Statement by ACARA Board Chair on the resignation of ACARA CEO
26 September 2023 Following a successful 4-year tenure leading the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), Mr David de Carvalho has tendered his resignation as Chief Executive Officer to me in order to take up another opportunity in the education sector. The ACARA Board has accepted Mr de Carvalho’s resignation, with his last day of service being Friday 24 November 2023.
The Board wishes to acknowledge the contribution Mr de Carvalho has made to the work of ACARA and through that to Australia’s school education system. He has led the organisation most capably since March 2019, demonstrating throughout his intellectual leadership and personal integrity.
During his tenure ACARA has overseen and implemented several major national education reforms including the review and endorsement by education ministers of the Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0 and reforms to the National Assessment Program. These initiatives are fundamental to the objective of supporting the education of all young Australians to lead productive and rewarding lives. I speak on behalf of the entire ACARA Board, past and present, in thanking Mr de Carvalho for his contribution over the years and we wish him well in his future endeavours.
The Board will be appointing an Acting CEO to allow time for the search for Mr de Carvalho’s successor for this important role. An announcement on the Acting CEO will be made shortly.
Derek Scott
Chair
ACARA Board
New resource for teachers to support students with their mental health
18 September 2023 A new online resource for teachers to help students develop their understanding of the factors that influence their mental health and wellbeing and that of others has been developed by ACARA, working with experts from Beyond Blue, Headspace and the National Mental Health Commission.
The new ‘Curriculum Connection’ resource means teachers will now be better equipped to teach about mental health and wellbeing through the Australian Curriculum learning areas including Health and Physical Education, Digital Technologies, English, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) and the Arts.
“The past few years have been challenging for everyone and particularly for young people, with fires, floods and the pandemic,” said ACARA’s CEO David de Carvalho.
“In addition, the widespread of use of so-called 'smartphones' among young people has its downsides, contributing to cyber-bullying and social-media-induced anxiety about self-image, particularly among teenage girls.
“So, it’s important now more than ever before that we equip our teachers with the resources they need to teach mental health and wellbeing using the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum. It will mean our young people can develop the skills they need to look after themselves and each other.”
The resource was developed in response to an increase of mental health concerns. Last year, education ministers called for a review of the Australian Curriculum content on this issue, which led to ACARA hosting a Mental Health Forum in July 2022 with key stakeholders. At this conference, a number of recommendations were made, including the creation of this new Curriculum Connection resource.
In addition, updates have been made to the previously published Curriculum Connections for Online Safety and Respect Matters
Read ACARA’s media release, and access the new and updated resources at https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/curriculum-connections.
New group of courses released on ACARA’s Professional Learning Hub
13 September 2023 A new group of courses on Understanding the Learning Areas is now available in ACARA’s Professional Learning Hub – our online Australian Curriculum support resource for teachers and educators.
These courses are designed for teachers and educators who want to understand the aim and structure of the specific learning areas in the Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0.
Courses are available in each of the 8 learning areas to support teachers’ planning practices. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the rationale, aims and structure of a learning area, explore its distinctive key considerations and examine the key connections between that learning area and the other dimensions of the Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0.
Designed to be undertaken both individually or collaboratively, the course material is engaging and includes short video and audio explainers, infographics, quizzes and other interactive activities. There are also a series of reflection questions throughout the courses, providing an opportunity for participants to think about and expand on what they have learned.
Sign up and explore the new Understanding the learning area course library on ACARA’s Professional Learning Hub.