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University gives resident cat an honorary doctorate

A university in the US has handed out an honorary doctorate to a surprising recipient: the resident campus cat. For four years, Max the cat has been a respected member of the Vermont State University, putting a smile on students' faces through his friendly demeanour. When Max's owner Ashley was contacted by the school and told their plans to give Max the special honour, she "thought they were crazy", but it brought a big smile to her face. "We live on the main entrance to campus and when my daughter started attending as a junior, she started seeing everyone and how they kind of doted on Max," Ashley told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/vermont-state-university-resident-cat-max-dow-given-honorary-doctorate-in-literature/57d96d7c-ecc5-460f-85ac-ceee24e119b5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Today Extra</a>. "So we started an Instagram page that we keep updated with some of the photos and then I started getting tracked down by people on campus saying, 'Oh Max has been on the Dean's desk and he's been on the desk of the head of graduate studies, and he just kind of makes himself at home.'" Ashely said that Max's calming presence has helped many students who are stressed about their studies, or those who are feeling homesick. "They were just talking about how he was so helpful during finals week because everybody was picking him up and doing selfies with him and he was making everyone calmer," she said. "There's a real sense of community because I heard he was getting attacked by feral cats if he was on campus after 5pm, so I put up some posters and asked the students to give me a call or shoot me a text if they see him out after dark and they started arriving on our doorstep with him saying 'Hey, we brought Max home.'" Max was bestowed the honorary degree of "doctor of litter-ature", although will not be attending the next graduation ceremony. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 24px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.333; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Image credits: Today Extra / Vermont State University

Family & Pets

Student wrongly named as Bondi killer sues Seven Network

A 20-year-old university student who was wrongly named as the Bondi Junction killer has made moves to sue the Seven Network for defamation. As the terrifying rampage at the eastern suburbs Westfield unfolded on Saturday which resulted in the deaths of six people, Ben Cohen was named by the Seven Network as the knife-wielding man. Mr Cohen’s name was wrongly linked to the attack by Sunrise co-host Matt Shirvington shortly after 6am on Sunday and again by journalist Lucy McLeod just 10 minutes later. It wasn't until hours later that Seven identified the right man, Joel Cauchi, as the killer as journalist Sarah Jane Bell issued an on-air apology to Mr Cohen during the evening news bulletin. “Earlier this morning, reports of the incident incorrectly named the perpetrator as 40-year-old Benjamin Cohen,” she said on air. “It was later confirmed that the name of the 40-year-old is Joel Cauchi from Queensland. Seven apologises for any distress caused by our earlier reports.” Mr Cohen is still reeling from the incident, saying he has been targeted by online trolls on social media ever since he was wrongly named by the network. His name was one of the most trending topics on X in Australia the day of the mass stabbing, with many people quick to point out Mr Cohen's Jewish identity, claiming the stabbings were an act of violence in support of the war in Israel against Palestine. The university student has taken the first steps in launching legal action against the network, engaging with two of Australia’s foremost defamation lawyers in Patrick George of Giles George as his solicitor, and Sue Chrysanthou SC as barrister. Mr George confirmed he had sent a concerns notice to Seven, the first step in defamation proceedings. “We await a response from Seven,” Mr George told NCA NewsWire. Mr Cohen told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/student-wrongly-named-as-westfield-bondi-junction-killer-moves-to-sue-seven/news-story/f4c67b123e19cbf3d5a6a6bf39708ea8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> earlier this week that he had been inundated with friend requests and messages on social media after being named by Seven, with the unwanted attention taking a toll on his mental health. “It’s just gone crazy, it’s like ‘look, you’ve got the wrong guy’,” Mr Cohen, a first year computer science student, told news.com.au. “People don’t really think too hard about what they’re posting and how it might affect someone. It’s very dangerous how people could just make stuff up and destroy people’s lives.” Image credits: news.com.au

Legal

Elite school teacher blackmailed for naked photos by student

A teacher at an elite boys' school has opened up about her experience in the "toxic boys' club" that led to her being threatened by a student. Jasmin Hyde was a maths teacher at the elite Cranbrook School in Sydney's Bellevue Hill when she was blackmailed by one of her students in June 2020, according to ABC's Four Corners. <div id="story-primary" data-area="story-primary"> <div> A student at the school attempted to blackmail the female teacher, demanding she send him nude photos or he would accuse her of sexual assault. The incident is just one of a number of claims made on Four Corners about the allegedly toxic culture at Cranbrook School, one of the country’s most prestigious institutions where tuition costs up to $46,000 per year. The student in question was suspended and chose to leave the school for good, and later wrote an apologetic letter to Ms Hyde. “I have caused so much hurt and disappointment to you, my teachers and the wider school community, my friends and my family,” he said in the letter. But Ms Hyde was not happy with the school’s response, and took her complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. “In my experience, Cranbrook did not have a safe, inclusive and supportive culture for me and its female teaching staff,” she told the commission in October 2023. “That must change. It must change for my sake, and it must change for the sake of your current and future teaching staff, and the many young girls who are about to embark on their studies at Cranbrook.” According to Ms Hyde, she was taken to a cafe by the headmaster and his deputy after she made the claims against the student, to which the deputy head of school suggested it was no surprise she received attention from the boys because she was good-looking. “Justifying sexual harassment empowers future abuse,” she told the commission. “This is the standard that Cranbrook management condones, the tone from the top — that young, attractive women at your school should not only expect but tolerate sexual harassment. I wonder how the parents of your future female students would feel about this.” Cranbrook reportedly apologised, saying in a statement the deputy never intended to offend and was “sorry if [he] has done so”. In the hours after the Four Corners program aired, Cranbrook School Council issued a statement saying it was “concerned by the allegations raised” in the program but “remains fully supportive of the headmaster and the school’s leadership”. “Cranbrook takes all allegations of abuse, and its duty of care to its students, extremely seriously and follows relevant and mandatory reporting processes in relation to these matters,” Cranbrook School Council president Geoff Lovell said. “We acknowledge survivors and their stories. No school is ever exempt from scrutiny or, where deserved, criticism. We offer sympathy to the grievances aired by former staff.” Image credits: ABC / Google </div> </div>

