Primary Matters

Teachers are invited to get involved in the Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus revision, with the Draft Writing Brief now available for consultation.

Teachers are encouraged to provide feedback by completing the Draft Writing Brief Survey. Completed surveys are due to the Board of Studies by 6 June 2008.

Teachers are encouraged to attend consultation meetings at locations across NSW. See the consultation schedule for the date and venue of your nearest consultation meeting.

Comments and suggestions from the meetings and survey will be considered and used to finalise the Writing Brief which will provide directions to writers of the draft syllabus.

For more information on the revision of the Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus contact Nicholas Perkins, Senior Curriculum Officer, Primary Education on (02)9367 8180 or nicholas.perkins@bos.nsw.edu.au.

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus Draft Writing Brief

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus Draft Writing Brief Survey

Teachers are invited to get involved in the K-6 Science and Technology syllabus revision, with consultation on the draft writing brief commencing in Term 2, 2008.

Board Bulletin (Vol 17 No 1)

On 11 December 2007, the Board of Studies approved the Broad Directions for revision of the K–6 Science and Technology syllabus.

This follows wide consultation with the education community, including surveys and a symposium held in August 2007.

John O’Brien, Director Curriculum, said, ‘The Broad Directions will now become the underlying principles for the final syllabus. One key direction will be to capture the wonder, curiosity and interest young students have for science and technology and develop that into a base for lifelong learning.

‘The consultation has shown that teachers are generally looking formore clarity in the syllabus and a clear continuumof learning in science and technology.’

‘These goals, as well as a user-friendly structure, are now included in the Broad Directions.’

Writers have begun developing these Broad Directions into a draft writing brief for the revised syllabus in Term1, 2008. Teachers will be invited to read and comment on the draft writing brief in Term2, and are encouraged to check the Board Bulletin and the Board’s website for details. (See Important Dates on page 11 in this issue.)

Board Bulletin (Vol 17 No 1)

Every primary, infants and central school principal recently received the Board’s new Parents’ Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses, launched by the Minister for Education and Training, John Della Bosca, on 5 February.

There has been an overwhelmingly positive response to the new booklet, which aims to give parents a straightforward explanation of the K–6 syllabuses, with examples of what their children might learn in each stage.

The Guide also explains important educational terms like ‘key learning area’ and ‘integrated units’, as well as giving suggested hours for each subject area, links to the Board’s Assessment Resource Centre and other useful information.

Mr Della Bosca said the Parents’ Guide built on the Board’s Foundation Statements to help parents better understand their child’s progress from Kindergarten to Year 6.

NSW Minister for Education and Training, John Della Bosca, has launched a new guide to make it easier for parents to follow their children’s education and progress through their primary school years.

“The Parents’ Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses will be sent to schools across the State to help parents better understand their child’s progress from Kindergarten to Year 6,” the Minister said.

How you can contribute work samples

Have you thought about contributing work samples from your own students to publish on this website? Click on the above link to read about how you can contribute.

For Years K-6 (Stages 1, 2 & 3)

Since the last update of this site in September 2007, we have added new activities for Stage 2 English, Creative Arts and PDHPE and Stage 3 English, Creative Arts and PDHPE. We have also added additional aligned work samples across the following Key Learning Areas in K–6.

Board Bulletin (Vol 16 No 4)

Aboriginal Perspectives

The Board is seeking teachers to be involved in developing a range of curriculum resources to assist in delivering the Aboriginal and Indigenous cross-curriculum content embedded in all the new Years 7–10 syllabuses.

The project will be carried out over an extended period of time and will include Aboriginal Curriculum Unit staff working with Aboriginal community groups, school systems and teachers.

Teachers with experience in programming and an interest in teaching relevant, authentic Aboriginal perspectives that provide significance within the curriculum for Aboriginal people, are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to be added to the register.

For more information and to download an Expression of Interest form, visit the Board's website

Closing date: Friday 30 November 2007.
Enquiries: Kevin Lowe on phone (02) 9367 8198 or email kevin.lowe@bos.nsw.edu.au

K–6 Science and Technology curriculum writers

A register of curriculum writers is being created to assist with the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus review and revision. The register will be used to identify potential writers for the syllabus or other tasks at various stages of the syllabus development process, beginning in Term 1 2008.

Interested people are invited to submit an expression of interest for inclusion on the register. Expressions of interest are particularly sought from people with skills and interests in the writing of the K–6 Science and Technology curriculum material.

For more information on the positions and application process, and to download an Expression of Interest form, visit the Board's website.

Closing date: Friday 23 November 2007.
Enquiries: Nicholas Perkins, phone (02) 9367 8180 or email nicholas.perkins@bos.nsw.edu.au

Board Bulletin (Vol 16 No 4)

The evaluation of the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus has sought widespread input from primary and secondary students, teachers, parent bodies, community groups, professional bodies, education and industry experts and members of the public.

Board Bulletin (Vol 16 No 4)

Board Bulletin (Vol 16 No 4)

Primary principals and teachers have expressed their support of the NSW K–6 syllabuses and the curriculum structure overall. In recent data collection involving principals from seven regions across NSW, the principals reported that the Foundation Statements had been well received and that they provided a clear understanding of the common curriculum requirements.

The findings were presented to the Board of Studies at the September meeting in a report on the initial monitoring of the implementation of the NSW K–6 syllabuses. Feedback from meetings conducted by Board Inspectors across each KLA was also included.

Board of Studies Relieving Primary Inspector, Christine Taylor, said the feedback from principals and teachers covered topics such as the use of specialist teachers, text books, the teaching of language and transition points in schooling.

'The findings show that the work samples have proved to be useful to schools, and schools expressed a desire for more work samples to assist them in assessing students' work,' Christine said.

In 2008 and 2009 a similar approach to seeking feedback on syllabus implementation will be taken, as well as seeking feedback from professional organisations, the Department of Education and Training, the Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools.

Board Bulletin (Vol 16 No 3)

Teachers in six regions across NSW have been involved in the initial phase of the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus review, with five further consultation meetings to be held during Term 3. 

The Office of the Board of Studies is establishing a register of reviewers to assist with the annual Key Learning Area (KLA) Review.

The KLA Review supports the non-government school registration program by reviewing the curriculum documentation submitted by non-government schools in support of applications for registration and/or accreditation.

KLA Review 2008 - Expression of Interest for KLA Reviewers

More than 270 activities and almost 1000 work samples aligned to grades are now on the Assessment Resource Centre (ARC) for Stages 1 to 5.

Almost 500 primary work samples are now on the ARC across all key learning areas. More than 80 activities are also available on the site to assist teachers in awarding A to E grades in Semester 1 reports.

The Board has a commitment to consultation in the syllabus development and review process, ensuring quality syllabuses that meet the needs of teachers and students.

Teachers have the opportunity to contribute to up to six syllabus reviews during Term 2: one primary and three secondary syllabus projects as well as the development of two new industry frameworks in consultation phases.

University lecturers shared their research into primary education at Primary Education Forums hosted by the Board of Studies in 2006. The Board Bulletin has been asked to provide more information on the Forums and the lecturers' presentations. Here is a summary of a paper presented by Dr John De Nobile of Macquarie University at one of the Forums.