I met Julie at work, when we were sub-editors at The Courier-Mail. We worked side-by-side for years and I always loved her company. It wasn’t until right towards the end of our respective stints in the salt mines that I…
Category: Education
An insider’s view on the new powers for school principals to exclude students
GUEST BLOG: I know a lovely blogger who works in an area of the government that makes it impossible for them to post this on their own site. I am posting it for them here. This person has insights and…
Can I help my child make friends?
FIRST of all, let me be clear – my child is happy, well-adjusted and doing OK. Great report card and this adorable kid comes home from school happy most days. This blog post is about motherhood and the struggle we…
To ban or not to ban toy guns – that is the question!
FOLLOWING our discussion on ABC radio 612 Brisbane last week, (in case you missed it you can hear the podcast here) I’ve been giving some thought to Naomi from Seven Cherubs‘ position of banning certain things that you don’t want…
A tale of two mothers and the first day of school
THE first day of school is a major milestone in the motherhood journey. Whether it’s your first or your third child off to begin their institutionalised learning, it’s a big step for them and for mum. Some mums cry, sad…
Swearing by all that is civilised and well mannered
AT breakfast the other morning, my five-year-old daughter picked up the cereal box to pour some into her bowl and discovered her brothers had emptied it ahead of her. “What the hell?” came out of her mouth, as she glared…
Radio prank nurse suicide: any lessons to be learned?
The UK nurse who killed herself following an Australian talkback radio prank has left the chattering classes all atwitter with recriminations about who is to blame for the tragic turn of events. The hospital, the radio jocks, the nurse’s colleagues…
Tuckshop orders up some volunteer fun
I have just finished my first stint as tuckshop helper – and it was a revelation. My boys are in Year 2 and Year 1, so it’s a job I’ve been gearing up for, along with joining the P&C. (What…
Easter reveals its pagan beginnings
Easter is a deeply religious holiday for Christians but when I did some research on this festive time I learned it pre-dates Christianity and has pagan roots. And that many of the symbols we associate with Christianity – eggs and…
Religion in schools
So, in an odd coincidence, this week religion, and of course, atheism reared their controversial heads again. I learned this week that my children’s school has overlooked my wishes for my children to be excluded from religion classes and has…