VADEA National Curriculum Bulletin

October 21, 2010 Vol. 1 Issue 1

Welcome

This E-Bulletin is aimed at providing up to dateinformation and resources on the proposed changesto Visual Arts in the Australian Curriculum.

Page 1

Consultation on

The Arts Draft Shape Paper

closes in

18 Days!

Visit the ACARA site. Every response counts.Make sure you add your informed commentto each question.

http://www.acara.edu.au/arts.html

*Please follow the links

The Arts Shape Paper

is designed to inform thecurriculum writers on the structure and content of

The Arts

Curriculum.If it concerns you that artmaking will be reducedto

PLAY

please log on and make sure yourfeedback registers.

Feedback can be done

30 November 2010

VADEA E-BULLETIN

Vol. 6

Feedback on the draft

Shape of the Australian Curriculum: The Arts

This survey gives you an opportunity to haveyour say on ACARA’s draft

Shape of the Australian Curriculum: The Arts

for years Kthrough to 12.Closing date:

17 December 2010

http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/surveys/arts-draft-shape.htmlFace to face

feedback with the BOS will start inTerm 4, with Primary School teachers. Term 12011 the BOS will conduct face to face sessionswith Secondary Arts teachers.

However, it is important that you complete theonline feedback now.

NSW BOS Online Survey

In The News

OPINION PIECE

WHAT DO THE ARTS BRING TO EDUCATION?

Jane Gooding-Brown23 October 2010

“…far from being irrelevant in a test-driven education system, arts education is becoming even more important as standardised tests (like the Australian NAPLAN tests) exert a narrowing influence over what schools teach.”

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11265&page=1

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

THE AUSTRALIAN

, 29 November 2010More Mobile Students Need A National Curriculum

AUSTRALIA'S national story has a recurring theme.

Written by Peter Garret

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/more-mobile-students-need-a-national-curriculum/comments-fn59niix-1225962379374THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

, 28 November 2010NSW Head Teachers Blast New Curriculum

HOPES for a national school curriculum are crumbling as top principals describe the proposed version as a ''bitter disappointment''.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/nsw-head-teachers-blast-new-curriculum-20101127-18bel.htmlTHE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

, 27 November 2010National Curriculum In Doubt

''This process is an absolute disgrace,'' Dr Newcombe said. ''If the ACARA board and CEO are not capable of fixing it, they should resign.''

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/national-curriculum-in-doubt-20101126-18ane.htmlTHE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

, 26 November 2010NSW Poised To Reject 'Underprepared' Curriculum

The Education Minister, Verity Firth, received advice from the NSW Board of Studies that more time was needed for consultation in response to concerns raised by stakeholders.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/nsw-poised-to-reject-underprepared-curriculum-20101125-18961.html

30 November 2010

VADEA E-BULLETIN

Vol. 6

November 1

saw the launch of the Seymour Centre’s Arts Education program for 2011. To coincide with theevent a forum and feedback session on the Draft Shape Paper for the Arts (DSPA) was held. Presenters included:- Professor John O’Toole, ACARA Lead Writer for the draft Shape Paper- Linda Lorenza, ACARA Senior Project Officer-Arts- Jay McPherson, Board of Studies Inspector Creative Arts- Deidhre Wauchop, Curriculum Manager, Creative Arts K-6, Department of Education and Training andACARA Curriculum Advisory Panel member- Mathew Clausen, President Australian Teachers of Media New South Wales and Drama teacher atLoreto Kirribilli- Colleen Roche, President Drama New South Wales.Seeing this lineup one would have to agree that the event was not to be missed, given the fact that most ofthe presenters are the

movers and shakers

in the development of the Shape Paper. Unfortunately the event gaveme the feeling I was

crashing

someone else’s party. Although it was referred to as an

Arts Education Launch

therewasn’t anything that really related to the Visual Arts.

I did have to ask myself

“If you are holding a forum on the Arts Shape Paper with the lead writer (who has done everything possible to state the major benefit of the Shape Paper is that it is all arts inclusive) wouldn’t you go out of your way to make sure that all 5 artforms are catered for in your program?”

It seemed not.The main reason I had attend the event was for the presentation from the lead writer, Professor JohnO’Toole, to find out why he was committed to overturning accepted curriculum practice. It was for this reason I washoping he and Linda Lorenza, would be able to sell me on the Draft Paper. As a young teacher, who hopefully hasmany years of teaching before me, I needed them to make me believe that this is a 21

century curriculum, it will bebeneficial to my students and yes, I will enjoy teaching the content and structure of what has been proposed.Unfortunately they did nothing of the sort. Professor O’Toole seemed to lose his thread and presented with no clearunderstanding of the contemporary school environment. There was collective jaws dropping when he made theremark,

“Creative teachers are more intuitive when it comes to teaching the arts and will therefore have a better ability to teach across their disciplines.”

I felt insulted to think that anyone who deems themselvescreative could then walk into a classroom and teach what I teach. What of professionalism and subject knowledge?This notion of intuitive teaching will foster no understanding of practice or discipline in any of the artforms. Everydiscipline will lose out here!Jay McPherson noted that the NSW Board of Studies will be seeking extensive feedback on the draft

Arts Shape Paper

. The BOS will be consulting with primary teachers during term 4 and in term 1 2011 they will beconducting face to face meetings with secondary teachers in the Arts. The BOS also has an online survey that canbe completed.

Please ensure you have your say:

http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/surveys/arts-draft-shape.html

Personally, I felt the event was summed up by Matthew Clausen, who chaired the question and answersection, He said: ‘Can I have any other questions from

someone other

than a Visual Arts Teacher?’

A question thatleft me feeling convinced the ‘inclusive nature and connectivity of the arts’ may be something unattainable,even for those pushing for it.

Page 2

Seymour Centre Arts Launch