Legal

"What were their parents thinking?!" Teacher releases list of hilarious student names

In a world where coming up with a standard name seems about as trendy as using a landline phone, parents are unleashing their inner creativity by bestowing upon their offspring names that sound like they were created during a fever dream. We are clearly smack bang in the middle of the era of "Name your child after a random object you find in the pantry" – and teachers are the unsung heroes bravely navigating the choppy waters of these monikers. Specifically, how to spell (and pronounce) them properly. Now, let's not pretend this phenomenon is fresh off the naming press. Celebrities have been gifting their kids with names that could pass as WiFi passwords for donks. It was just a matter of time before the masses caught onto the fad like a catchy tune you can't unhear. But spare a thought for those noble educators who are more baffled than a cat watching a magic trick when confronted with these labels during roll call. Enter one valiant and anonymous teacher, armed with a class register that reads like a cryptic crossword puzzle. She unveiled her list of quirky names on the modern-day town square, aka Facebook, explaining that she merely gave the enrolment list a "blink and you'll miss it" glance. Because let's face it, no one has time to decode this kindergarten code on a Tuesday morning. So, brace yourself, because the highlights of this peculiar parade include names like Jaxen (apparently the 'x' gives it that extra pizzazz) and Aliyah, which sounds like a harmonious collision of Aladdin and Elijah. But the true gems are still to come. Hold onto your hats, for there's a Syakyra in the house! It's pronounced like "Shakira", because why make life easy when you can transform spelling into an extreme sport? Also on the roster of eccentricities are Rhydah, Presillar, Christisarah (which sounds like someone sneezed while naming their child), Anjewel'Lea (because apostrophes are the new vowels), and Biar Biar – quite possibly the sound of someone giving up mid-naming. The list goes on, unveiling Deklyn, Alarna (Is this a name or an exotic spice?), Aaryah (a name that looks like a typo in progress), Maz (likely short for Mazel Tov), Angel-Lee (a tribute to both celestial beings and two first names), and Karleb (a rebel in the world of traditional spelling). Social media users eagerly devoured this buffet of bewildering baby names, chiming in with their own comedic relief. One humorist quipped that some parents should enrol themselves in school, presumably for a crash course in 'Name Your Kid Without Making Them the Butt of Jokes.' Another jester added, "This really is tragic, at least none of them will get bullied because they're all so bad lol." A self-proclaimed comedian jibed, "These parents really aren't thinking it through." Yet amid the chuckles and facepalms, some thought the names were about as wild as a cup of herbal tea. One wise soul pointed out that among the chaos were rather mundane names like Diamond, Aliyah, Jaylene, Porsha, and Aalijah. Apparently, normality is now measured against the Syakyras of the world. Meanwhile, teachers everywhere collectively sighed in sympathy as they remembered their own quirky classroom encounters. One recounted an encounter with a "J'ley" (pronounced like Jaylee), a name that's the linguistic equivalent of a Rubik's Cube. A pupil named Pistol also made an appearance – because what kid doesn't want a name that guarantees zero playground conflicts? And lest we forget, a friend's teacher had the honour of teaching A'Blessyn. It's like the alphabet gipped, and the resulting letters spelled "Bless this child with an unforgettable name." However, the chaos isn't limited to the classroom. It's infiltrated even the most intimate corners of existence. Enter Reddit, where an expectant British dad took to the digital confessional to seek advice on his partner's fantastical name choices for their impending bundle of joy. The British bloke confessed that he'd prefer his offspring not be mistaken for an experimental rocket launch or a motor oil brand. He's opting for classic dignity, imagining a world where his kid doesn't have to explain why their name sounds like a weather forecast for Mercury. Meanwhile, the partner, a visionary in the field of avant-garde nomenclature, has pitched names like Fennix (for the spelling-challenged phoenix), Park (because nature reserves are inspiring, apparently), and Diesel (coming soon to a gas station near you). And so, as teachers practice their tongue-twister warm-ups and parents wage a war of wits over naming rights, we bid adieu to a world where names like John and Sarah were once considered bold. The age of the bewildering baby name is upon us, and the only certainty is that there's a whole generation of kids out there ready to conquer the world with names that defy both pronunciation and reason. Image: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

