For many of us, the biggest worry about the school year ahead isn’t likely to be what’s on the curriculum. It’s all those back-to-school expenses that seem to come up all at once before the school year starts: laptops and devices, new shoes and uniforms, stationery and supplies. Not to mention the school camp deposit or school photos and everything else that might come up. While Australian public school tuition is free, thanks to all those “extra”[...]

Ask a parent in Hobart or Brisbane what their child’s first year of school is, and they’ll say “prep.” In Sydney and Canberra, it’s “kindy”. In Melbourne, “foundation”, and in Darwin, “transition.” And the name for the certificate at the end of Year 12 is different too, even though it permits entry to every university in Australia. Basically, they’re all the same thing going by different names. It’s kind of like the Australian public education system, which[...]

Every year when Year 12 and NAPLAN results are released, many families scour the tables to see which schools have performed “best”. Media headlines clickbait about schools that have topped the league tables, or most improved their scores. We are told that choosing a school is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your child, and it can often feel overwhelming. Between conflicting headlines and constantly changing league tables, advice from other parents and playground tittle[...]

Jason Ardler PSM shared with our CEO David Riordan some unique insights on NAIDOC Week.   Discover Jason Ardler's perspective per below: Q1. Why is NAIDOC Week so important? What we now call NAIDOC began in 1938 with the declaration of a Day of Mourning, first observed on Australia Day to coincide with the 150th anniversary of white settlement. From 1955, Aborigines Day shifted to the first Sunday in July to become, not simply be a day of[...]

Emeritus Professor Michael McDaniel AO FRSN met with our CEO David Riordan to share his profound insights about NAIDOC Week.  Discover Emeritus Professor Michael McDaniel's unique perspective and wisdom in this enlightening discussion: https://youtu.be/BLIl1RPN4-A Michael McDaniel is a member of the Kalari Clan of the Wiradjuri Nation of Central NSW with a distinguished career in Indigenous higher education and record of service to the arts, culture and the community spanning more than three decades. Michael is a[...]