21 SEPTEMBER 2018
TERM 3 • 21 SEPETEMBER 2018 • VOLUME 308
From the Principal Mrs Nicola Taylor
Readers of The Australian Newspaper last weekend may have seen the article entitled “Shift to Radical Curriculum”. It spoke of a review of the Australian Curriculum, a possible change to the implementation of the Australian Curriculum to focus on a more explicit emphasis of ‘21st Century Skills’. However, if the article is anything to go by, it speaks more of the shifting sand of educational imperative which may be determined by factors and metrics far removed from the classroom. ACARA’s recently retired chairman Professor Stephen Schwartz came out in criticism of the review with the following comment. "The 21st Century skills movement is the latest in a long line of educational fads… In each case, the early enthusiasm gave way to disillusion. The problem is always the same: children who cannot learn to be critical thinkers until they have actually learned something to think about…” ACARA was an active participant in the OECD’s Education 2030 position paper which considered a list of constructs that could find their way into the curriculum. Constructs such as adaptability, compassion, equity, global mindset, gratitude, hope, integrity, motivation, justice, mindfulness, resilience, respect, purposefulness and trust.
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21 SEPTEMBER TO 19 OCTOBER 2018 IGSSA Semi Finals/Finals 22/9/18 Boarders Church Service - St Marks UNE 23/9/18 Boarders' Farewell to Year 12 Dinner 24/9/18 Year 5 Asia Movie Night 25/9/18 Years 10 and 11 Thailand Trip Preparation Meeting 26/9/18 Valedictory Day 27/9/18 Term Ends - Senior School 27/9/18 Staff Day - Senior School Only 28/9/18 Term Ends - Junior School 28/9/18 Fiji Service Learning Trip 28/9 - 9/10/18 Thailand Service Learning Trip 30/9 - 9/10/18 Labour Day Public Holiday 1/10/18 Silver/Gold Duke of Ed 5/10 - 8/10/18 2018 Inter-School Horse Extravaganza - ISHE 11/10 - 15/10/18 Boarders Return 14/10/18 Australia Unites - A Night for the Farmers Concert - TBC 14/10/18 School Resumes 15/10/18 HSC Exams begin 18/10/18 Years 6, 7 and 8 Social 19/10/18 Years 9, 10 and Pathways Social 19/10/18