“A lesson learned”: Uni student lands herself in an overdue book nightmare

A university graduate student received the shock of her academic career when an email arrived in her inbox to inform her she owed her school’s library a whopping $11,900 in overdue book fines. Hannah took to TikTok to share her story, posting a snippet of the horror email, and the news that her library account had amassed a debt of “$11,9000 owed for 119 lost books”. The books had been declared lost, though Hannah was quick to note that she was “still using” each of them, and had every intention of returning them once she was finished with her studies. To drive home the fact that the books were not missing, and instead safely in her scholarly possession, Hannah panned around the various piles of tomes stacked around her home, with a caption reading “the books aren’t lost, I’m just hoarding them until I finish my dissertation.” The email itself explained the books were marked as lost in the library’s system if they exceeded 30 days overdue, and that there was a flat rate of $100 per book in such instances. And according to the library, it was up to each patron to renew their books, and that Hannah “received overdue notices on the following dates prompting you to renew your library books before they are declared lost.” As she explained to The Daily Dot, she had checked out her collection three years prior while she’d been preparing for exams, and confirmed that she had received four reminders to either renew or return the books, but she’d put it off each time. “Then I got the automatic email,” she added, “saying all of the books were marked as lost and my account was charged $100 per book.” Hannah’s woe drew a mixed response from her audience, with some surprised that her library had even let her withdraw that many books in the first place, others unable to wrap their heads around the fact she could have let her situation get so bad, and many quick to defend the librarian, who they declared had only been doing her job. “My library only lets me check out 5 books at a time,” one wrote. “That’s why keeping library books past their due date is considered stealing,” another said, to which Hannah responded to promise her lesson had been learned. “Only 30 days over due??? Damn give a lil more time,” said one, with Hannah informing them that she’d had the books for years by that point. It wasn’t all bad for the budding scholar though, with Hannah explaining in another comment that “it was hunky dory”, as the library had waived her fees as soon as she’d responded to them, and that she’d been allowed to keep all 119 for an additional year. And, as she told another follower, “I’ve never replied to an email faster.” Images: TikTok

Books

International student forced to live in tent

A 27-year-old student Zoe Jiang travelled from China to Sydney to attend university and much to her surprise, she was forced to sleep in a tent. The finance student arrived in Australia in January 2023 and was shocked to discover the rental prices were too high, resulting in her having to set up camp in short-stay accommodation. During one of her short stays, Ms Jiang did not have a room of her own. She had to pitch a tent in the middle of the living room to allow privacy from her roommates who came home late. Despite sleeping in the shared room, she was paying $300 a week in rent. "I have never had a night in a tent before," Ms Jiang said. "It's a fresh experience, and I think camping in a living room is very different." She has since found long-term accommodation, but she had lived in three different places in less than two months. Ms Jiang is one of many international students struggling to find a home in the nation's growing rental shortage. Housing advocates are concerned that international students are at risk of exploitation and are urging universities to offer support. Ms Jiang is just one of thousands of Chinese international students who had to rush back to Australia or face the risk of losing their qualifications under a new Chinese government policy. Ms Jiang joined the 59,000 international students who arrived in Australia in January 2023, a figure that proved “more than double” the amount as the same time last year, Universities Australia said. Sydney’s rental vacancy is currently at its worst, growing 35 per cent in unit rents across the city. Hundreds of residents are seen lining up outside rental inspections, but international students are suffering the most. The national president of the Council of International Students Australia, Yeganeh Soltanpour, said many international students who have just arrived are often overlooked by real estate agents. "[They] don't have a rental history because they are from overseas, so the chance for them to apply for a rental and get it is a lot lower," she said. Local students might be able to find rental vacancies through personal and family networks, but newly arrived international students have “almost zero connections”. "They can't ask someone for help, they don't always know where to look at ... [and] they might not know a lot about the areas," she said. "They may not even know how to use public transport properly. "This leads to the issue that they have to choose homes within the CBD area, which means they have to pay more rent." Zoe Jiang is one of many international students forced to stay in a shared space like a living room. Leo Patterson-Ross, CEO of the Tenants’ Union of NSW, said transforming a living room into a bedroom could be unlawful. "The assumption is that it is unlawful under planning rules, under local councils, to convert a room to her bedroom without getting consent from council," he said. Mr Patterson-Ross mentioned he had seen "some very unlawful and often abusive behaviour" from landlords and head tenants who sublet rooms to students. This includes withholding students’ passports and threatening to report them to the immigration department if they were to breach the tenancy agreement. Mr Patterson-Ross also said that to prevent exploitation against international students, the government must fix “the fundamental issue” that everyone is faced with. “We just do not have enough homes for everyone in Australia," he said. "And that supply is not just the buildings, but also the pricing of the buildings." He also called for an independent third-party audit to ensure rentals in the market are of good quality rather than having renters shoulder the burden. Ms Soltanpour has asked international students to support each other to combat the rental crisis, but emphasised it was not their responsibility to “fix the issue”. She also called on universities to offer more support for students struggling to find accommodation. The chief executive of Universities Australia, Catriona Jackson, acknowledged that finding a rental anywhere in Australia is difficult for international students at the moment. "Universities continue to support students by providing information on accommodation options before they arrive in Australia along with various other support services," she said. "We encourage any student struggling to secure housing or facing financial pressures to reach out to their university for assistance." Fortunately for Ms Jiang she eventually secured her own room in North Sydney, paying $300 a week – the same amount as when she was sleeping in a tent. She met her new neighbour on the day she moved in, an elderly Italian woman who migrated to Australia when she was just 19. Ms Jiang’s new neighbour invited her in for a cup of tea and encouraged her to make new friends in Australia as “life is a gift”. Taking to social media after her move, a clearly grateful Ms Jiang wrote, “It’s such a great day.” Image credit: Shutterstock

