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The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Could this app have helped Amaja when she was being bullied at school?
For Amaja Scott, the beginning of high school was tough. Not because of the early morning starts or the increased workload, but because she said she was experiencing bullying. "I didn't want to go to school; mum had to make me go half the time," the now 14-year-old said. The Tasmanian teenager said she faced rumours and isolation both in-person and online. Her mum, Racheal Smith, said her daughter changed from the "generally happy" person she was. "No child's perfect, but she's probably always been that kid that if someone's being left out, like in primary school, she will leave and go with them," she said. "Seeing someone so confident, like generally a happy, empathetic person ... to see how much she went in within her shell, and you could tell she wasn't happy doing most things." Amaja and her mum said the teachers at her school were quite helpful and made her feel safe. However, when reporting the bullying, there was a fear of being a "tattle". "You don't want to be the 'tattle' person as well, which then gets you a bigger target on your back," Ms Smith said. This is where a new application, uSpeak, which is currently in development, may help. The application, from Launceston,TAS, co-creators Brenton Neighbour and Scott Moran, would allow students to report bullying anonymously. "uSpeak is a digital platform designed to eliminate bullying within schools," Mr Neighbour said. "It's a secure and intuitive digital platform, so it will empower students to report bullying anonymously. "It enables parents to stay informed with real-time alerts when an event is logged, and it will also simultaneously equip educators with powerful data-driven insights to intervene faster, all whilst reducing administrative burden." Both men had experienced their own battles with bullying. "Scott's children were being heavily bullied at school," Mr Neighbour said. "And it came from just bad personal experiences, both from mine and Scott." He said for both men, there was no option to report the experiences. "How do you ensure that you get the support you need ... there's only word of mouth," he said. "You need to go and tell someone, and then if someone sees you telling, you're commonly labelled - snitching." Ms Smith agreed and said the application could help students who were uncomfortable speaking with others about their experiences. "If children don't want to be the tattle at school if they're personally keeping a log of this, and then something happens, and the school goes, 'well, we don't know anything about it'," she said. "They've got that tool to say, 'well, here it is' dated, it's a pattern, so it is actually bullying, it's not a one-off issue, it's repeated." Mr Neighbour also said that when reporting instances of bullying, there was no follow-up or constant communication and therefore "no conclusion". "We wanted to create a solution that streamlined this process that also reduces the workload on teachers because we know they are overworked," he said. "And we also want to be able to permit parents and minors and academics to report if they're noticing behavioural changes, or if they're aware of an outright event that's occurred, so they can report that to the school in a very seamless manner. "And then the school can also resolve it in a very timely manner as well." According to the application's site, uSpeak instantly connects the reporter with the "right support," which would offer resources and expert advice. There would also be AI-supported check-ins throughout the day, asking the reporter how they felt, which would "ensure the right professionals respond with the right support." Mr Neighbour said the rollout of the application depends on a number of factors, including the organisation's strategic partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU). ACU is currently conducting extensive research, gathering qualitative and quantitative data, which Mr Neighbour and Mr Morton will use to implement them into the solution. They would then look to trial within select schools and, if needed, tweak the app based on the findings. The co-founders have also had discussions with the Tasmanian Department of Education and have contacted multiple local, state and federal politicians. A spokesperson for the Department of Education, Child and Young People (DECYP) said there were no plans to use the app at this stage. "There are a range of school policies, resources and training to provide a whole of system, evidenced-based approach to combat student bullying and other inappropriate behaviour," they said. To learn more about uSpeak, please visit: For Amaja Scott, the beginning of high school was tough. Not because of the early morning starts or the increased workload, but because she said she was experiencing bullying. "I didn't want to go to school; mum had to make me go half the time," the now 14-year-old said. The Tasmanian teenager said she faced rumours and isolation both in-person and online. Her mum, Racheal Smith, said her daughter changed from the "generally happy" person she was. "No child's perfect, but she's probably always been that kid that if someone's being left out, like in primary school, she will leave and go with them," she said. "Seeing someone so confident, like generally a happy, empathetic person ... to see how much she went in within her shell, and you could tell she wasn't happy doing most things." Amaja and her mum said the teachers at her school were quite helpful and made her feel safe. However, when reporting the bullying, there was a fear of being a "tattle". "You don't want to be the 'tattle' person as well, which then gets you a bigger target on your back," Ms Smith said. This is where a new application, uSpeak, which is currently in development, may help. The application, from Launceston,TAS, co-creators Brenton Neighbour and Scott Moran, would allow students to report bullying anonymously. "uSpeak is a digital platform designed to eliminate bullying within schools," Mr Neighbour said. "It's a secure and intuitive digital platform, so it will empower students to report bullying anonymously. "It enables parents to stay