This issue:

April 2001

Board of Studies website
Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus
Mathematics K–10 Symposium

The following K-6 item was added to the Board of Studies website in March–mid-April 2001

K–6 Modern Greek K–6 Syllabus

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Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus

Representatives from the Department of Education and Training, Catholic Dioceses and Christian Community School authorities have met with the Board of Studies to discuss the recently released Creative Arts K–6 syllabus and support documents. Participants ‘took a walk through' the syllabus and support documents with senior officers and selected teachers and discussed implementation plans. Discussion also focussed on the Department of Education and Training option of staging the implementation of the syllabus, noting the requirements of the Education Act 1990 that Visual Arts and Music must be taught in this key learning area. Representatives from arts organisations across the state also met to discuss the new syllabus and support documents as well as the wide range of programs that are currently being offered to support the teaching of visual arts, music, drama and dance in the community. Attention focused on the ways in which programs within state and regional galleries and museums, music organisations, performing arts companies and professional associations could be further linked to the intentions of the new syllabus to support teachers in their implementation of visual arts, music, drama and dance.
The following Creative Arts K–6 documents are now available on the Board's website (www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au):

• Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus
• Creative Arts K–6 Units of Work
• Creative Arts K–6 Principal's Package
• Introducing Parents and the Community to Creative Arts K–6
• Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus — School Planning in the Creative Arts. (This document includes commentary on frequently asked questions, including the place of craft, working with the four artforms etc.)
• Creative Arts K–6 Resources. Further information: Contact: Kerry Thomas Inspector, Creative Arts Phone: (02) 9367 8161 email: thomas@boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au

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Mathematics K–10 Symposium

More than 170 delegates participated in the Mathematics K–10 Symposium to raise and explore some key issues in the review and development of Mathematics syllabuses for the compulsory years of schooling. The delegates were nominated by key educational organisations and included mostly teachers, parents and academics. Six academics, Professor Sue Willis (Monash University), Professor John Mack (University of Sydney), Associate Professor Bob Perry (University of Western Sydney), Associate Professor Dianne Siemon (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), Professor John Pegg (University of New England) and Professor Garth Gaudry (University of New South Wales), presented papers on Mathematics learning. Delegates participated in workshops and discussed issues related to:

• identification of the mathematical ideas that contribute to essential knowledge, skills and understanding for all students
• the structure and delivery of Mathematics K–10
• curriculum models to address issues in the design of a continuum of Mathematics learning in the compulsory years, and
• the structure of a K–10 continuum that would meet the needs of all students.

The symposium was one of a number of strategies used to collect data as part of the review. Other strategies have included a literature review, oral and written submissions from invited organisations and academics and a survey of 100 schools. Additional data have been contributed through surveys and written submissions from other groups and individuals. Findings from the data collected will be used to establish the broad directions for the writing brief/s. The writing brief/s will be sent to all schools and organisations with an interest in Mathematics education, for consultation from 23 July to 27 August 2001. Updates on the Mathematics K–10 Review are included in the ‘What's New' section on the Board's website at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au