Real Estate

Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find confronting. A headmistress at a private school in the UK made a distress call to a family member just hours before she was found dead, a report has claimed. School principal Emma Pattison, the head teacher of private school Epsom College in Surrey, England, was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/headmistress-husband-and-daughter-found-dead-on-school-grounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> alongside her 39-year-old husband, George, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie on the school grounds earlier this week. As an investigation into their deaths has commenced, the BBC has reported that Emma made a frantic phone call to a relative with concerns about her partner. By the time the worried relative arrived at the house, which is surrounded by other properties occupied by college staff and is close to the prestigious school’s rifle range, all three were dead. Police have yet to disclose the official cause of their deaths, but are confident no one else was involved in the "isolated" incident. Detectives confirmed a firearm registered to George, of which he had a license for, was found at the scene and they are treating the tragedy as a double murder and suicide. Detectives suspect George killed his wife Emma, 45, and little Lettie before taking his own life. Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said, “This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point." “We understand the public concern and upset, and we will clarify what we can, when we can, while respecting the right to a level of privacy for the families of those who have lost their lives." The community is reeling from the tragedy, as devastated neighbours who knew the "lovely" family shared how "heartbroken" they are. One person said, “It is just shocking and unimaginable.” Chloe Rathbone, a nursery worker who looked after Lettie, told The Times, “I am utterly so heartbroken over this awful news." “They were such a lovely family and Lettie was perfect in every way, everything you could have wished for in a little girl.” <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au Image credits: Getty Images / <em style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">epsomcollege.org.uk

News

Headmistress, husband and daughter found dead on school grounds

School principal Emma Pattison, the head teacher of private school Epsom College in Surrey, UK, has been found dead alongside her 39-year-old husband, George, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie on the school grounds. At just 45 years of age, Mrs Pattison was a very recent addition to the school, having joined the award-winning school in September 2022. While an investigation is underway, Surrey police have released a statement saying that they believe this to be an isolated incident with no third-party involvement. Epsom College has also released a statement following the discovery. “It is with the deepest sadness and regret that we have to announce the news of the deaths of Emma Pattison, Head of Epsom College, her daughter Lettie, and her husband George,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts, condolences and sympathies are with their families at this tragic time. The College is working with the Police in what remains an ongoing investigation. “We must now focus on the welfare and wellbeing of our pupils and staff, and work to ensure that they receive all the comfort, warmth and support required from the Epsom College community. “We ask that the public and the media respect the privacy of Emma’s family, and help us to prioritise the needs of our pupils. The news is heartbreaking and we need time and space to come together and process this loss. No further statement will be issued at this time.” Dr Alastair Wells, chair of the board of governors at Epsom College, said, “On behalf of everyone at Epsom College, I want to convey our utter shock and disbelief at this tragic news. “Our immediate thoughts and condolences are with Emma’s family, friends and loved ones, and to the many pupils and colleagues whose lives she enriched throughout her distinguished career. “Emma was a wonderful teacher, but most of all she was a delightful person. In time we will commemorate Emma and her family, in the appropriate way, and in line with the wishes of her family. “But for now, we ask that we are all given the time, space and respect we need to come to terms with this tragic loss." Pattison’s husband, George, was a chartered accountant who was director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House. Surrey Police’s Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey also said: “I want to give my assurance that we will conduct a thorough investigation into what took place last night and hope to be able to bring some peace in these traumatic circumstances.” Inspector Jon Vale, Epsom and Ewell’s borough commander, also said: “We’re aware that this tragic incident will have caused concern and upset in the local community. “While this is believed to be an isolated incident, in the coming days, our local officers will remain in the area to offer reassurance to students, parents, teachers, and the local community. I would like to thank the school and the community for their understanding and patience while the investigation continues.” Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au Image: epsomcollege.org.uk

