Last year’s lockdowns were one of the toughest challenges most teachers have faced and Performing Arts teachers had unique hurdles to overcome. How would it be possible to provide performance opportunities when events were cancelled and students were learning remotely? For one school, these obstacles were an opportunity that led to their being crowned one of four National Story of the Year champions for 2020.
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National and international evidence suggest that equity, inclusivity and accessibility are essential to learning opportunities in Australia but the policy responses continue to be limited to unambitious tinkering at policy edges.
   There is strong evidence that major structural reform of the Australian education architecture is needed if we are to address the growing inequity across the Australian education system. Read more

Research shows that adequate care for children experiencing mental health issues is being delayed due to the severity and complexity of reported conditions, extended wait times and high out-of-pocket costs for families. Additionally, due to a shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists, current long waiting lists have led to “clinician burnout” that is set to create further impacts, particularly in regional areas.
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Winner of Google’s Game Changer Award and named Top Disruptor by BNN, Knowledgehook bills itself as the world’s most comprehensive mathematics learning platform.
   Knowledgehook has now launched in Australia as the nation’s teachers turn a corner in addressing low maths attainment levels for young people. It is now available to schools across the country for children in Year 3 to Year 10 classes, through The Learner First. Read more

IBM Australia, the Australian Museum (AM) and Macquarie University have launched a new challenge for Australian students to identify and help solve some of the planet’s greatest issues using artificial intelligence (AI).
   Registration for the IBM EdTech Youth Challenge is open to all schools throughout Australia for students in years 7 to 10, with more than $15k in prizes available for the winning ideas. Read more

TaxFox's tax expert Andrew Chia says “For teachers, we have identified the following examples which would be eligible deductions as part of preparing their tax return."
   1 General sun protection clothing and gear, these include a school hat, and sunscreen
   • We would recommend that all receipts are kept for all deductions claimed.
   • Consider using apps like TaxFox to electronically record and take photo evidence of these tax invoices. Read more