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Indigenous Teaching Scholarship applications now open
Applications are now open for the 2010 Governor-General's Indigenous Student Teacher Scholarship program. This program supports one Indigenous student in every state and territory to obtain a teaching degree. Applications close 9 April this year. DEEWR, 12 March 2010.

Indigenous perspectives in the National Curriculum: Five fast facts
The draft of the new national curriculum, to be delivered to all schools nationally once it has been finalised, has three 'cross-curriculum dimensions': 'Indigenous perspectives', 'Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia' and 'commitment to sustainable living'. Some fast facts put the Indigenous perspectives in context. Reconciliation Australia, 11 March 2010.

Call to set maths whiz targets
Australia needs to make boosting maths a national priority and follow Britain in setting national targets for increasing the number of school students studying the subject at higher levels, the country's maths professors have warned. The Australian, 11 March 2010.

Principals want IT technicians
High school principals fear the Rudd government's $2 billion computer rollout will force teachers out of the classroom unless schools employ full-time IT technicians. The Australian, 10 March 2010.

Maths + students equals fail
A new report says the state of maths in Australian schools has deteriorated to a 'dangerous level' and will require universities to lower standards and provide remedial programs to help under-prepared students. ABC News, 10 March 2010.

Draft National Professional Standards for Teachers: Consultation
The new draft Standards describe what is required of teachers at four levels of professional expertise. Input regarding the Standards are sought from members of the profession and the wider education community. All feedback will be considered by an expert working group. The public consultation process on the draft National Professional Standards for Teachers closes on 7 May 2010. MCEECDYA, March 2010.

SCIS expression of interest sought for professional learning in SA schools
The Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS) is seeking expressions of interest for a four hour training session 'Making the most of SCIS'. If there is sufficient interest, training sessions will be held in South Australia in the week commencing 17 May 2010. This training will highlight how SCIS cataloguing products can assist in providing a more effective library service to school communities. SCIS, March 2010.

Zero tolerance for bullying
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says there should be a national policy of zero tolerance for bullying in schools, with powers for principals and teachers to intervene. ABC News, 4 March 2010.

UK teachers' desk-side manner to be tested
New UK teachers could be tested for their desk-side manner and screened for empathy, understanding and passion under government plans to improve the quality of teaching. BBC News, 3 March 2010.

Teens who spend less time glued to screens may relate better to peers
A newly published study found that young people who watched more TV tended to have poorer relationships with both their friends and parents. University of Otago, 2 March 2010.