3 February: I have written to all APPA members asking for feedback on your experiences with the Australian Government's My School website.We are going to publish the feedback that we receive from principals across Australia on this website, so that you can share your colleagues' stories. Click here to go to the feedback page, where you can also download and read my letter to our members. You can send your feedback to APPA This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

28 January: We have issued a media release calling for more information to be included on the My School website. We urge all APPA members to read the media release - click here to read and download it. APPA will continue to provide feedback to the Australian Government on the views of its members on this issue. You can send your feedback to APPA This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

20 January: "APPA joins with the rest of the world in expressing our horror at the recent Haiti earthquake disaster. Upon your return to work in the next couple of weeks, I am sure you and you colleagues will be fielding question from studnets who have been exposed to tragic images and stories of loss. APPA urges you to support the SchoolAid Haiti Earthquake Emergency Appeal." Click here to download Leonie Trimper's letter to all school leaders, and click here to go to the SchoolAid website for more information about how you and your students can help the young people of Haiti rebuild their lives.

18 January: APPA is delighted to announce the appointment of Liz Furler as the new CEO of Principals Australia. As one of the 4 owners of Principals Australia, APPA is looking forward to working with Liz to support the professional learning of primary principals in Catholic, Government and Independent schools. Click on the News item to the right to read the complete announcement of her appointment.

18 January: The national MySchool website at www.myschool.edu.au will be launched on 28 January. For some of you that will be only Day 2 of the start of the school year. If you go to the MySchool website now, you will find a range of support material which I urge you to read. A paper by Margaret Wu: "Interpreting NAPLAN results for the Layperson" is also a must-read. It is available from our website - click here to download it. Keep an eye on our website for regular updates.

18 January 2010: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today released Australian research on the 'Method of Shared Concern' which seeks to resolve cases of bullying without the use of punishment. This approach seeks to empower students who have contributed to bullying or become aware of bullying to act. The Government understands that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to bullying in our schools but has been determined to provide teachers and school leaders with a range of tools to help them deal with bullying. Click here to read her full press release and download a copy of the research report.

The World Health Organization, government experts around the world, as well as the Australian Prime Minister, agree there is a real need for children to wash their hands with soap and water. This need was exacerbated by the recent swine flu pandemic. It is also agreed among Principals, educators, parents and health professionals that until now there is no one truly effective hand hygiene method or policy for all schools. It is believed by many that the Soapstream Hand Hygiene System will go a long way in solving this problem. The Soapstream Hand Hygiene System incorporates a water saving push tap with a soap dispenser. Click here for more information, including a short video demonstration.Stories of Us is a unique series of Australian education resources for primary students to support anti-bullying programs in schools. The resources centre on films developed and made with students, and have proven to be uncommonly effective in the classroom. The films are compelling as they draw on the collective experience of the students, holding a mirror to their reality with such authenticity that many students watching them are convinced they are real. There are two resources in the primary series – Bullying and Belonging.