From big ideas to small moments — this week is a reminder of why classrooms matter so much
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| This week’s newsletter brings together inclusion, student voice, and a touch of classroom fun — from World Autism Understanding Month resources and insights, to tomorrow’s Prime Minister for a Day episode, a low-prep virtual travel tool, and a light-hearted April Fools idea to keep things interesting |
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April marks World Autism Understanding Month
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— a great opportunity to build understanding and inclusion in your classroom.
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| Some of the students who’ve brought the most joy, honesty, and straight-up common sense into classrooms I’ve taught in have autism. They see the world a little differently — and often, a little more clearly. |
| What’s always stood out just as much is the way classmates respond. When there’s understanding, kids don’t just include… they protect, support, and quietly look out for each other. |
| Creating that environment doesn’t happen by chance. It’s built through: |
- Open conversations about difference
- Clear strategies and expectations
- Collaboration with families
- Simple supports like routines, signals, or shared language
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| Autism can present challenges in the world we’ve built — but it can also be a superpower. And history is full of brilliant minds thought or known to be on the spectrum, including Greta Thunberg, Anthony Hopkins, Dan Aykroyd, Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein, and Emily Dickinson — just to name a few. |
| If you’re looking for practical ways to support inclusion in your classroom, Autism Spectrum Australia has some fantastic free resources (you’ll need to sign up, but it’s well worth it). |
And with Easter   around the corner, Concept Care has some great inclusive activities that support motor skills and ensure everyone can join in the fun. |
| A small shift in understanding can make a big difference — not just for one student, but for the whole class. |
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Which Squiz Kid will be PM for a Day??
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Tomorrow’s the big reveal… and honestly, we can barely sit still.
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| After weeks of dreaming, filming, and some seriously impressive thinking, our inaugural Prime Minister for a Day competition is about to hit its grand finale. |
| Somewhere in Australia right now, one very excited student is packing their bag, getting ready to fly to Canberra on Tuesday, where they’ll step into the shoes of the PM for the day. We’re talking Question Time, a behind-the-scenes tour of Parliament House, and even a chance to meet the real Prime Minister. |
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| Tune in to Tuesday’s special Squiz Kids episode where we’ll share some of the cleverest, funniest, and most thoughtful entries, reveal our finalists… and crown the winner. |
In the meantime, if you want a sneak peek at the brilliant ideas Aussie kids have come up with, check out this video — it’s equal parts clever, heartfelt, and occasionally hilarious. And if you’re not already following along on Instagram… this might be your sign  |
| Can. Not. Wait. |
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Ever wished you could take your class on an excursion…
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without the risk assessments, permission slips, or lost hats?
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| Well, today is Virtual Vacation Day (yes, that’s a real thing), and it turns out you can. |
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| In a moment that feels just a tiny bit like stepping into Total Recall… minus the chaos… I stumbled across this gem of a site that lets you explore the world via beautifully filmed video tours. |
| From bustling cities to quiet coastlines, it’s a simple, surprisingly calming way to “travel” — whether you’ve got five spare minutes after lunch or want to set the scene for a writing task, geography chat, or just a collective exhale. |
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 https://virtualvacation.us/explore |
| Fair warning: it can be oddly mesmerising. One minute you’re “just having a look”… next minute you’re mentally booking a trip to Norway. |
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Fun Finish: April Fools’ Brown-Es
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April Fools’ Day is nearly here… and this teacher absolutely nailed it.
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| Watch now on TikTok |
| @mcpeek_teaches |
Did you play and pranks today?  #explore #fyp #teacher #teachertok #teacherlife #teachersoftiktok #prank #joke #teachers #jokes |
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| In a moment of pure classroom genius, one teacher promised her students her famous brownies… only to deliver a tray full of carefully cut-out brown “E”s. |
| Cue the confusion. The slow realisation. The groans. The laughter. |
| It’s simple, it’s silly, and honestly — it’s the kind of joke that earns you equal parts eye-rolls and admiration. |
| If you’re looking for a low-effort, high-impact April Fools idea… this might just be your moment. |
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Know a teacher who’d love this? Pass it on.
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| We love hearing from you! Reply to this email with any feedback, suggestions, or funny teaching stories, or hit us up at [email protected]. |
Now get out there, and have a most excellent day!
Over and out. |
| – Christie Kijurina, Squiz Kids Educator |
