November 2019

Using Indigenous contexts to teach science  

Science teachers can now access a complete suite of resources from Foundation to Year 10 to support them in integrating the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority into the science component of the Australian Curriculum. Today, ACARA has published teacher background information for Foundation – Year 6 to complete the resources available. 

Read ACARA's media release (PDF 183 kb).

Pictured below (left–right):
Lawson Brown, ACARA’s Intern through CareerTrackers; Joe Sambono, ACARA Curriculum Specialist; the Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians; Dr Kaye Price, member of ACARA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group

CEO's vlog: Fanning the flames of wonder

Watch episode 3, part 2 of ACARA CEO David de Carvalho's video in his 'Fanning the flames of wonder' series, where he answers the following questions: Why does NAPLAN focus on literacy and numeracy and why are these skills are so important? Can NAPLAN be improved and how? 

My School updated with 2019 Semester 1 (Term 1 and 2) student attendance data

The My School website has been updated with school student attendance rates for Semester 1 (Term 1 and 2) of 2019. 

Attendance data are reported as all students, Indigenous students and non-Indigenous students. Data are suppressed where student numbers are less than, or equal to, five students. On 11 December 2019, a further update will be undertaken to report the student attendance rate for Term 3. 

Attendance data reporting is a COAG (Council of Australian Governments) initiative to help improve learning outcomes for all students by monitoring attendance. Data are reported twice a year, for Semester 1 (Term 1 and 2), and then for and Term 3. 

Also updated on the My School website are 2018 data for senior secondary outcomes, and vocational education and training in schools.

Indigenous languages in the curriculum

In a recent address at the University of New England, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP, explored the role education plays in shaping Indigenous Australia, including how education can help continue to close the gap, empower communities and provide greater opportunities for future Australians.

Mr Wyatt outlined the role of teaching Indigenous languages in the curriculum: "For all students, learning Aboriginal languages and Torres Strait Islander languages provides a distinctive means of understanding the country in which they live, including the relationship between land, the environment and people.

"For Indigenous students, learning their own language is crucial to developing a sense of identity and fostering a sense of belonging. The ongoing and necessary reclamation and revitalisation of these languages also contribute to reconciliation."

Read the full address on the University of New England website.

Read a new edition of Parent Update