News

"This is crazy": Ben Fordham blasts gender-neutral terms at all-boys school

Ben Fordham has called out an all-boys private school that have encouraged teachers and students to use gender-inclusive terms. The principal of St Bede's College in Melbourne said in a letter to staff this week that the school was looking to change the language it uses following updated Victoria Child Safe Standards. The letter discouraged school staff from using terms such as "boy" and "young man" in an attempt to be more inclusive to non-binary students. "Can I ask that we start to use gender neutral language in our communications where possible?" the letter read, reports <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/victoria-education/st-bedes-push-for-more-inclusive-language/news-story/a1709b55ccdf81b2fdde3111a2942b08" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">The Herald Sun</a>. "I know it can be challenging when communicating with the parents of senior students and calling them 'children', so if anyone has a better gender neutral term than this, please let me know." "The use of the term 'student' rather than 'young man' or 'boy' can easily be made. I'm yet to find an alternative for 'Beda Boy' (graduated students), and given the history of this term, we would need to think carefully on any changes here." After the letter was made public, 2GB's Ben Fordham blasted the school policy saying it was political correctness gone too far. "This is crazy. Cancel culture has hit this all boys school in Melbourne," he said. The college confirmed "staff were asked to use gender neutral language where possible" to comply with new standards to ensure all students were included. "There are, and will continue to be, boys, young men and 'Beda Boys' within our College community," a statement from the school read. "At the forefront of our minds is, and will remain, the inclusion of all students at St Bede's College." Image credits: Instagram / St Bede's College

News

Misdiagnosed student learns she has incurable cancer

A young woman who suffered from severe pains was told it was due to her excessive drinking – when actually she had an incurable form of cancer. Georgia Ford would occasionally cough up blood, lose her breath easily and struggle to walk or exercise – but was told it was because of how much alcohol she drank. The 20-year-old was given stomach-lining tablets but over time her condition worsened - this time with weight loss and back pain. “Originally the GP said the sickness was acid reflux from the amount that I was drinking because I was a student,” Georgia told Kennedy News. However, when the law student came back from holiday she limited her drinking. But the pains persisted. She kept going back and forth with her doctor, who told Georgia that the pains she was feeling were all in her head due to anxiety. “They basically said that this was all in my head and I wasn’t ill at all. I said ‘I fail to believe that I’m having this many severe symptoms and it’s all in my head’. For almost a year-and-a-half Georgia searched for answers as to why she was feeling the way she was. It was only in November 2021, after Georgia booked a private appointment, that she was diagnosed with papillary renal cell carcinoma – a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer. “I was just so shocked. Just any hope I had of it maybe being something else, it was just the most sinking feeling to be told basically the worst-case scenario and I was just so disappointed in everything,” she said. “Honestly it’s not been the same since that; that one moment has literally changed my life.” Doctors explained to the young student that the cancer had started off in her kidneys and spread to her lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones. And it was then they told the aspiring lawyer that her condition was incurable, forcing her to accept that this is her life now. “It’s just like this overwhelming sadness that just fills you at the time,” she explained. Since the shocking diagnosis, Georgia has begun immunotherapy, which involves taking medication every day and having an intravenous drip every two weeks. She is always required to take portable oxygen tanks when she goes out, and when it’s time to sleep she requires an oxygen pipe to help her breathe. Doctors say this treatment will help Georgia’s cancer shrink to the point of having a “normal life” as much as possible. A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/fightagainstprcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page has been set up to help Georgia with her treatments. Images: 7News/GoFundMe

Body

Why you do NOT ask your students what they think of you

“I told them they couldn’t say ‘nothing’ and they delivered.” Those were the words from a Year 3 teacher who has revealed online that she asked her students what they would change about her – and the results were nothing short of savage. TikTok user Alex Jean shared the results in an hilarious video in which many of the kids went straight after her looks. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@grade3withms.e/video/7079120207637335342" data-video-id="7079120207637335342"> <section><a title="@grade3withms.e" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@grade3withms.e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@grade3withms.e</a> Thank you @missnormansmiddles for this idea that humbled me very quickly 😅😅 <a title="teacher" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/teacher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#teacher</a> <a title="teacherlife" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/teacherlife" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#teacherlife</a> <a title="teachers" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/teachers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#teachers</a> <a title="teachertiktok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/teachertiktok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#teachertiktok</a> <a title="teachertok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/teachertok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#teachertok</a> <a title="teacheroftiktok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/teacheroftiktok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#teacheroftiktok</a> <a title="students" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/students" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#students</a> <a title="whatwouldyou" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/whatwouldyou" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#whatwouldyou</a> <a title="♬ Originalton - AnnenMayKantereit" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Originalton-7076464112204614406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ Originalton - AnnenMayKantereit</a></section> </blockquote> First up, one of the kids told her “one eyebrow is skinny and the other is fat” and another said she “tucks all her shirts in.” A third child also slammed her appearance and said “you smile a lot and it looks like your eyes are closed”. Another found her mannerisms annoying and said she “blinks too much”. One child took issue with her teaching style, and said “you make us do a lot of work”. However, one of the children was sweet with their answer, saying the only thing they’d change is that she won’t be their teacher next year. Many people found the video adorable, with one viewer commenting: “the eyebrows one made me laugh. children are so funny”. Another joked: “I’d be there consciously trying to blink less.” Images: TikTok

