We have reached the end of the academic year, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the school education community for their support. NSW benefits from the energy, intellect and commitment of professionals like you in helping our students reach their potential and making our schools places that encourage a lifelong love of learning.

Education is a collaborative effort, and the work BOSTES has achieved this year working with our sector partners, individual schools, teacher associations, classroom teachers and parent groups shows the strength of that effort.

The year began with the release of a series of reports into teacher education, followed by major policy measures to improve the quality of teaching.

It was pleasing to see the Commonwealth reviews into the Australian Curriculum and initial teacher education endorse the approaches and views of the NSW education community.

In 2015, BOSTES has continued to drive reform. It is now two years since the establishment of the BOSTES brought together school and teacher education, including K-12 curriculum, assessment, school registration, teacher accreditation and professional development into a single body. We are making the most of the opportunity to shape evidence-based policy to inform teaching and learning in NSW schools.

Implementation of the Great Teaching, Inspired Learning measures, designed to improve the already high standard of teaching and raise the professional status of teachers in NSW, continued in 2015. This included the roll out of Literacy and Numeracy tests for student teachers, strengthened practical placement arrangements for initial teacher education students, as well as the introduction of minimum academic standards for undergraduate teaching degrees.

The accreditation process safeguards the professional status of teachers, recognises experience and expertise, and fosters continual professional development. BOSTES has worked hard over the year to ensure PD is accessible, relevant and meets the highest standards.

In 2015, we entered the second phase of the three-year implementation of the new K-10 English, Mathematics, Science and History syllabuses. The new K-10 Geography syllabus, to be taught in 2016, was released and there was wide consultation on the draft writing briefs for the Senior Years English, Mathematics, Science and History syllabuses.

Later this week, 77,000 HSC students will receive their results. The HSC is a demanding course and the culmination of 13 years of schooling for most students. I’d like to acknowledge the hard work, expertise and enthusiasm of their teachers along the way. The success of our students owes much to your dedication.

I wish you all the best for the upcoming holidays and look forward to welcoming you back with the first edition of the BOSTES Bulletin on January 27 next year.