AISWA Professional Learning and other educational events, news, and information
AISWA Weekly Briefing
The AISWA Weekly Briefing is a summary of the State and National education headlines for the week, both print and online media. It often contains links to interesting articles and up-to-date research. The Weekly Briefing is available via the AISWA website each Friday of the school term by logging in and following this link Here You can also subscribe to the Weekly Briefing updates and other news, by updating your subscription preferences via the Update my Details page.
ST4S Information – access to ‘Safer Tech for Schools’ software evaluation
The Safer Technologies for Schools (ST4S) initiative (www.st4s.edu.au) is a standardised approach to evaluating digital products and services used by schools across Australia for security, privacy, interoperability and online safety of software applications and services commonly used. Current there are about 300 product assessments in the repository – many would be familiar to you.
About 40 Independent Schools have already contacted AISWA to be included and have already been given access. AISWA offers a second deadline of 31 November 2022 for inclusions for access in 2023. Please contact Jan if you would like to be included in that or to check whether your schools is already included. NSIP are holding extra ST4S information sessions. Please attend if you need more information – or see here (AISWA website).
- 17 November 6.30-7.30AM (AWST) session for early risers! Click here to join the meeting
- 23 November 1-2 PM (AWST) session Click here to join the meeting
Professional Learning Offerings 2023 - Leadership & Teacher Quality
The Leadership and Teacher Quality team invite all employees and members of AISWA to view the PL offerings for 2023. Should you have any questions, please contact Meika Pfeiffer-Gough or Dr Nancy Bonfiglio-Pavisich. Please see the flyer below.
Please click here to access the booklet.
School Improvement for Leadership Teams | Expression of Interest
AISWA are currently seeking an Expression of Interest from schools to participate in our 2023 School Improvement for Leadership Teams program. We have partnered with Professor Dorothy Andrews and Associate Professor Joan Conway from the University of Southern Queensland to deliver a research-based revitalisation program to engage schools in a journey of self-discovery, building capacity for sustainable pedagogical excellence. For more information please click Here
Blended learning: the possibilities and the challenges – Monday 21 November (2:00 – 4:00pm)
COVID-related lockdowns have accelerated some significant shifts in curriculum delivery and student learning, with virtual and blended models being rolled out in some schools. What have we learnt from this experience? Join this interactive workshop to explore the findings of some focus group research outlining the pros and cons of virtual and blended models, and the impact of virtual environments on student identity. Find more information, please click on the event Flyer Here
Research Project: Digital Connections: Communication across home and non-compulsory early education settings
Home-education communication is foundational for children's positive educational experiences in the early years. Communication approaches have changed since the days of taking notes home from school. This study is interested in the many ways that parents, caregivers, and educators share information. We will explore how parents, caregivers and educators work together to connect and promote children's positive educational experiences. A key focus of the study is to understand how relationships are built through digital and non-digital modes of communication. The aim of the project is to discover how communication happens, who communicates, the frequency of communication, when and where different communication modes are utilised, and the reasons for communication. Parents, caregivers, centre directors, teachers, educators, and other staff of non-compulsory early education settings are invited to complete a survey about digital communication practices. To participate, please see the Flyer
Selection of the 2024-2025 Australian Children’s Laureate
As our current Laureate reaches her halfway mark, the ACLF Board is embarking on the selection process for the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2024 and 2025, and we would love to hear from you!
Remember, the Laureate program is for all Australians, so tell us who you would like the ACLF to consider for selection as your next Australian Children’s Laureate. You can also let us know what focus area you would like us to consider. Share your feedback Here.
Mathematics Curriculum Update (Pre-primary to Year 10)
All schools are reminded that in Western Australia the mandated curriculum for Pre-primary to Year 10 is the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline: Please click Here for K -10 Outline
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The mandated WA Mathematics curriculum is found in the Outline and has not been changed for 2023. The Western Australian curriculum for Mathematics is version 8.1 of the Australian Curriculum as indicated on the Authority website. This must continue to be taught in 2023 and will remain in place until further notice.
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Any changes to the Western Australian curriculum will be made to meet the needs of WA students and in consultation with our teachers.
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The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) has clarified this on several occasions to all schools and reinforces that WA is not adopting version 9 of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics.
Schools should be aware that:
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WA teachers do not need to become familiar with or ‘map’ the current WA curriculum against version 9 of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics.
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Changes will only be made to the current Western Australian Mathematics Curriculum (v.8.1) in accordance with a process of adopting and adapting undertaken through state consultation and to suit the WA context.
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In Pre-primary- Year10 – there are no curriculum changes in WA for teaching Mathematics in 2023.
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There are a variety of promotional materials for textbooks, professional learning and other resources currently targeting schools, claiming to be for use in Western Australian schools and using version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. Some include statements such as ‘this will support your school getting a head start on version 9 of the Australian curriculum.
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Schools are advised to use great caution when considering purchasing and using any of these materials.
For more information, please see click Here letter sent to all principals from Allan Blagaich, Executive Director, School Curriculum and Standards on the 25 October, 2022
Einstein-First Workshops in November and December
This Sway is to support the professional learning of Year 3 primary school teachers of science who wish to teach the Year 3 Einstein-First chemistry module Atom Frenzy. It is hoped teachers will use this resource during their initial professional learning, and subsequently ‘dip into it’ as they teach the eight lessons and administer the pre-attitude survey, pre- test and post-test. It serves as a digital one-stop-shop for teachers to readily access as they plan for and teach the module. Please see the upcoming workshops below,
Einstein - First Primary Atom Frenzy Willetton Workshop | For registrations and more information please click Here
Einstein - First Primary Atom Frenzy Perth North Workshop | For registrations and more information please click Here
Year 4 May the Forces be with You Workshop Perth North | For registrations and more information please click Here
Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre - 2023 Programs
Situated on the edge of the largest lake on the coastal plain, Herdsman Lake is a world-class wetland in the heart of Perth. The Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre (operated by WA Gould League) offers a range of school excursions, incursions, virtual excursions and new learning resources based on local natural environments. Please see website for more information and bookings: Here