informed with real-time alerts when an event is logged, and it will also simultaneously equip educators with powerful data-driven insights to intervene faster, all whilst reducing administrative burden." Both men had experienced their own battles with bullying. "Scott's children were being heavily bullied at school," Mr Neighbour said. "And it came from just bad personal experiences, both from mine and Scott." He said for both men, there was no option to report the experiences. "How do you ensure that you get the support you need ... there's only word of mouth," he said. "You need to go and tell someone, and then if someone sees you telling, you're commonly labelled - snitching." Ms Smith agreed and said the application could help students who were uncomfortable speaking with others about their experiences. "If children don't want to be the tattle at school if they're personally keeping a log of this, and then something happens, and the school goes, 'well, we don't know anything about it'," she said. "They've got that tool to say, 'well, here it is' dated, it's a pattern, so it is actually bullying, it's not a one-off issue, it's repeated." Mr Neighbour also said that when reporting instances of bullying, there was no follow-up or constant communication and therefore "no conclusion". "We wanted to create a solution that streamlined this process that also reduces the workload on teachers because we know they are overworked," he said. "And we also want to be able to permit parents and minors and academics to report if they're noticing behavioural changes, or if they're aware of an outright event that's occurred, so they can report that to the school in a very seamless manner. "And then the school can also resolve it in a very timely manner as well." According to the application's site, uSpeak instantly connects the reporter with the "right support," which would offer resources and expert advice. There would also be AI-supported check-ins throughout the day, asking the reporter how they felt, which would "ensure the right professionals respond with the right support." Mr Neighbour said the rollout of the application depends on a number of factors, including the organisation's strategic partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU). ACU is currently conducting extensive research, gathering qualitative and quantitative data, which Mr Neighbour and Mr Morton will use to implement them into the solution. They would then look to trial within select schools and, if needed, tweak the app based on the findings. The co-founders have also had discussions with the Tasmanian Department of Education and have contacted multiple local, state and federal politicians. A spokesperson for the Department of Education, Child and Young People (DECYP) said there were no plans to use the app at this stage. "There are a range of school policies, resources and training to provide a whole of system, evidenced-based approach to combat student bullying and other inappropriate behaviour," they said. To learn more about uSpeak, please visit: For Amaja Scott, the beginning of high school was tough. Not because of the early morning starts or the increased workload, but because she said she was experiencing bullying. "I didn't want to go to school; mum had to make me go half the time," the now 14-year-old said. The Tasmanian teenager said she faced rumours and isolation both in-person and online. Her mum, Racheal Smith, said her daughter changed from the "generally happy" person she was. "No child's perfect, but she's probably always been that kid that if someone's being left out, like in primary school, she will leave and go with them," she said. "Seeing someone so confident, like generally a happy, empathetic person ... to see how much she went in within her shell, and you could tell she wasn't happy doing most things." Amaja and her mum said the teachers at her school were quite helpful and made her feel safe. However, when reporting the bullying, there was a fear of being a "tattle". "You don't want to be the 'tattle' person as well, which then gets you a bigger target on your back," Ms Smith said. This is where a new application, uSpeak, which is currently in development, may help. The application, from Launceston,TAS, co-creators Brenton Neighbour and Scott Moran, would allow students to report bullying anonymously. "uSpeak is a digital platform designed to eliminate bullying within schools," Mr Neighbour said. "It's a secure and intuitive digital platform, so it will empower students to report bullying anonymously. "It enables parents to stay informed with real-time alerts when an event is logged, and it will also simultaneously equip educators with powerful data-driven insights to intervene faster, all whilst reducing administrative burden." Both men had experienced their own battles with bullying. "Scott's children were being heavily bullied at school," Mr Neighbour said. "And it came from just bad personal experiences, both from mine and Scott." He said for both men, there was no option to report the experiences. "How do you ensure that you get the support you need ... there's only word of mouth," he said. "You need to go and tell someone, and then if someone sees you telling, you're commonly labelled - snitching." Ms Smith agreed and said the application could help students who were uncomfortable speaking with others about their experiences. "If children don't want to be the tattle at school if they're personally keeping a log of this, and then something happens, and the school goes, 'well, we don't know anything about it'," she said. "They've got that tool to say, 'well, here it is' dated, it's a pattern, so it is actually bullying, it's not a one-off issue, it's repeated." Mr Neighbour also said that when reporting instances of bullying, there was no follow-up or constant communication and therefore "no conclusion". "We wanted to create a solution that streamlined this process that also reduces the workload on teachers because we know they are overworked," he said. "And we also want to be able to permit parents and minors and academics to report if they're noticing behavioural changes, or if they're aware of an outright event that's occurred, so they can report that to the school in a very seamless manner. "And then the