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This article provides an overview of a new schoolbased mental health initiative currently being trialed in 101 primary schools in Australia. KidsMatter: the Australian Primary School Mental Health Initiative is a population model for supporting student mental health and well-being. Using a whole-school implementation model, it provides schools with a framework, a guided process and key resources to develop and implement a co-ordinated set of mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention (PPEI) strategies for the specific mental health and well-being needs of their students. Through KidsMatter primary schools are engaged in building their capacities for PPEI by promoting a positive school community, teaching social and emotional skills, providing parenting support and education, and facilitating early intervention for students experiencing mental health difficulties. The article describes the rationale and theoretical underpinnings of KidsMatter, outlines key features of the framework, implementation process and resources, and concludes with an overview of the major goals of the trial and the anticipated learning from the evaluation.

The article discusses the author's work with schools and the broader community in the Hindmarsh electorate to widen their understanding of Gonski and ensure education funding has a strong place in the minds of voters leading to the next election. It cites his roundtable meeting that outlined the Gonski campaign and stressed the importance of school stories as a strategy to engage parents and the community. It Gonski presence in Hindmarsh that involves schools and the wider community.

The article presents an interview with teacher Chris Champion is presented. Topics discussed include his services as a teacher and counselor support to the Gonski funding focused to provide education to children across Australia, his appointment as Campaign Coordinator for the Gonski funding by the Australian Education Union (AEU), and role of AEU members to provide information on the use of Gonksi funding.

The article presents views from public on the issue of digital portfolios in education as a realistic alternative to standardized testing. According to teacher Chris Champion of Hershey, Pennsylvania, digital portfolios are not a realistic alternative, because of cost as its main reason. Champion added that in class, students are required to compile their "best work" in a portfolio. It takes more than an hour to grade each student from monitoring to final evaluation. Standardized tests require time and are easier to grade.