NSW

Public education in NSW is headed for a crisis as skyrocketing birth rates look set to clash with teacher retirement figures.

The "baby bonus generation", representing the biggest birth spike in more than 30 years, will enter the education system from 2011. At the same time, more than half of NSW's teachers will hit retirement age.

Educators and parent groups fear the system will not cope.

A 20 Year Reunion is being organised for the Class of Year 10 1986 and Year 12 1988 for Asquith Boys & Girls High School. All students, partners and teachers are welcome. 6:45pm - 12:00am. Hornsby RSL, 4 High Street, Hornsby Tickets $65 per person. For more information e-mail school.reunions [at] yahoo.com

Committee Members: Kerrin Cameron, Jo Kaye & Jason King

This week, parents of students in NSW public schools will start receiving Click -– the NSW Government’s ‘Technology Guide for Parents’.

More than 150,000 students in years 11 and 12 at schools across NSW have a problem. Almost all are skilled users of computer keyboards. Most can easily outperform their elders when it comes to text messaging on their mobile phones.

Year 12 students would learn about household budgeting and the mathematics of the body in a new practical maths course planned for New South Wales.

The proposed course, aimed at students pursuing traineeships and apprenticeships, would also teach them how to measure the usage of household utilities, geometry and design skills, including creating scale drawings and house plans.