school can also resolve it in a very timely manner as well." According to the application's site, uSpeak instantly connects the reporter with the "right support," which would offer resources and expert advice. There would also be AI-supported check-ins throughout the day, asking the reporter how they felt, which would "ensure the right professionals respond with the right support." Mr Neighbour said the rollout of the application depends on a number of factors, including the organisation's strategic partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU). ACU is currently conducting extensive research, gathering qualitative and quantitative data, which Mr Neighbour and Mr Morton will use to implement them into the solution. They would then look to trial within select schools and, if needed, tweak the app based on the findings. The co-founders have also had discussions with the Tasmanian Department of Education and have contacted multiple local, state and federal politicians. A spokesperson for the Department of Education, Child and Young People (DECYP) said there were no plans to use the app at this stage. "There are a range of school policies, resources and training to provide a whole of system, evidenced-based approach to combat student bullying and other inappropriate behaviour," they said. To learn more about uSpeak, please visit: For Amaja Scott, the beginning of high school was tough. Not because of the early morning starts or the increased workload, but because she said she was experiencing bullying. "I didn't want to go to school; mum had to make me go half the time," the now 14-year-old said. The Tasmanian teenager said she faced rumours and isolation both in-person and online. Her mum, Racheal Smith, said her daughter changed from the "generally happy" person she was. "No child's perfect, but she's probably always been that kid that if someone's being left out, like in primary school, she will leave and go with them," she said. "Seeing someone so confident, like generally a happy, empathetic person ... to see how much she went in within her shell, and you could tell she wasn't happy doing most things." Amaja and her mum said the teachers at her school were quite helpful and made her feel safe. However, when reporting the bullying, there was a fear of being a "tattle". "You don't want to be the 'tattle' person as well, which then gets you a bigger target on your back," Ms Smith said. This is where a new application, uSpeak, which is currently in development, may help. The application, from Launceston,TAS, co-creators Brenton Neighbour and Scott Moran, would allow students to report bullying anonymously. "uSpeak is a digital platform designed to eliminate bullying within schools," Mr Neighbour said. "It's a secure and intuitive digital platform, so it will empower students to report bullying anonymously. "It enables parents to stay informed with real-time alerts when an event is logged, and it will also simultaneously equip educators with powerful data-driven insights to intervene faster, all whilst reducing administrative burden." Both men had experienced their own battles with bullying. "Scott's children were being heavily bullied at school," Mr Neighbour said. "And it came from just bad personal experiences, both from mine and Scott." He said for both men, there was no option to report the experiences. "How do you ensure that you get the support you need ... there's only word of mouth," he said. "You need to go and tell someone, and then if someone sees you telling, you're commonly labelled - snitching." Ms Smith agreed and said the application could help students who were uncomfortable speaking with others about their experiences. "If children don't want to be the tattle at school if they're personally keeping a log of this, and then something happens, and the school goes, 'well, we don't know anything about it'," she said. "They've got that tool to say, 'well, here it is' dated, it's a pattern, so it is actually bullying, it's not a one-off issue, it's repeated." Mr Neighbour also said that when reporting instances of bullying, there was no follow-up or constant communication and therefore "no conclusion". "We wanted to create a solution that streamlined this process that also reduces the workload on teachers because we know they are overworked," he said. "And we also want to be able to permit parents and minors and academics to report if they're noticing behavioural changes, or if they're aware of an outright event that's occurred, so they can report that to the school in a very seamless manner. "And then the school can also resolve it in a very timely manner as well." According to the application's site, uSpeak instantly connects the reporter with the "right support," which would offer resources and expert advice. There would also be AI-supported check-ins throughout the day, asking the reporter how they felt, which would "ensure the right professionals respond with the right support." Mr Neighbour said the rollout of the application depends on a number of factors, including the organisation's strategic partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU). ACU is currently conducting extensive research, gathering qualitative and quantitative data, which Mr Neighbour and Mr Morton will use to implement them into the solution. They would then look to trial within select schools and, if needed, tweak the app based on the findings. The co-founders have also had discussions with the Tasmanian Department of Education and have contacted multiple local, state and federal politicians. A spokesperson for the Department of Education, Child and Young People (DECYP) said there were no plans to use the app at this stage. "There are a range of school policies, resources and training to provide a whole of system, evidenced-based approach to combat student bullying and other inappropriate behaviour," they said. To learn more about uSpeak, please visit:
Edinburgh Reporter
03-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Liaison group to monitor blasting at Lothians quarry
