Our Journalists

Lauren NovakEducation and social policy editor

Lauren Novak is the education and social policy editor for The Advertiser and Sunday Mail. She has specialised in coverage of domestic violence and child protection for more than 10 years and has won national and state awards. Lauren is an Our Watch Walkley Foundation Fellow and a former board director at domestic violence recovery charity Zahra Foundation Australia.

@Lauren__Dailey

Lauren Novak

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Education

OCTOBER 25, 2024Sam AcklandHe left Westminster School at Marion in 2008 without achieving an ATAR, but went on to establish a business valued at more than $10m and only does business meetings wearing Crocs. Picture : RoyVPhotography

The millionaire who only does business meetings in Crocs

He finished school without an ATAR, ran away to Byron Bay to escape his problems, failed Accounting 101 and now this businessman’s brainchild is worth $10m.

Lifestyle

Siblings Gigi Glastonbury, 12, Frank Glastonbury, 10 and Coco Glastonbury, 15 at a park in St Morris, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. Picture: Matt Loxton

‘What’s wrong with your brother?’: Sisters share reality of life with Frank

They’ve never been to the movies together. Going grocery shopping took four years of preparation. Here, the Glastonbury family reveals what life is really like with a son, and brother, with a severe disability.

Education

The SA teachers who have been suspended … for years with pay

Teachers and principals at South Australian public schools are serving long suspensions, often while still being paid. See the list.

Education

Mitcham Girls school ranked highly in NAPLAN and student numbers have grown by 40 per cent in the past five years. Principal Rosie Heinicke with Year 12 Students Annabel Williams,Hollie Millar and Sarah Honter. 18th October 2024. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Adelaide’s most popular school: See who’s winning enrolment race

The state’s top performing public high schools have seen huge spikes in student numbers, new analysis reveals. Search your school to see how it ranks.

EXCLUSIVESA News

Teenager, Computer addiction, Video games, Computer, Technology, Modern life Picture: iStock

‘Hunting ground’: Cop crackdown uncovers child sex offender breaches

Police have charged a number of registered child sex offenders for breaching strict conditions, including contact with children.

SA News

‘Very traumatised’: Child runaways fleeing care at staggering rate

Young children and teenagers are being reported missing from state care 19 times a day. Here’s why they’re running away.

Education

12th October 2024: Darcy Hughes, 18, left school earlier this year (not quite finishing year 12) to take a full-time job as a property manager. He is a success story from the tailored learning program run in public schools. Without the extra support he says he would have dropped out in year 8 or 9. Pictured in a park in Smithfield. (He really REALLY wanted to keep his sunglasses onÃ.itÃs his trademark apparently!) Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

From wagging class to dream job: Darcy’s school turnaround

Adelaide student Darcy Hughes would have dropped out of high school if it wasn’t for a teacher with a different approach. Soon other struggling students will have similar options.

Education