Journal-No.05_09
4/8/09
3:16 PM
Page 6
CONTINUED...
SACE UPDATE
tations are very high which creates a lot of stress for their children. There are entrance exams for every level of education.
Latest developments from the SACE Board
Why did you join the AEU? I am a passionate union activist. I joined the AEU when I was at teachers’ college. During my 13 years at Brompton I was motivated to become more involved in union activities. I participated in union education training and was one of many women who gained confidence in combining the difficult task of motherhood and a career. There were many issues facing working women and I was one of the fortunate to be eligible for accouchement leave (12 months without pay for child rearing).
How did this evolve to sub-branch secretary? At Walkerville I had the opportunity to become a sub-branch secretary and became more aware of my role, which was to share information as well as support and promote AEU membership. In 1994, I participated in the Anna Stewart Memorial Project and shadowed the CFMEU (Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union) officials for two weeks. I gained a greater awareness of the diverse roles of women in the workforce and the part unions play in social justice. I was also a member of the Status of Women Committee where we provided direction on issues relevant to women and girls in education.
How did Greenwith Primary School get involved in the EB action? We voted on the workload protection and would like to acknowledge the support of parents in the campaign. The positive comments received from the community were displayed on our ‘apple tree’ in the front foyer. We modified our student reports but ensured activities such as aquatics camps that were a part of the curriculum went ahead. Non-unionists at school supported the sub-branch in the focus on learning and workload protection campaigns. They agreed with the guidelines so it was adopted by all staff.
What do you enjoy about teaching ? I love what I do, love teaching Japanese and children are fantastic. I enjoy my classes and the kids make you come alive. If kids can still do that for you after 40 years I know I’m in the right place. Relationships and making a difference is what I set out to do when I started teaching. Sometimes I just get excited when a Year 1 or 2 child can respond in Japanese. I
New SACE Stage 1 subjects set to be taught for the first time in 2010.
middle manager workshop information. The SACE Board will provide information about Term 4 professional development opportunities later this term. Term 4 opportunities are likely to focus on preparing for teaching the Research Project in 2011 and supporting the preparation of Stage 1 Learning and Assessment Plans. If your preferred workshop date and venue is full, please register your interest and the SACE Board will accommodate you as soon as possible.
holders in the consultation. • The development of a SACE Recognition Register which will guide the fair and consistent recognition of VET units towards the SACE. The final recognition arrangements will come into effect from 2011. For SACE students studying VET in 2010, 50 hours of accredited VET will be recognised as 10 SACE credits. This continues the current approach where 50 hours of VET equal one SACE unit. The final arrangements will be shaped by the advice of a VET partnership group including representatives of the three school sectors, unions, the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology, Business SA, private and public registered training organisations, the Training and Skills Commission and the university sector. Guidelines for how to include VET pathways in the new SACE and details about how individual VET units will be recognised in the SACE through the use of the SACE Recognition Register, will be finalised and available early in 2010. Transition arrangements will be in place for students who include VET as part of their SACE studies next year, but do not complete the SACE in 2010. The arrangements will ensure students will not be disadvantaged. A policy circular will be sent to schools soon with more detail.
Vocational education and training
Tertiary entrance
The SACE Board has endorsed key directions for recognising vocational education and training (VET) in the new SACE. The Board has announced the new recognition arrangements will begin in 2011. Consultation on the proposed new arrangements was completed in June, with significant feedback received from schools, the AEU and SA Unions, business and industry, VET providers and many other stakeholders. At a meeting of the SACE Board in July, members endorsed the key directions of the new arrangements which offer increased flexibility for students to include VET in SACE studies.
SATAC has published the booklet, Tertiary Entrance 2010, 2011, 2012, which explains tertiary entrance for students in Years 10, 11 and 12. This includes arrangements for using the new SACE for higher and further education selection for 2012 entry. The booklet (pictured) is being distributed to schools and will be made available for download on the SATAC website:
Professional development Term 3 is a key period of professional development for SACE teachers. Registrations are open for Learning Area workshops and middle managers’ workshops to be held in metropolitan and country locations throughout Term 3. The Learning Area workshops will help teachers understand how to adjust their teaching programs and design assessment programs for the revised Stage 1 subjects to be introduced in 2010. The Term 3 middle manager workshops are designed to build practical understanding of assessment and performance standards. To book your place visit:
www.saceboard.sa.edu.au/ sace-bulletin (and follow the links to professional development). You can also call
(08) 8226 2362 for learning area workshop information or (08) 8372 7552 for
The Board endorsed key directions including: • An expanded role for VET in the SACE, which was strongly supported by stake-
http://twitter.com/aeusa
Note: The AEU has printed this information at the request of the SACE Board.
For more information about the new SACE including subject outlines, professional development opportunities and more go to:
6
www.satac.edu.au
www.saceboard.sa.edu.au