![Students in the middle of taking the opportunity class tests.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/j/q/x/j/image.related.landscape.380x253.p50f32.png/1542249649530.jpg)
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![Christian Bucks with his 'buddy bench'.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/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.
![index](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/q/o/p/9/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.1qoo3.gjzq9j.png/1444092976992.jpg)
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.
![naplan](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/y/e/q/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.1yhcc.gjzq9j.png/1444092976992.jpg)
![ethics](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/f/k/7/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.2fk5p.gjzq9j.png/1444092976992.jpg)
![engaged school child](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/o/m/0/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.2olw5.gjzq9j.png/1444092976992.jpg)
![Overworked Kids](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/o/f/8/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.2orcg.gjzq9j.png/1444092976992.jpg)
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![First day of school. Picture Phil Carrick. AFR. Generic school, education, funding, private school SPECIAL 29021](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/w/t/n/o/image.related.landscape.300x200.gua6v8.png/1487033020184.jpg)
Crackdown on families trying to game Sydney school catchments
Principals are asking parents to sign statutory declarations to ensure families are not gaming strict enrolment policies.
![This Year Three student has no time for homework.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/3/n/x/8/image.related.landscape.300x200.gu3mhy.png/1486004664628.png)
Kid's hilarious response to homework is all sass
The school year has begun and with it the dreaded afternoon battles over homework.
![One teacher gave her class a very special welcome.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/1/d/4/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.gu1945.png/1485842898037.jpg)
How one teacher made her students feel extra welcome this year
A Year Four teacher at a Queensland primary school went above and beyond to ensure her students were ready to start their school year - giving them goodie bags full of meaningful items.
![She is still a mother who just always wants the very best for her child.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/0/5/d/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gty8rs.png/1486887244034.jpg)
A note from the mother of 'that' child
Dear mamas in the schoolyard, I want to write you this letter in the hope that it may help you to understand.
![Like-minded peers of similar abilities and interests can provide important support.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/z/y/h/m/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtzyba.png/1485484490112.jpg)
Should gifted students go to a separate school?
Grouping students with like-minded peers of similar abilities and interests can provide important emotional and social support.
![Other kids are capable of breaking your child's heart.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/z/w/l/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtzvq6.png/1515564289951.jpg)
'Since when did mean girls behaviour start in kindergarten?'
The first day of school, I'd done everything to ensure my daughter would have a happy time at school. Kindy is only learning to read and having fun with numbers, right? Nothing serious.
![How can you get everyone back into the swing for the first day back at school?](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/c/3/s/image.related.landscape.300x200.gty9rj.png/1485310155707.jpg)
Five tips to get your kids organised for school
If your family is anything like mine, you've really let your routines go over the holidays, but you know the time is coming when it's all going to come back and slap you in the face.
![Foodie Packs - the solution to school lunches this year?](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/w/s/x/0/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsz0g6.png/1485231499963.jpg)
Is this the answer to school lunchbox boredom?
It's the healthy and super convenient school-lunch solution that has everyone paying attention – including Spice Girl Melanie Brown, who's been in Sydney filming X Factor with her kids in tow. In fact, Mel B loved single mother-of-two, Alizah Maryanka's Foodie Packs so much, she jumped on board as a business partner last week.
![The Geelong Natural Parenting Playgroup, with parents Lauren Hickey and Serena Leitmanis.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/w/s/f/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtx3id.png/1485316234009.jpg)
'Students can sit in a forest on their iPad': outdoor school plan grows roots
Imagine a school where children spend most of the day outdoors.
![The girls were born on the same day, at the same hospital - however, they were delivered by different doctors.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/w/8/u/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtwh46.png/1485120479505.jpg)
Double take: Two Olivia Chens roll up for first day of school
No, they're not related, but these two girls have plenty in common.
![Outdoor learning has been found to improve students' mental and physical health, resilience, critical thinking, problem ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20181121114931im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/q/b/k/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtsylq.png/1500278267145.jpg)
The real difference between $12 and $160 school shoes
There's a massive range of school shoes, from $12 all the way to $160. What should parents be looking for?
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