The author shares their experience dealing with their son, Harry, being bullied at school by Cooper. Despite Harry’s desire for Cooper’s friendship, the constant harassment took a toll on him. With the parent’s support fostering Harry’s self-confidence and the school’s intervention, Harry was able to move away from Cooper and form new friendships. The author…
A high school English teacher delves into the importance of reading and its decline as a habit, particularly among boys. The disparity in academic achievement between genders underlines this issue. The teacher provides guidance to encourage children to read, including being a reading role model, setting goals, establishing reading routines, finding appealing books, and incorporating…
The seven long-stemmed, white roses strewn across the sand on a midmorning beach walk have lingered in my thoughts. Everyone was at work this warm summer’s Tuesday but I was on leave. Oscar, my dog and I had the beach to ourselves. Tranquil waves held the secrets of the bay as they lapped rhythmically onto…
Remember in 2019 when Monstera was having a moment? It’s still lingering, mostly printed on fabrics hanging on the sales rack. I remember an early summer evening while pruning a Monstera for cuttings from an abandoned house on Wimbledon Ave. Cynthia, a prolific ‘collector’ of cuttings — typically succulents- had discovered a lush, large Monstera…
The humble loaf of bread has gained a notorious and unfair reputation over the past decade. Anita and Hendrik’s Mt Eliza, Bütterken Bakery (VIC, Australia) is here to restore our faith in one of our oldest eating traditions. Anita and Hendrik are baking and selling healthy, sustainable and delicious breads. They blend a sprinkling of German tradition…
Teach with technology. More importantly teach teenagers how to use it. A talented teacher will use a variety of teaching techniques to meet the vast range of learning styles in a classroom, where each student is unique — genetically and experientially. Technology (such as laptops, internet, YouTube, educational games, email, Learning Management Systems, data bases,…
and other cliches. Cliches are overused terms, enduring because they are phrases that hold some value. Over time meaning can change, and they can take on greater relevance. ‘Ignorance is bliss’ is more pertinent than ever amidst the information age. Other cliches are blatantly wrong, such as ‘Boys don’t cry,’ perpetuating harmful stereotypes about masculinity.…
I’ve worked in a prestigious Australian private school for 22 years. The School is in an affluent village overlooking the sea with pristine beaches. It is a stark contrast to the very small rural, state high school I attended in the South Island of New Zealand and also the farm I grew up on. Just…
Not a day goes by that I don’t see someone with their hand wrapped around what appears to be a USB stick, sucking on one end of it and exhaling thin smoke. It seems also, more adults are smoking cigarettes, which I thought was a dying habit — excuse the pun. The ABS states (2020–2021)…
The measure of a great novel is when immediately after dinner I am impatient to get into bed and read my book. ‘Something bad is Going to Happen’ had me utterly hooked. Some sections resonated with me with astute observations while others took me by surprise. We are invited into an intelligent 20something women’s mind…
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If not now, when? 