Beauty & Style

Gun pulled during fight outside New Zealand school

A brawl between students at a high school turned vicious when one of them pulled a gun and pointed it at another girl’s head. Horrific footage shows the teenagers punching and yanking each other’s hair in front of shocked students at Otahuhu College in Auckland on Thursday. Suddenly, a student dressed in all black is marching toward another waving the gun around yelling: “You touch my sister again, touch her, touch her.” She approaches the other girl and holds the gun to her head telling her to go away. “Get the f*** out of here right now,” she yells. Principal Neil Watson confirmed that police were investigating the incident but it is still unclear whether or not the gun was real. “We have a member of the public with what looks like a firearm. We’re helping the police with their inquiries, and our priority is the safety and security of our families and students,” he told <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gun-drawn-during-fight-between-auckland-high-school-students/UNNRMV2JWDWQSXID6MVTVRROHQ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a>. The publication was sent the video by a worried police, as police confirm they have begun their enquiries. “It was a report of a group of people fighting. Inquiries are underway to speak to those involved to establish the circumstances.” Watch the incident <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gun-drawn-during-fight-between-auckland-high-school-students/UNNRMV2JWDWQSXID6MVTVRROHQ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: NZ Herald

News

Tributes flow for siblings named in suspected murder-suicide

Tributes are flowing for two young siblings who died in a suspected double murder-suicide by their mother in Perth. Abiyah, 10, and Aiden Selvan, eight, were found dead in the back seat of a car at John Graham Reserve in Coogee, west of the city, on Monday morning. Their heartbroken father had left for the US on Sunday and arrived back home in Perth on Wednesday after hearing the devastating news. Principal Bill Innes of Providence Christian College and students at the children’s school remembered the siblings with messages and flowers. “You can never prepare for something like this,” Principal Innes told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/wa/heartbreaking-tributes-flow-for-young-victims-abiyah-and-aiden-selvan-killed-in-suspected-coogee-murder-suicide-c-6081634" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>. “We’re still numb, it’s still sinking in. To see those faces, it’s not easy.” A bulletin board was offered to the students to write their messages to Abiyah and Aiden. Abiyah was described as being the “brightest light of the world” from one of her fellow classmates. “Remember I always love you. It pains me to know I will never see you smile, touch you, laugh with you, and even wave to you,” another of her friends wrote. “Your secrets! Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone in honour of you. I will never forget you. See you in heaven,” another student wrote. A message dedicated to Aiden simply read, “I will miss you.” Tsaparah Tabernacle, the church the family attended was in a “state of shock” when news spread of the suspected double murder-suicide. “We don’t have an understanding of what’s going on, we are puzzled and completely shocked at this stage,” a church spokesman told <a href="https://thewest.com.au/news/crime/coogee-car-fire-neighbours-reveal-details-of-mum-children-killed-in-suspected-murder-suicide--c-6065373" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The West Australian</a>. The homicide investigation continues. Images: Nine News

News

Students stunned as wild fight erupts outside school

A violent altercation between two men erupted outside a school in Melbourne as students were being picked up by their parents. Shocked students from Melton Secondary College in the state’s west, watched on in horror as two motorists began throwing punches at each other in the middle of the road on Tuesday afternoon. Disturbing footage shows a shirtless man grabbing a pole off the floor before allegedly forcing it through the ute window while children were inside. The man allegedly appears to repeatedly force the pole in the window as victims inside could be seen moving their heads to avoid being hit. The driver of the ute attempts to jump out but his door is kicked shut by the attacker, but eventually he makes it out. He charges at the alleged attacker, both of them throwing punches at each other as the altercation spilled in the middle of the street forcing children and their parents to run away. Police arrived and arrested the 21-year-old Melton man and he was subsequently charged. 'Police have been told a man stepped out onto Coburns Road near High Street just before 3.30pm,' Victoria Police said in a statement. 'It is believed the man smashed the windscreen of a car causing three other cars to collide nose to tail.' 'The driver of the damaged car got out of the vehicle and was involved in a physical altercation with the offender.' Warning: Confronting footage <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/man-charged-over-alleged-melton-road-rage-attack-outside-melbourne-school/1be1cdf6-449d-4fe7-b365-86e3811676ed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Nine

