Education Matters

12/01/2026

Open to students and student groups from both International Baccalaureate and non-IB schools, the annual fund supports youth-led initiatives that address global or local challenges within their communities. Applications close on 30 January 2026.

Applications are now open for the International Baccalaureate’s (IB) Global Youth Action Fund, offering grant funding and mentorship to secondary school students aged 12 to 19 who are leading projects with a positive social impact.

11/01/2026

A significant number of government and non-government schools, outdoor education centres and outside school hours care (OSHC) services in the North-Eastern Victoria Region have been closed.

Dozens of schools across Victoria have been closed as fire activity continues to disrupt communities, with the greatest impact felt in the state’s north-east.

09/01/2026

The Smith Family CEO Mr Doug Taylor says the impact of students not having everything they need for school can have serious and wide-ranging implications.

More than four in five Australian families are worried about being able to afford everything their children need for the 2026 school year, according to the latest Pulse Survey.

08/01/2026

The error affected seven state schools and two non-state schools, impacting around 140 students.

The Queensland Government has released the independent panel report into the incorrect teaching of an Ancient History topic to Year 12 students at nine Queensland schools in 2025.

07/01/2026

Mindalk Primary School in Truganina is one of 19 new schools in Victoria set to open in Term 1 this year.

A record 19 new schools will open across Victoria in Term 1, 2026, providing thousands of students in some of the state’s fastest growing communities with access to local education options.

06/01/2026

Nine QUT (Queensland University of Technology) students have become the inaugural graduates of an Australian Government–funded program, after spending the final stages of their degrees teaching in regional schools.

The first cohort of students from Queensland University of Technology’s Employing Queensland: Innovative Pathways to Teaching (EQuIPT) program has graduated, marking a milestone for an initiative designed to help address teacher shortages in regional, rural and remote Queensland schools.

23/12/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we’d like to thank our readers and partners for your continued support throughout the year.

Your work, ideas and collaborations shape the conversations that matter in education, and we’re proud to share your stories. It has been a pleasure to work with the schools featured on our covers this year: Reddam House Sydney, Yarra Valley Grammar, Kingsway Christian College, Loreto College, Marryatville, SA, Barker College and Camberwell High School.

From all of us at Education Matters, we wish you a safe, restful and well-deserved break, and a Merry Christmas to you and your school communities. We look forward to continuing the conversation in 2026.

22/12/2025

Dr Abhinava Barthakur, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning at UniSA Education Futures, explains why context matters for students on placement.
University of South Australia
https://educationmattersmag.com.au/one-degree-two-classrooms-why-teacher-training-must-reflect-real-world-school-contexts/

22/12/2025

Thousands of Victorian public school teachers and education support staff are being forced to choose between their profession and securing a place to live, according to new housing research commissioned by the AEU Victorian Branch.

Thousands of Victorian public school teachers and education support staff are being forced to choose between their profession and securing a place to live, according to new housing research.

21/12/2025

Mr Andy Mison, President of the Australian Secondary Principals' Association, explains why teacher and leader wellbeing must drive workforce reform.

Mr Andy Mison, President of the Australian Secondary Principals' Association, explains why teacher and leader wellbeing must drive workforce reform.

18/12/2025

Independent Schools Australia has welcomed the announcement of a 12-month taskforce to ensure the Australian education system prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism.

Mr David Gonski AC has been appointed to lead a 12-month taskforce to ensure the Australian education system prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism.

18/12/2025

Courageous conversations define school leadership – but they can drain us. Former principal and guest speaker Mr Andrew Murray explains why isn’t optional and how simple resets help leaders stay present and lead with care.

Courageous conversations define school leadership – but they can drain us. Former principal and guest speaker Mr Andrew Murray explains why wellbeing isn’t optional and how simple resets help leaders stay present and lead with care.