Principal's Report
Dears Parents & Carers
NSW Curriculum Review
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has recently released the NSW Curriculum Review Interim Report. On 13 May 2018, the
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the then Minister for Education Rob Stokes announced that NESA will undertake a review of the NSW curriculum to ensure it equips students to continue to contribute to Australian society into the 21st century. NESA engaged Professor Geoff Masters, CEO of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to lead the review.
The Review entitled ‘Nurturing Wonder and Igniting Passion Designs for a future school curriculum’ looks at the key areas of concern with the current curriculum. The report can be downloaded here and sets out the key recommendations for the future. All stakeholders are asked to provide feedback on the review. There is a consultation meeting in Armidale on Thursday 28th November from 4pm - 6pm. To register follow this link.
The major recommendations fall under three main areas:
1. Reforming the Content of the Curriculum
-creating a less crowded curriculum
-promoting deep understanding
-building skills in applying knowledge
-a common entitlement
2. Reforming the Structure of the Curriculum
-creating a more flexible curriculum
- restructuring the curriculum
- setting high expectations
- monitoring whether learning is on track
- ensuring continuity of learning
- assessing and communicating learning
3. Reforming the Senior Schools Curriculum
- Creating a more integrated curriculum
- recognising progress and attainment
- introducing a major project
- redefining learning areas
- reviewing the ATAR
The review is a once in a generation opportunity to shape learning in NSW to provide a curriculum that better meets the needs of our society. I urge everyone to be involved in the decision making and consultation.
HSC
Our HSC students continue to complete their HSC exams and some are finished or almost finished. Congratulations to all our students who have managed these final exams with resilience and determination. I know that their hard work will pay off in results they are proud of. A big thankyou to Mrs Kerry Steller, Presiding Officer for the exams and her team of people who have run the exams so professionally.
We will celebrate the culmination of their schooling with the Year 12 Formal on Friday 15th November.
Micah Scholes-Robertson
Micah Scholes-Robertson School Captain 2018 was recently received into the Catholic faith. Micah has been doing a gap year as a LaSallian volunteer in New Zealand at De La Salle Mangere. Cardinal Mafi of Tonga celebrated the Mass at the College and students and their families who Micah had been working with were part of the celebration. Our Youth Ministers, Isaac Selvey, Eliza Clark and Brydie Hawthorne travelled to New Zealand to be part of this great occasion. Brydie Hawthorne was Micah’s sponsor. Micah wore Samoan formal dress and the LaSallian tie. What a wonderful celebration of our faith!