News

Meet the Aussie student who fled the Ukraine Russian invasion

Conrad Siziba moved from Western Australia to Ukraine in September of 2019, where he was eager to begin his studies to pursue a career in medicine. The medical student never could have imagined he would survive the risks of Covid-19, only to be forced out of the country by the tragedy of war. Conrad was among the first arrivals into Perth on Thursday, when the long-awaited quarantine travel ban finally lifted, after the state’s hard border opened. The sweet embrace with his father Conrad Siziba Senior and mother Noma brought a close to a nail-biting journey home. His parents were all smiles as they welcomed their son back from Ukraine. The process home “wasn’t easy”, Mr Siziba said. “The last few days when he was just about to come out, it was challenging,” he said. “He was facing a huge threat,” Mrs Siziba said. “We’re excited he’s home.” The medical student dropped his studies to flee the university town Dnipro in Eastern Ukraine - a key region named as a target by Russia. The safety risk of the invasions meant he had to bypass Kyiv, instead making his way to Lviv. “He was meant to fly on Thursday but that’s when they closed the flights and then he couldn’t fly,” Mr Siziba said. Conrad joined the student exodus on packed trains through a rough Ukrainian winter. This journey of risk included a 30km walk on foot to Poland before he could make it back to home to Baldivis. His parents were on edge as they waited during the “challenging time”, Mr Siziba said. “Thank God for the foreign affairs department, they were really supportive,” he said. Conrad appeared unphased by his journey upon his arrival home, simply focusing on the fact that he was home safe. “We’re happy he’s home,” his father said, Mrs Siziba adding it’s “the best thing ever”. Image: 7News

Travel Trouble

Furious backlash after school offers shapewear to female students

Image: Facebook/Getty A Mississippi middle school has offered body-slimming shapewear to female students this month, leading to furious backlash. Southaven Middle School in northern Mississippi sent a letter home to parents of teen and tween girls, educating on the issue of negative body image. The letter concluded with an offer from the school's counselors to provide shapewear — a foundation garment that's used alter a person's body shape. This offer was made to any of the students, aged 10 to 14, whose parents agreed to it. The letter was shared on social media by mom Ashley Heun, who said that she was 'beyond p***ed.' 'This is what was sent home with my 8th-grade daughter,' Heun, whose daughter Caroline attends the school, wrote on Facebook. The memo is headed with the nonsensical title 'Why Do Girls Suffer from Body Image?' — which should more accurately say suffer from 'bad' or 'negative' body image. The memo goes on to discuss how 'social and cultural experiences' create a 'desire to adhere to an "ideal" body shape,' and how girls are 'more likely than boys to have negative body image.' While the memo is mostly thoughtful, noting that 'women in the United States feel pressured to measure up to strict and unrealistic social and cultural beauty ideals,' it also asserts that girls with a positive body image are more likely to have good self esteem, physical health and mental health — and it offers a surprising way of supporting that. 'We, the counsellors of Southaven Middle School, would like to have an opportunity to offer some healthy literature to your daughter on maintaining a positive body image. 'We are also providing girls with shapewear, bras, and other health products if applicable.'

Body

Terminally ill man graduates college alongside his granddaughter

A grandfather-granddaughter duo from Texas have shared a heart-warming milestone together. Melanie Salazar, 23, and her grandfather Rene Neira, 88, have both graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) alongside each other. Rene first began his higher education in the 1950s, but when he fell in love and started a family, he was unable to finish his studies in the traditional four-year span. Throughout the years, Rene took part in online classes, but decided to re-enroll in college in 2016: the same year his granddaughter began her freshman year at the same school. "It just so happened that he wanted to go back to school again at the same time that I was starting." Melanie Salazar told <a rel="noopener" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/04/us/grandfather-granddaughter-graduate-college-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a>. "It wasn't intentionally planned, but it just worked out that way that we were in school at the same time." "I didn't know that we would actually get to share that moment together," Melanie said. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXW-XSZrxf9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXW-XSZrxf9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Melanie Salazar ♡ (@melaniesalazara)</a> </div> </blockquote> Melanie said she didn't share any classes with her grandfather due to their differing majors, but the pair would often meet up for lunches, study in the library or even carpool to campus together. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Rene suffered from a stroke and had to take medical leave from class. Unable to navigate the world of full-time online classes, Rene was only a few classes shy of completing his degree and his family rallied around him to get him the degree he has always wanted. "We, as his family, were able to advocate for him and request to see if there was any way that he could be recognised or honoured for all the work that he had done." Melanie told CNN. It wasn't until the week of graduation they found out he would be honoured. "It was definitely an early Christmas miracle that they were willing to recognize him." Salazar said. "When we walked past the curtains onto the stage, I was overcome with emotion and started to tear up because I didn't know that we would actually get to share that moment together." Salazar said, "I told him afterwards, 'You did it, grandpa! College is over!'" Melanie received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, while Rene got a degree of recognition in economics. "It's never too late to go back to school." Salazar shares. "Whatever your circumstance, there's people that are ready and willing to help you follow your dreams." Image credits: Twitter @UTSA

Family & Pets

Gina Rinehart tells private school students to be wary of ‘climate propaganda’

