The COVID-19 pandemic may feel like a distant memory to some, but for many parents, its effects linger in the form of a “pandemic hangover.” This term refers to the ongoing challenges families face as they attempt to rebuild routines and restore a sense of normalcy after years of disruption. From disrupted sleep schedules to…

Bullying in Schools: Then and Now  Bullying in schools is not a new issue; it has existed since formal education systems emerged in the 19th century. In the early 20th century, bullying behaviours were largely unrecognised or dismissed, reflecting the social norms and educational priorities of the time, which often overlooked children’s emotional and psychological…

By ROB MASON As the Team Leader, Social Worker – Student Wellbeing at Virtual School Victoria (VSV), I’m excited to share our school’s unique history, mission, and significant role in Victoria’s education landscape. VSV, formerly the Correspondence School, then the Distance Education Centre Victoria, is now the state’s leading virtual school. While we educate over…

In Victoria, parents have the choice to enrol their children in a registered school, or to register their child for homeschooling with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). Homeschooling regulations permit learning outside of the home, however they do not permit parents to outsource their responsibility to an unregistered school. Recently, the VRQA has…

THERE IS MORE TO THE BREATH WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT I worked as a nurse a long time ago, and one of the areas in which I specialised was the ICU. If you never need to go to ICU for care, that is good. The ICU is the place you go when you need…

FINDING EASE IN THE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD – IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A TUG-OF-WAR! The game of tug-a-war  Do you remember the game ‘tug-of-war’? You probably have some idea of what it is. I remember playing it in sport.   We were divided into two teams of equal numbers. Each team was positioned along…

The holidays are not far away, and for many of you, they may not come quickly enough. Maybe you have had one of ‘those years’ where your stress levels have been pushed to new heights, or it could be that it feels like you are pushing harder to get the same amount done every day.…

Melbourne, Victoria – The Victorian Parents Council Inc (VPC) expresses its deep concern regarding the recent turmoil surrounding the VCE examinations, which has caused significant distress among students, parents, and educators. With reports indicating that more than 20,000 VCE students were affected, the integrity of our education system is at stake. The VPC believes it…

TO PUSH OR NOT TO PUSH? THIS IS THE QUESTION TO ASK “Is it ok to push my child?”How do we know if pushing our children is helping or hindering their progress? Balancing pushing your child with knowing when to hold back is a delicate task that requires sensitivity, understanding, and flexibility.   There can be…