15 June 2015

It's sobering to think we need a day to highlight abuse of the elderly. Given the abuse is often by family members, it is particularly upsetting. In Australia, elderly abuse is mainly financial, apparently. Read what Gerard Mansour, the Commissioner for Senior Victorians, wrote.

Find news tagged: General News

14 June 2015

Many schools are looking for the right shows for their students. Don't leave it too long to book. With school timetables so full, getting students out or even finding a time to get an incursion in, is not easy. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the date that suits best. 

It's not surprising so many teachers make bookings out of school hours - the school day is simply too full. This is where Shows For Schools is a great tool. Use us!

Find news tagged: General News

8 June 2015

Slave away WA !  The rest of the country is taking a long weekend. September probably seems a long way away.

Find news tagged: General News

1 June 2015

Many of the bigger productions for school students tour Australia. This year, Stripey - the eggscellent adventures of an emu chick, The 26-Storey Treehouse, Kelly to name a few, have relied on Federal Government funding to tour to theatres in other states. The budget cut $23 million from the Australia Council and as a result, they have withdrawn the June funding round for touring applications. This could have a devastating impact on the industry and therefore what you can see in your local theatre. 

At SFS we advocate the arts and education. In this budget, the arts and education were damaged. 

Find news tagged: General News

1 June 2015

June already. Winter. Term 2 nearly over. 2015 flying. 

Find news tagged: General News

25 May 2015

In a moment of nail biting anticipation, the winning Shows For Schools Subscriber was drawn today. The prize - a free incursion from Regional Arts Victoria to any school in Victoria, with a choice of shows! Drum Roll - the winner is Rosalie Birney of Gladstone Park Primary - a school in a north western outer suburb of Melbourne.

Her reaction?

I am thrilled- what a great experience for our students!

Congratulations to Rosalie and her lucky students from all of us here at SFS and from Suzi Cordell and her team at RAV. Rosalie's chosen the superb "FAIRY TALE COOKBOOK"

More details to come.

Don't miss out on other SFS offers! Subscribe here. 

Find news tagged: General News

24 May 2015

Queensland academic, Stewart Riddle, has assessed the recent budget and given it an overall F.

Perhaps this is because there does not seem to be an overrarching plan from this government. They have confirmed they won't fund the final two years of Gonski. A failure to fund growth in education costs, too, will see a $30 billion shortfall from 2018. 

One thing he noted could cause us all to become cyncial -  in this budget the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership received $16.9 million to help improve teacher quality. In last year's budget, the same organisation had a cut of $19.9 million. 

Read the whole rather depressing article here

Find news tagged: General News

14 May 2015

In yet another inspired action, Education Minister, Christopher Pyne, has cut funding from The Conversation.

This is such a reliable source of reputable information. Created by Andrew Jaspan here in Australia, giving public voice to experts in universities to inform in every debate, Pyne should be offering more, not no funding.

In a few short years, the innovative online newspaper, The Conversation, has acheived a readership of 2.2 million a month. With the Australian Conversation as the mothership, TC is now launched in the UK, USA, Africa with several more countries queued to follow.

It is an incredible achievement, putting Australia in the forefront of international journalism with content from our universities. So one has to ask why Pyne would remove funding from this successful not-for -profit outfit?

We hope TC can keep going - their articles are fantastic.

Join their conversation here

Find news tagged: General News

14 May 2015

It's no surprise the last two years of the Gonski reforms have not received funding from this government. What is surprising is give arts funding to Canberra bureaucracy rather than to the Australia Council to dispense. This suggests dissatisfaction with the Aus Co. Read the article here 

Find news tagged: General News

12 May 2015

Next APAM at Brisbane Powerhouse in February 22 - 26, 2016. Applications open now. Close July 1.

Go here 

Find news tagged: General News

9 May 2015

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is calling for submissions for the 2016 VCE Drama and Theatre Studies Playlist.

Email questions or request the application form at vce.playlist@edumail.vic.gov.au

It's great the advice date is now November. Much better timing for arts companies and theatres. Good luck!

Image: 2015 Playlist Production: I call my brothers, MTC - by Jonas Hassen Khermiri & Rachel Willson-Broyles (Translater). Touring now through Regional Arts Victoria

Find news tagged: General News

7 May 2015

Neil Armfield and Rachel Healy are to jointly direct the Adelaide Festivals of 2017, 2018 and 2019. The team that built Belvoir is back! Can't wait to see what they do.  Read more about their incredible credentials. 

Find news tagged: General News