news
Breath of fresh air
Research shows teachers want more classes outside .
Teachers feel ‘ immense pressure ’ juggling the curriculum and wish to run more classes outside in nature , a new study has shown .
Researchers from South Australia interviewed a dozen primary school teachers and principals about their experiences with outdoor learning .
The majority reported great benefits to their students ’ learning and wellbeing , but said they were too weighed down by demands of the curriculum to integrate outdoor classes into their daily schedule .
“ The curriculum is so crowded and the pressure on teachers is phenomenal ,” one teacher said .
“ The curriculum and the demands are ridiculous ,” another participant , a principal , told UniSA researchers .
There has been increasing evidence on the positive impacts of outdoor school activities on children ’ s learning and development .
A UK survey ran during COVID-19 found that outdoor classes had increased students ’ resilience and motivation to attend school , as well as helping their social skills .
In Australia , children are currently spending an average of five hours outside per week , and around nine hours looking at screens .
According to UniSA researcher Nicole Miller , teachers need increased support to ensure their students are spending enough time outside .
“ The teachers and principals we interviewed all described the immense pressure on educators , but they also believed that integrating nature-based play and learning into teaching was still possible ,” she said .
Miller said a more practical way for schools to embed more outdoor learning is to select a key staff member , ideally someone passionate about nature , to ‘ champion ’ regular programs and activities . “ One teacher we interviewed said that when the nature champion at their school departed , behaviour in the nature spaces became more negative , the children became less intentional in their use of the space and took to stick-fighting ,” she says . ■
‘ Ideological ’ change
Big change to school chaplaincy program .
The Albanese Labor government is moving to remove the compulsory religious element of the national school chaplaincy program .
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the major change was aimed at giving schools greater choice around pastoral care .
The voluntary scheme has received over a billion dollars in funding since its introduction in 2007 , and operates in more than 3000 state schools across Australia .
Currently , the program is only available to chaplains endorsed by a religious institution .
“ The government will open up the program to give schools the option to choose either a chaplain or a professionally qualified student welfare officer ,” the new education minister told NCA NewsWire .
“ We believe that principals and school communities are best placed to understand their students ’ needs , so we will give schools a choice about the services they need and the staff they hire .”
Australian Education Union boss Correna Haythorpe welcomed the news .
“ Public schools are no place for religious proselytising and instruction ,” she said .
“ The AEU has always said that students and families who need support should be able to access evidencebased mental health , social and wellbeing assistance from qualified professionals .”
Opposition education spokesman Alan Tudge said Labor ’ s changes were “ ideological ”.
“ Schools will come under pressure from activists not to employ chaplains , regardless of how effective they have been ,” Tudge said .
“ The chaplains employed by the schools are typically loved by the school community and work well beyond the two days per week of salary .”
State ministers are expected to meet soon to discuss the changes , which are said to come into effect at the beginning of next year . ■
4 | educationreview . com . au