Education Matters

The social media minimum age legislation, which came into effect on 10 December 2025, was billed as a national intervention for children and families. The timing was jarring, dropping into the final fortnight of Term 4, when some senior students had already finished for the year.

Then came the six-week break. When teachers returned for Term 1, 2026, the ecosystems students inhabited socially had changed. What wasn’t known was how this would ripple through the staffroom and into daily pedagogical decision making.

In the lead up to the ban, Education Matters spoke to three experts – Beaconhills College Executive Principal Mr Steve McGinley, Deakin University Senior Research Fellow Dr Luci Pangrazio and Monash University psychologist Professor Marie Yap – about what potentially lay ahead.

https://educationmattersmag.com.au/beyond-the-ban-what-social-media-age-restrictions-mean-for-school-life/

Victorian public school teachers, principals and education support staff will escalate industrial action from the start of Term 2, with further stoppages planned on a rolling, region-by-region basis.

Victorian public school staff escalate industrial action - Education Matters Magazine Victorian public school teachers, principals and education support staff will escalate industrial action from the start of Term 2, with further stoppages planned on a rolling, region-by-region basis.

Teaching has changed, but a strong start still matters, writes former secondary principal Andrew Murray. Grounded planning, relational routines, coherent systems and supported staff wellbeing set up success for 2026.
https://educationmattersmag.com.au/back-to-school-a-strong-start-for-a-changing-profession/

As workloads intensify and roles expand, principal wellbeing is inseparable from teacher wellbeing, demanding systemic reform to make school leadership sustainable long term, writes Australian Principals Federation - Victoria President, Mr Andrew C**k.
https://educationmattersmag.com.au/under-pressure-the-human-cost-of-school-leadership/

“This is for the teachers who have been the subject of heinous cyber-bullying, and for every victim who was told the law couldn’t help – because now we are changing that” – Deb Frecklington MP
https://educationmattersmag.com.au/queensland-to-criminalise-ai-deepfake-abuse-as-schools-face-rising-cyberbullying-concerns/

From AI in classrooms to trauma-informed strategies, Brisbane’s National Education Summit offers four conference streams packed with practical tools, fresh ideas, and professional learning opportunities for educators.
https://educationmattersmag.com.au/four-streams-one-shared-learning-focus/

Nominations are now open for the 2026 National Excellence in Teaching Awards, celebrating the passion and impact of teachers across Australia and New Zealand.

Do you know an educator making a difference? Now’s the time to recognise them.

Education Matters recently profiled one of last year's winners, Frankston East Primary School Principal Mr Warren Bull.

The NEITA Foundation

https://educationmattersmag.com.au/nominations-open-to-celebrate-australasias-most-inspiring-teachers/

Victoria is set to become the first state to legislate restrictions on phones, smartwatches and earbuds across all schools from 2027, expanding its landmark classroom phone ban.
Ben Carroll MP

https://educationmattersmag.com.au/victoria-first-to-legislate-school-ban-on-wearable-devices/

The Elite range builds on Felton Industries established grandstand portfolio, introducing individual plastic bucket seating, a deeper structural profile, and a reinforced backrest.
https://educationmattersmag.com.au/schools-prioritise-comfort-and-accessibility-with-new-elite-grandstand-seating-range/

A new report reveals Teach For Australia is strengthening Australia’s school leadership pipeline, with Alumni moving into leadership roles faster than the national average. 📚

Teach For Australia strengthens leadership pipeline amid principal shortage concerns - Education Matters Magazine A new report has found Teach For Australia (TFA) is helping address growing concerns about Australia’s school leadership pipeline, with alumni progressing into leadership roles significantly faster than the broader teaching workforce.

A cluster of primary schools on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula are banding together, sharing leadership, resources and relationships to better support students, staff and families across their communities.

Thanks to Frankston East Primary School, The NEITA Foundation and The Smith Family for sharing this story with Education Matters.

https://educationmattersmag.com.au/principally-speaking-stronger-together/

A new white paper highlights future student population trends in Australia, showing declining numbers in inner suburbs, growth in outer areas, and rising demand for early childhood education.

Australia’s school populations face shifting demographics, white paper finds - Education Matters Magazine A new white paper highlights future student population trends in Australia, showing declining numbers in inner suburbs, growth in outer areas, and rising demand for early childhood education.