The richest woman in Australia, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, caused a stir recently when a video she had recorded for her alma mater had to be cut because of her controversial views. In the video, recorded by Rinehart for the 125th anniversary of her alma mater, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls in Perth’s Mosman Park, Rinehart speaks for 16 minutes instead of the required 5, and only managed to stay on topic for so long. She starts out talking about her family’s connections to the school, which go back four generations. About five minutes in, however, she begins critiquing the ‘propaganda’ she believes students are being taught regarding climate change. “It’s very important in my view that today’s parents or guardians or grandparents ask their children each and every day what they are learning at school, counter any propaganda and address their concerns with teachers directly,” she says in the video. “Please be very careful about information spread on emotional basis, or tied to money, or egos, or power-seekers, and always search for the facts, even if the tide is against you, and it’s not considered popular. “Facts may not be popular, but that shouldn’t mean they should be overlooked.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 265.867418899859px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844698/screen-shot-2021-10-08-at-12822-pm.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e1e0fe218b2c41e197cd72636942ef45" /> Faculty members cut the video short, but the entire video, along with a transcript, can still be viewed on Rinehart’s <a href="https://www.ginarinehart.com.au/speech-by-mrs-gina-rinehart-celebrating-125-years-of-st-hildas-anglican-school-for-girls/">website</a>. In the full-length speech, she mentions inviting infamous climate deniers such as Lord Monckton and Professor Ian Plimer to speak at the school in response to students being shown Al Gore’s 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth. When asked for his thoughts on Rinehart’s views, WA premier Mark McGowan said that it was “well accepted by scientists and governments and people all over the world that carbon emissions by us are increasing temperatures. “That’s certainly what I believe, and the overwhelming majority of scientists believe, and I think we should work on that basis,” he said. It is widely accepted by bodies like <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/">NASA</a>, <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/">the UN</a>, and the <a href="https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/">CSIRO</a> that climate change is real, is occurring as the result of humanity’s impact on the climate, and will only get worse in the decades to come if more is not done to combat it. Meanwhile, the claims made by skeptics like <a href="https://skepticalscience.com/Monckton_Myths_arg.htm">Lord Monckton</a> and <a href="https://skepticalscience.com/skeptic_Ian_Plimer.htm">Professor Plimer</a> denying the realities of climate change have been widely and thoroughly debunked. Image: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

News

"It has to stop": Karl's blunt plea after anti-vaxxers hijack student's death

Karl Stefanovic used his platform on The Today Show to plead with those spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. The TV host discussed the high profile case of Year 12 student Tom van Dijk, who passed away last week after suffering from a cardiac arrest while swimming with his family. Karl went on to say that Tom's school was forced to step in when a flood of social media messages incorrectly linked his untimely death to the COVID-19 vaccine. "He had a cardiac arrest. So what happens? Thousands of faceless keyboard warriors take it upon themselves to seize on his awful death in front of his family, circulating false information, blaming his death on vaccinations," he said. "His school already dealing with grief amongst students was forced to confirm he hadn't even had a vaccination yet." "Imagine the added stress on that poor young man's family...their pain and their tragedy made worse by lies on social media." Karl went on to say the spread of misinformation is dangerous and "it has to stop". Tom van Dijk died on August 21, which was confirmed by his school principal, John Couani, at St Pius X College in Chatswood, Sydney. Couani reiterated Karl Stefanovic's claims about vaccine misinformation, saying he is unsure why the dangerous rumours started in the first place. The misinformation is horrific, there was nothing to do with mental health, this is purely a health issue,” he said. “The school did not force students to be vaccinated — the school is not in a hotspot or local government area of concern, nor was it eligible for the priority vaccination program — we’ve made no statement calling for vaccinations of students.” Image credit: Channel Nine

Caring

Students’ removal of Queen’s photo causes ire

Students in the UK have caused a stir after voting to remove a photograph of the Queen from their university common room. Postgraduate students at Magdalen College, Oxford, voted to take down the print, with minutes from the meeting noting that “for some students depictions of the monarch and the British monarchy represent recent colonial history.” The move drew criticism from UK Education secretary Gavin Williamson, who tweeted: “Oxford university students removing a picture of the Queen is simply absurd. She is the head of state and a symbol of what is best about the UK. During her long reign she has worked tirelessly to promote British values of tolerance, inclusivity and respect around the world.” In a swift response, Dinah Rose, the president of Magdalen College, defended the decision and wrote: “Here are some facts about Magdalen College and HM the Queen. The Middle Common Room is an organisation of graduate students. They don’t represent the College. A few years ago, in 2013 they bought a print of the Queen to decorate their common room. “They recently voted to take it down. Both of these decisions are their own to take, not the College’s. Magdalen strongly supports free speech and political debate and the MCR’s right to autonomy.” She added: “Being a student is about more than studying. It’s about exploring and debating ideas. It’s sometimes about provoking the older generation. Looks like that isn’t so hard to do these days.” Rose also said the print would be safely stored in the event the students vote to put the print up once more. Matthew Katzman, Magdalen’s MCR president, told the Daily Telegraph: “It has been taken down. It was decided to leave the common room neutral. That was what this was about. The college will have plenty of depictions of various things but the common room is meant to be a space for all to feel welcome.” Image: Magdalen College, Theroyalfamily / Instagram

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Why you do NOT ask your students what they think of you

Gun pulled during fight outside New Zealand school

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Students stunned as wild fight erupts outside school

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Furious backlash after school offers shapewear to female students

Terminally ill man graduates college alongside his granddaughter

Gina Rinehart tells private school students to be wary of ‘climate propaganda’

"It has to stop": Karl's blunt plea after anti-vaxxers hijack student's death

Students’ removal of Queen’s photo causes ire

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