Concerned residents will form part of a liaison group which is being set-up to monitor blasting at a busy quarry on the outskirts of Edinburgh. This follows decisions by the City of Edinburgh Council to approve an extension to Ravelrig Quarry near Balerno. City councillors also voted to allow the operators to increase the blasting level, despite objections from local residents who are worried about the long-term impact, and an agreement of by the quarrying company, Tarmac, that no increase in blasting levels is necessary for continued operation. Tarmac plan to start mining quarrying rock under a parcel of land to the south of the current site and Edinburgh councillors argued that material from the quarry was vital to help solve the city's current housing crisis. Tarmac say that the quarry, which was opened in 1984, has almost exhausted the rock in its current location, and they told the city council's Development Management Committee that mining would have to stop 'within a couple of years' if permission was not granted. Balerno Community Council (BCC) will also be represented on the liaison group and Richard Henderson, chair of BCC, said that the group would aim to establish a shared understanding of key planning conditions, protect the well-being of the local community and ensure that any development proceeds in a fair, transparent and accountable manner. He also said that BCC recognise the importance of Ravelrig Quarry both locally and nationally and confirmed that they have been working closely with Tarmac and local residents over the past three years. Henderson added: 'We know that Tarmac have made a big investment in developing the monitoring processes which are helping minimise the impact of the quarry activities. 'We are very grateful for that, and we are also now working with Tarmac to develop a Good Neighbour Agreement in relation to future operation of the site.' As part of that process, a web-based system is to be developed to provide more public information on each blast. Henderson added that the city council will attend any liaison group meetings if asked to do so and said: 'The liaison group will be able to assist in the continuing work directed at further minimising any remaining nuisance.' Last month, Tarmac advised the city council that blasting operations, including in the extension, could continue to operate within the levels which applied until 30 April. QUARRY SITE: general view of Ravelrig near Balerno. Picture by Nigel Duncan CLOSE UP VIEW: Ravelrig Quarry taken from the main gate. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'If Amazon can't make Neighbours work, no-one can'
When you think about it, Neighbours announcing that it was ending, before reuniting some of the soap's biggest stars like Kylie and Jason Donovan for a grand finale, and then coming back mere months later… and then getting cancelled again, is peak Neighbours behaviour. In 2023 Amazon had swooped in for new episodes after Channel 5 axed the soap to make way for more "UK shows", but on Thursday 20 February the soap announced that there won't be any new episodes after 2025. It was axed on the same day the streamer announced it had taken full creative control of James Bond from the franchise's long-running producer Barbara Broccoli, a high profile franchise that Amazon had paid billions for. That must have given an extra sting for its cast and crew, along with the soap's fans, especially as all of this is taking place on the soap's 40th year. The most depressing thing about Neighbour's cancellation is that if Amazon is not able to make the revival work, I am not sure anywhere else now can. Despite Neighbours receiving praise for its storylines and for radiating a bit more positivity than other British soaps, with the majority of the show's fans being located in the UK, the streamer was essentially propping up a soap on the other side of the world. Its most recent axing comes at a time when soaps are currently going through the motions, which makes me doubt whether any other broadcaster will pick it up. Despite an excellent set of episodes marking EastEnders' 40th Anniversary this week, it comes at a time when ITV's Coronation Street and Emmerdale are cutting the number of new hours every week, Hollyoaks has been reduced from five new episodes a week to three, and BBC daytime soap Doctors has ended altogether. It is worth mentioning that Amazon picking up Neighbours for its ad-supported Freevee service was a surprise to everyone at the time, even though there had been a huge social media effort by fans for a broadcaster to save the soap. This was a first foray by a major streamer into the world of serialised drama. Streaming services prefer premium limited series, which tend to cost a lot more per episode, but are more flexible, and less of a production line. While each episode of a soap is a lot cheaper to make, they also come with a lot of commitments: a permanent crew, many characters, a permanent set to maintain, along with a commitment of hundreds of episodes, regardless of the viewership. Yet at the time, Neighbours seemed like the perfect blend. The beloved Aussie soap was used as a way to promote its fledgling ad-supported streaming service, Amazon Freevee, which had been recently rebranded from IMDBTV (honestly, an alphabet soup name of a streamer, perhaps the worst name of all time). Yet Freevee has now been axed, with its free content now subsumed into Prime Video itself. And while Prime Video still provides free content on its platform, it just doesn't feel as much of a priority compared to its subscription shows any more. And even though it was regularly at the top of its own most watched chart, I also wonder how many new viewers the Amazon iteration of Neighbours actually brought in. Soaps used to attract the next generation of viewers by stumbling across a plot whilst flicking through the channels, where it would become an appointment-to-view habit. Now you have to go out of your way and scroll through menus to load up a single episode, a more complicated routine to get into the habit of. While the soap had a broadcasting partner in Australia, it was no longer shown on linear television here in the UK, and that made me wonder whether it had naturally dropped out of our cultural conversation a bit. Still, I'll be pouring one out for Karl and Susan at this difficult time. And Bouncer the Dog and Harold too. And if Madge comes out for the finale (again), I'll be a mess (again). Neighbours is streaming on Prime Video. For now.
