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Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard . Picture : Matt Loxton / NewsCorp .
Early learners
Report calls for universal preschool for threeyear-olds in SA .
By Laura Mazzitelli
Children as young as three could be attending preschool in South Australia following the recommendations of a Royal Commission report released in April .
Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard launched A Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care last year .
Ms Gillard said the report should be of interest to all South Australians even if they do not have , or want , any young children themselves .
“ We have a moral obligation to make sure every child has the best opportunity to grow and learn and thrive ,” she said .
One of the report ’ s core recommendations pushed for a 15-hour week of preschool access for three-yearold children by 2026 .
The approach could cost the state around $ 162.7m annually , with around $ 111.2m required to build 32 new early childhood education and care services .
Emeritus Professor at University of SA Marjory Ebbeck said continuity of care was essential and that the recommendations put forward by the report should be addressed “ carefully .”
“ I ’ m very pleased that three-yearolds will be developmentally assessed ,” Professor Ebbeck told Education Review .
“ This is a big improvement as the earlier this assessment occurs , the better the chances are for getting specialist care .”
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said the state ’ s early childhood education reforms have “ the power to change young people ’ s lives .”
“ We need every last young kid to be able to fulfil their potential if we are going to realise our economic ambitions and opportunities over the course of the next 20 to 30 years ,” he said .
Children and families in SA currently have access to early childhood education and care settings , but choice in some parts of SA is more limited when compared to other states , according to the report .
“ We need to increase the number of teachers who are trained to work with children who have additional needs ,” Professor Ebbeck said .
“ Parents in rural and remote areas need services , particularly for children who are at risk .”
The state government is due to respond to the Royal Commission by the 19th of May .
A final report is due to be released in August . ■
The King ’ s School is one of Sydney ’ s oldest private schools . Picture : Supplied .
‘ Difficult ’
Sydney principal speaks on goanna death .
By NCA NewsWire
The headmaster of an elite Sydney school has back-pedalled on a confirmation from his own administration that senior students had killed a native lizard on a school camping trip .
The King ’ s School , in North Parramatta , has been at the centre of shocking allegations that some students “ decided it would be funny ” to kill a goanna on their annual cadet camp in March .
In a statement the school confirmed the animal was killed and that they “ did not condone ” the behaviour of the students .
But headmaster Tony George broke his silence on the saying the facts were yet to be established .
“ A goanna is dead ; that ’ s certainly the case ,” Mr George told 2GB Radio .
“ As to how , and what was involved , we don ’ t actually know the details yet .”
This year ’ s King ’ s School training camp was held in the Hunter Valley area and was attended by more than 800 students .
According to the all-boy school , the training camp which started over a century ago helps students develop their “ capabilities , leadership skills and resilience in an environment of challenge and adventure ”.
Mr George said there ’ s a “ realm of possibility ” the animal wasn ’ t tortured and killed by the students , but noted the allegation was enough to merit a police investigation .
“ Schools are neither policing nor investigative agencies ; we are to make ourselves available to the relevant authorities , and support them , so we do that ,” Mr George said .
“ It ’ s pretty difficult for ( the students ) and it ’ s also difficult for their families , because these kinds of things are not straightforward and simple .”
Headmaster George spent the best part of this week defending the school ’ s reputation against the reports .
Now he has come out swinging with a lengthy 2500-word statement – including a suggested reading list – shared to the school ’ s website on Monday .
“ Why are the tabloids and virtuous trolls so keen and excited to shame independent schools , especially those deemed ‘ elite ’?” Mr George writes .
“ Why is it that some people want to delight in the failure of others , especially if they are seen to be elite or successful ?
“ Is it due to what some call Australia ’ s tall poppy syndrome ? Or perhaps more cynically , is it simply what drives reader interest and , therefore , the economics of today ’ s tabloids – gossip , rumour and innuendo ?”
Allerted by staff , NSW Police are currently investigating the incident which allegedly happened in March 29 while the senior students attended the long-running annual corps camp .
The investigation is ongoing , but it is not clear if the students were responsible for the goanna ’ s death . ■
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