![Wedding surprise](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/e/w/l/z/image.related.landscape.380x253.gteul3.png/1482889668151.jpg)
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![Christian Bucks with his 'buddy bench'.](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/z/8/v/0/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2z8uv.gjzq9j.png/1444092976992.jpg)
Second-grader stamps out loneliness in the playground with a 'buddy bench'
Christian Bucks, a second-grader from York in America, came up with a heart-warming idea to ensure children in his schoolyard need never feel lonely again.
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What is your child’s learning style?
Just like personalities, people have different learning styles. By understanding how your child learns you can help them get the most out of their schooling.
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![engaged school child](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/o/m/0/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.2olw5.gjzq9j.png/1444092976992.jpg)
![Overworked Kids](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/o/f/8/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.2orcg.gjzq9j.png/1444092976992.jpg)
Latest
![I couldn't help thinking how all the kids who didn't get an award were feeling.](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/9/n/w/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt9nuk.png/1481573699692.jpg)
What to do when your child doesn't get an end of year school award
I couldn't help thinking how all the kids in the room who didn't get an award were feeling. Hadn't they worked hard too?
![Should parents be graded on their commitment to their child's education?](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/5/z/g/6/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt5zno.png/1481616310970.jpg)
The school 'grading' parents on their commitment to education
While most parents welcome an assessment of their kids' performance at school, they do not expect their own input to be evaluated.
![Confused: The latest PISA result showed the Australian school student reading score dropped from 512 to 503 between 2012 ...](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/3/h/e/t/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt3qog.png/1481289718906.jpg)
What to say if your child asks, 'what's the point of maths?'
As a parent – or even teacher – you are likely to have been asked the question: “What’s the point of maths?”
![Just another typical end-of-school celebration...](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/m/8/g/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt1vt7.png/1480880801779.jpg)
All schooled out
And so begins the last two weeks of school: a peculiar time of year when the whole schooliverse flips on its head.
![Mitcham Primary School students Jack and Aidan have been programming drones as part of the school's innovative STEM program.](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/0/2/m/5/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt04fv.png/1481086911478.jpg)
'Eight students in every class have no idea what is going on'
What maths and science skills would you expect a 10-year-old to have?
![Australian students plummet in international maths and science rankings.](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/v/z/h/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.gszvt1.png/1480474713728.jpg)
Australian students now behind Kazakhstan in maths and science rankings
"Clearly, we have a problem."
![Parents are not happy about unisex toilets being introduced at a UK school.](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/l/g/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.gszle7.png/1480373809620.jpg)
Outrage over unisex school toilets
A primary school is under fire after introducing gender-neutral restrooms as part of a recent refurbishment.
![The Victorian government has mandated swimming lessons in primary schools.](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/3/s/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsz99l.png/1480371597914.jpg)
Mandatory swimming lessons a stroke of luck for cash-strapped parents
An ambitious plan to ensure every student can swim 50 metres by the time they finish grade 6 could have an unintended consequence – free lessons.
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Girl raps her way to school captaincy and becomes internet sensation
A 10-year-old Queensland girl has rapped her way to school captaincy with an election speech like no other.
![Canberra Grammar Northside Junior School students learning Mandarin.](/web/20170107073103im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/1/b/6/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsvf6k.png/1479929920141.jpg)
Why learning Chinese should be compulsory in our schools
Asian literacy matters. Yet even a cursory look at figures for participation in year 12 Chinese reveals the extent of our failing
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Why this mum's rant about school dress up days has struck a chord with parents
If you feel like your kids are constantly bringing notes home about the latest school "dress up" day – then you're not alone.
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