The words of a primary school learning support coordinator are still ringing in my ears, “There are so many damaged children in this class it makes you cry”. This comment, although quite alarming to a parent or community member, is getting far too familiar in primary schools around this state.

To a primary school teacher, a damaged student means a child who will probably grow up to be a damaged adult; an adult who will have difficulty with relationships, struggle with a permanent job because of their poor literacy skills, have a high probability of abusing illegal substances, be susceptible to mental health issues and probably spend some time in a jail.

In the past, these children were nearly always from low socio-economic areas, however, schools from all areas are now having to deal with at-risk children.

Click here to download the complete article in a PDF file.

Read more: Damaged Children, Damaged Society - An Opinion Piece

This report, launched by the Minister for School Education, The Hon. Peter Garrett, earlier this year, can now be pubished here for all AGPPA members. It was the report from a three year project conducted by four academics from universities across Australia, in partnership with AGPPA and the Foundation for Young Australians.

The report outlines the results of research into how the purposes of education are understood and enacted in Australian Primary Schools and in the wider community. Click here to go to the report's website page for the report and associated papers and links.

AGPPA has made a submission to the Review of School Funding in response to the four research papers commission by the review panel. Click here to download the AGPPA submission.

AGPPA has released 3 new Discussion Papers They are:

• Australian Curriculum

• Empowering Local Schools

• Online Diagnostic Tools 

Click here or on the Discussion Papers menu item above to view and download the papers.