Primary Matters

Primary Matters January 1997

From Board Bulletin, Vol 6 No. 1 January 1997

Primary Curriculum Development in 1997

K-6 curriculum development will focus on the following areas in 1997:

Mathematics
- consultation on the stage outcomes

English
- writing of and consultation on the revised syllabus and support documents

Science and Technology
- addressing issues identified in the 1996 limited evaluation of the syllabus and support document

Human Society and Its Environment
- development of the syllabus and support documents and trialling of Citizenship work units

Creative Arts
- development of the draft syllabus and support documents

PDHPE
- trialling of the Physical Activity for Fitness and Health support document

Curriculum Integration
- development of the Linkages support material.

The collection of work samples will be undertaken as part of all these projects.

Early Childhood Seminar

A full-day seminar entitled 'Early Childhood and Board of Studies' Syllabuses' was held at the Office of the Board of Studies on 3 December 1996. The 25 participants that attended the seminar included classroom teachers, academics, representatives of the Early Childhood Education Council, consultants, syllabus writers and Board officers.

The seminar was organised to identify and address key early childhood education issues in the development of K-6 syllabuses. Presentations by Dr Sue Dockett (University of Western Sydney and Board member) and Suzanne Yates (Principal, Botany Public School and President of the Early Childhood Education Council of NSW) were a feature of the day. A report on the seminar including proceedings from the day will be presented to the Board this month.

English K-6

The final report (Report B) on the review of the English K-6 Syllabus and Support Document will be presented to the Board of Studies on 25 February. This report will provide the Board with proposals for addressing issues raised in the first report to the Board. The Project Team that will be responsible for drafting the revised syllabus will commence work shortly. A notice seeking expressions of interest for members of the English K-6 Project Team can be found in this edition of the Board Bulletin on page 9.

If you would like further information regarding these items or K-6 curriculum matters in general, contact Margaret Malone, Inspector, Primary Education, ph (02) 9927 8199 or fax (02) 9954 9218.