Total Education Blog

The APN press recently ran an article by Dr Ali Black, a lecturer in early childhood teacher education at the University of the Sunshine Coast. The article was titled ‘Is Curriculum Pressure Killing Student’s Joy?’. In it Dr Black reflects on her experience of her daughter not wanting to return to school because of a general lack of joy in the classroom.

The Year 12 presentation to the combined parent meeting last Friday night was on the topic Risk Taking. The students worked in pairs and provided humorous but thoughtful insights into why they might take risks and the upsides and downsides to the behaviour.

"Why is the idea that the pursuit of self-centred happiness will lead to contentment so adhesive? I wake up every day newly baptised into the cult of individualism. I wish I was more like my mum or my nan, who find joy in nourishing others". So writes Russell Brand in his book 'Revolution'.