Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2011

CURRICULUM

wMffi &ffiffiwffi&tuffi&ru ffiffiffiffiffiffiffituffiMx WMffi ffiffiffiffiffiruW ffiW&Wffi ffiffi ffifu&W MS SAMANTHA BOLTON, Dean of Studies

One of the most hotly debated political topics in recent years has been the merits of a national curriculum and the subsequent form such a curriculum would take were it to be embraced. Paradoxically the prospect of a standardised Australian Curriculum offers an exciting opportunity for innovation while also having the potential to limit and standardise what happens In classrooms across the country. Certainly the notion of what Peter Hill, that initial curriculum design should focus the ChiefExecutive Officer ofthe Australian on the disciplines of English, mathematics, Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting science and historywith geography, Authority (ACARA) terms "the languages and the arts being part of a later development and implementation of a phase.The specific details ofthe curricula wodd-class Australian curriculum that for the Phase 1 subjects are now available will prepare young people for life in the atwww.australiancurriculum.edu.au and 21st century" (Hill, 2010) is a laudable are accessible to all. stuclents rt rs our cnauenge as a Jchool to . ----o- :IT:"i?::::.""11'.ryT::: ^'}T:* phases. rn December 20 10 at a meeting tne Dest elements or tne new cufrrculum of the Ministerial Council for Education, documents and comt rne them wrth next practicemoders.fp.*g:gt: w- engaged ir this phase-of thinking, planning 'c.rrric,rla irf.i,ffis;tBffi;#r:il1];H The basic principles undedying the achievement standards were not. ACARA development oftheAustralian Curiculum has been asked to resubmit these for are framed on the Melbourne Deelaration on approval, along with any alterations to the Educational GoalsforYoungAustralians content by October this year (ISQUpdate (2008). These goals were identified as 4February2071). It is expected that these being, "to promote equity and excellence" Phase I subjects will have been implemented and to assist all Australians to become, in schools by 2013 from Foundation (the "successful learners, confident and creative term used to refer to the year preceding individuals and active and informed Year 1) to Year 10. In Qreensland the citizens". Education ministers determined expectation is that science, maths and fo, English, mathematics, science and development this year' and history was approved but the aspiration. In order to continue providing exceptional learning opportunities for our . ,," ------. ;- ,.- -limelines have been established for the developmentandimplementationofthe

trnglish implementation will occur in 20I2.At this stage the senior curriculum is still being developed so timelines for implementatio rt arre undecided. As recognised leaders in secon dary education, it is not suprising that several of our senior staffmembers have been invited to contribute to the Australian Curriculum at a number of stages. Mr Greg Bland, Director of Mathematics, through his involvement with the Qreensland Association of Mathematics teachers Qreensland Studies Authoriry (Q$A) and ACARA in the last two years, including a detailed workshop on the proposed senior mathematics curriculum. His faculty has provided extensive feedback on junior mathematics and all four senior subjects. In terms of implementing the requirements of the new curriculum, the faculty has audited the subject programmes f,or Years 8, 9 and 10, resulting in revisions and refinements to ensure that requirements are met and that students continue to be challenged to maximise their learning. Mr Stephen Woods also has led the English Faculty in a review of the requirements of the Australian Curriculum. As part of the journey towards implementation the faculty has introduced the use of

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