The Australian Curriculum at StAC Parent Information Evening Tuesday 19 July, 2011
Prayer for Light and Grace Look kindly Lord on this group that trusts in You. During this gathering, as we discuss and reflect on important issues Help us to hear the voice of your Spirit and receive your Word in faith. Give us wisdom and discernment prudence in judgement Firmness in decision and wisdom in planning. May diversity of views come together in common goals. May we always act with due concern for both the present and the future respecting our traditions but attentive to the signs of the time. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen LEADER: You have made us for yourself, O Lord, RESPONSE: And our hearts are restless until they rest in You. LEADER: St Augustine RESPONSE: Pray for us
Agenda Context ACARA and the new Australian Curriculum Challenges for StAC Some key decisions Outcomes what do we want to achieve? Considerations Key Messages What do you think? Next Moves
Context The ACARA Agenda; Watch and see approach before committing to change; 10 years young is a good time to review current practice; State Government initiative re: Yr 7 into secondary school; Challenges; The need to move with the confidence of our parent / carer group.
Curriculum Changes ACARA = Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority ACARA s vision What does the new Curriculum look like? P-10 (changes do not apply to Yrs 11 and 12) Australian Curriculum has been in draft for several years public (teacher & parent) consultation Gradual process of implementation
Phases of Implementation Phase 1 English, Mathematics, Science & History 2012 Phase 2 Geography, Languages, The Arts 2013 Phase 3 Remaining areas e.g. Physical Education, Technology 2014 Australian Curriculum website: www.australiancurriculum.edu.au
Australian Curriculum in a Queensland context Role of the Queensland Studies Authority [QSA] now and into the future; Role of Brisbane Catholic Education; The StAC journey with the Australian Curriculum so far; Curriculum Leadership @ StAC Consists of.. AP Curriculum; EY, JY, MY 6/7,MY 8/9 Teaching and Learning Coordinators; Academic Coordinators Yrs 6 12; Curriculum Development Committee; Leadership team
Challenges for StAC presented by the Australian Curriculum Curriculum design including identifying the bridging curriculum ; Demands on teachers; Rigorous curriculum designed to improve student outcomes; Assessment and reporting with 5 point scale (A-E); Delivering the Australian Curriculum in a Multi-age Grouping structure.
StAC s Big Rocks P-12 Developmental learning in a multi-age setting Inclusion Middle schooling Pastoral care Information Communication Learning Technologies [ICLTs] Religious Life of the School Parent partnerships.
What do we value about Multi-Age Groupings? Diversity Flexibility Relationships Pastoral care of students Lens to view curriculum
Letting go of one of StAC's Big Rocks
Decisions for the future of StAC: an evolution not a revolution Phase out Multi-age grouping as the preferred class structure from 2012 Move to Year Level groupings (with the key elements that we value in a developmental approach to learning) This is an evolution of the class structures with a renewed focus on pedagogy, rigour, our core values and student engagement in learning
3 Year Plan Evolution does not happen overnight Transitional arrangements will be required to help us get to where we want to be in 2014 The Australian Curriculum will take several years to implement Many implications and associated areas to develop
OUTCOMES: What will it look like in 2012 & beyond? Improved student outcomes evidenced by data from NAPLAN, QCS, Yr 12 results, Academic awards in MY and SY, Diagnostic assessment in all groups. Most new Learning Areas implemented Sustained developmental approach to thinking and learning Inquiry Based Learning embedded in planning A common understanding of 5 point reporting framework (i.e. A-E); Year Level classes
Considerations Staffing [who, what, when?] Positions of Added Responsibility Enrolments Laptops for Year 8 PACT (elective subjects) & RLT (core subjects) Camps & Retreats Timetabling Home Group structure and location Resources Pastoral Structures Looping
Looping: Supporting students through long term relationships Home groups stay together for 2 or more years; Based on nurturing long term relationships between students, teacher and parents; Benefits : students Familiar with teaching style, behaviour boundaries & expectations of the teacher; Familiarity with dynamics of the social grouping; Increase in confidence in the class setting which encourages risk taking in learning; Benefits : Parents and teachers
What remains the same? Meeting the diverse needs of students; Developmental approach to learning; Collaborative planning and cooperative learning; Focused assessment; Internal and external moderation for quality assurance; Class sizes; Pastoral Care and learning support for students; Opportunity for students to continue to socialise with students in other year levels; Our precinct structures will remain the same including Middle Schooling [Yrs 6 9] Senior Years of schooling
Key Messages This is an evolution informed by the implementation of the Australian Curriculum for P 10 ; In 2011, the focus is on implementing English and Maths and exploring History and Science; Valuing Middle Years of Schooling approach for Yrs 6 9; A better shared understanding of the A E reporting system;
More Key Messages In line with the vision for ACARA, we expect more rigour, explicit teaching and better learning outcomes and we will work and be accountable for reaching the outcomes; The three year plan is about StAC leading & managing a well planned and sustainable transition to the new Australian Curriculum; There is continued focus on the Foundations for success: Confidence, Organisation, Resilience, Persistence and Getting Along skills. Parents and carers can have confidence that StAC is ready and well prepared to deliver the Australian Curriculum; Year Level classes
So, what do you think? Think-pair-share You + person next to you Your pair + nearby pair Together generate any group questions or feedback you may have Question box
Next Moves in 2011 & 2012 Student information session in near future; Information package on College website, with regular updates in newsletter; 2012 class placement process begins in Term 4 (including teaching staff & classrooms) Planning & teaching using the English & Maths documents; Planning using the Science documents (followed by History); Teacher professional learning; Resolution of the other considerations
Final Prayer God of love and understanding You call us into life-giving community. We pray for compassion, wisdom and justice that we may Remember that You are present in each of us Listen to each other with understanding Hear not only what is being said, but what is not said Respect our differences as we work in collaboration Consider the needs of the school we serve and support Trust in the purpose You have for each of us Realise our ability to bring about your mission We ask this through Jesus the Christ, our companion and guide. AMEN LEADER: You have made us for yourself, O Lord RESPONSE: And our hearts are restless until they rest in You. LEADER: St Augustine RESPONSE: Pray for us
Conclusion Please place your additional questions and comments in the QUESTION BOX