My School stops schools being left behind
110 struggling schools that have results that are below both the national average and those for statistically similar schools in all areas on the NAPLAN national tests will share in $11 million in extra funding designed to ensure students improve their literacy and numeracy. Minister for Education, 7 February 2010.

NSW teachers warned about befriending students on social websites
Under a revised code of conduct effective from this year, NSW public school teachers have been told not to not invite students into your personal social networking site if it contains personal information. Daily Telegraph, 31 January 2010.

A flying start for Queensland Children
The Queensland Government has launched a discussion paper on the future of education as part of its plan to provide all Queensland children with a flying start in life. People can complete an online survey or send a response by 30 June 2010. Queensland Government, February 2010.

CensusAtSchool 2010 is open now
The CensusAtSchool questionnaire is now available from the ABS web site, for your students. This resource is a great way to teach statistical concepts using data that is rich, real and relevant. The questionnaire asks about behaviours and attitudes as well as physical measurements so the data can be used well beyond the mathematics classroom. ABS, 2 February 2010.

Parent school quality surveys may be added to My School
If re-elected the Rudd Government will work with the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority to further empower parents by surveying their satisfaction with schools, with the survey results to be disclosed on the My School website. Prime Minister, 31 January 2010.

Music 'can boost wider learning'
Learning a musical instrument in a group can have wide-ranging positive effects on a child's learning at school, a UK study says. BBC News, 29 January 2010.

9 million hits on first day of My School
The overwhelming interest of parents and the Australian community in the new My School website has been welcomed. Minister for Education, 29 January 2010.

Prime Minister defends My School website
Providing good information about schools is vitally important as parents only have one chance to get their child's education right, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says. Sydney Morning Herald, 29 January 2010.

My School website to disclose funding sources for schools
The next step in the Federal Government's Education Revolution will reveal how much all private and public schools are receiving in government funding. Courier Mail, 29 January 2010.

My School website launched
The My School website was officially launched on 28 January. My School contains important information about each of Australia's 10,000 schools including the number of students at the school, the number of teachers at the school and how the school is performing in national literacy and numeracy testing. DEEWR Media release, 28 January 2010.