Welcome to the first Board Bulletin for 2012. The Board Bulletin is primarily designed to assist teachers, principals and other school staff to keep up-to-date with the latest news from the Board of Studies NSW.

This is a busy and exciting time for the education sector in Australia. Perhaps more than ever the community’s attention is focussed on issues related to quality learning.

In NSW and nationally, the Board is an important contributor to policy that seeks to achieve improvements in schooling and related educational services. This year the Board will again continue to work across all the NSW school sectors to ensure quality curriculum, and to support quality learning opportunities for all.

It is important also that we remain aware of the relationship between the curriculum and community interests and that we all strive to meet the expectations and ambitions of teachers, students and the broader community.

As we start the new school year, there are a number of operational issues that I would like to draw your attention to:

• A second round of consultations on the K-10 draft syllabuses for English, Mathematics, History and Science will commence in February. These draft NSW syllabuses incorporate Australian curriculum content. Updates on the consultation process will be included in future editions of the Board Bulletin. I would take this opportunity to remind schools that Australian curriculum content is not required to be taught in schools until 2014 and the existing syllabuses should continue to be taught.

• The Board is working hard on developing a new credential for those students who complete Year 10, but leave school before receiving their HSC. We have provided a short powerpoint presentation to help clarify arrangements for students entering Year 10 in 2012. More details will be provided throughout the year, and the key messages for now are to enter students as per normal, and continue to provide school-based assessments.

• Along with our weekly Board Bulletins, I encourage principals and teachers to stay in touch via the Board’s website and subscribe to the Board Bulletin.

I look forward to working with you this year and trust that you will make use of the resources and advice available from the Board of Studies NSW.

Tom Alegounarias

President