Principal
Karen Jagers
At the commencement of Term 3 on 19th July 2016, Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli, announced changes to the HSC the first changes in 18 years. The following is the direct extract taken from BOSTES (The Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW is responsible for school curriculum, assessment, and teaching and regulatory standards in NSW schools). Every school, primary and secondary, has a part to play in the reform process.
Stronger HSC Standards
The New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC) is a highly valued credential in Australia and internationally. BOSTES has identified key areas for reform through extensive consideration of issues relating to the HSC at board level and in consultation with major stakeholders over the past three years.
At the heart of the HSC reforms is the establishment of a minimum standard in literacy and numeracy for the award of the HSC. The minimum standard reform underpins the two other areas of reform – Curriculum and Assessment – through revised course structure and content, as well as streamlined assessment.
These changes will provide a flexible HSC that caters for the needs of all students, with options to extend students in their studies.
The reforms
The reforms will be implemented in two phases, with initial changes announced by the Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli, on 19 July 2016. These reforms will come into effect over the next four years along with new Year 11 and 12 syllabuses in English, Maths, Science and History. They include:
> establishing a minimum literacy and numeracy standard from 2020. Students in Year 9 from 2017 will be able to meet the standard by achieving Band 8 in NAPLAN in reading, writing and numeracy. From 2018, an online literacy and numeracy test will be available for students to demonstrate they have met the standard
> establishing a regular review cycle of syllabuses provided online. Syllabuses will provide more opportunities for students to master knowledge and skills
> new courses, starting with a Science Extension course for Year 12 from 2019
> introducing rigorous guidelines for effective school-based assessment that focuses on the application of knowledge and skills, and reduces student stress by capping the number of tasks
> redesign HSC exam questions to assess depth of knowledge and application of skills
> apply a common scale for maths, to encourage students to study the maths course best suited to their level of ability.
Further information in regards to the HSC reforms can be found at this link http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/policy-research/pdf_doc/stronger-hsc-std-current-state-future-state.pdf.
Parent Surveys from MYCORP have been sent to parent emails this week. Receiving feedback from parents, students and staff is an important function to assist schools in their quest for continuous improvement. This process is a requirement of all schools. Thank you to those who have taken the time to respond in this early stage. The window frame for this survey closes on Sunday 14th August.
In a major way, the school is planning for 2017. As you would understand, this is a complex task. All vital information needs to be “on the table”. Hence if you know your child is not returning in 2017, we need to know now. All enrolments for Kindergarten from our school community should have been received. The school cannot guarantee placement for late enrolments from our school community or the wider community to Kindergarten.
Students not returning in 2017
The school is in very important planning mode for 2017. If your child/ren is/are not returning for the 2017 school year, please advise us by completing the google doc or print the attached form and return to the office.