Module 1 - Australian Curriculum
An introduction and briefing session for NSW DET primary schools
Target audience: whole staff
Purpose: for use as a Staff Development Day activity in Term 2 for all schools as an
introduction, discussion tool
Preparation:
Suggested materials: one copy of the draft Australian Curriculum documents per group (staff
may work in year/stage teams or subject groups)
Icons
Present information to the whole
group
Links to the internet
Watch a video
Focus questions to form the basis
of a discussion
An activity for small groups
Duration of the activity
_________________________________________________________________________
Step 1
5 min
Begin by asking teachers to share the available facts about the Australian
Curriculum and check these against the information during the presentation.
Teachers might also like to list what they would like to know. (A KWL Chart would
be useful for this purpose. 3 Columns - What we Know, what we Would like to
know and what we have Learned)
Seek feedback for an overall view of your school’s background knowledge.
Step 2
10 min
Context/background of the Australian Curriculum
Show the first part of the video, An introduction to the Australian Curriculum at
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Home
Click the
button on the bottom-right of the video to get a full screen.
Stop the video at 4.07 before it goes onto the subject-specific information.
© NSW Department of Education and Training 2010
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As you watch the video, think about how the introduction of the Australian
Curriculum might affect:

teachers

students

school leaders.
The following fact sheets from the ACARA website might facilitate your discussion.
Why have an Australian Curriculum?
Australian Curriculum: an overview
What makes the Australian Curriculum a world-class curriculum?
Optional: The consultation phase
Listen to Rob Randall, General Manager of Curriculum, ACARA as he describes
the consultation process and gives a snapshot of the new curriculum.
Watch the video from 10.00 through to 12.00.
Step 3
20 min
Use the presentation, An overview of the Australian Curriculum (PowerPoint, 1.7
MB) to brief the staff on aspects of the Australian Curriculum:

the development of the Australian Curriculum

a summary of the curriculum development process managed by ACARA

the structure of the Australian Curriculum

the nature of the Australian Curriculum

factors that influence its implementation.
To support your presentation there are speaking notes (Word, 750 kB).
Ask teachers to think about:

What each learning area have in common?

What cross-curricular dimensions and general capabilities are important for
the students at our school?
Also read the following fact sheets from the ACARA website:
What does the draft K-10 Australian Curriculum look like?
What are the Australian Curriculum development timelines?
© NSW Department of Education and Training 2010
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There is also a recording from a video conference that describes the curriculum
structure (flv, 16.3 MB).
_________________________________________________________________________
The following modules are designed to be led by the deputy/assistant principal or their
nominee. In groups:
Schools could choose a model:

Model A - Stage/year groups work through all four modules, one learning area at a
time.

Model B – four ‘expert’ learning area groups with representatives from each Stage,
work through their subject and then report back to their Stage teams.
Module 2: A focus on English K-6
60 min
For this module refer to Australian Curriculum English K-6 presentation (.ppt, 2.8 MB),
speaker notes (.doc, 1 MB) and activities (.doc, 323 kB)
Module 3: A focus on Mathematics K-6
60 min
For this module refer to Australian Curriculum Mathematics K-6 presentation (.ppt, 3.4 MB),
speaker notes (.doc, 899 kB) and activities (.doc, 329 kB)
Module 4: A focus on History K-6
60 min
For this module refer to Australian Curriculum History K-6 presentation (.ppt, 271 kB),
speaker notes (.doc, 517 kB) and activities (.doc, 227 kB)
Module 5: A focus on Science K-6
60 min
For this module refer to Australian Curriculum Science K-6 presentation (.ppt, 258 kB),
speaker notes (.doc, 369 kB) and activities (.doc, 324 kB)
Module 6: Conclusion
60 min
In small groups, discuss:

What will be the impact of the Australian Curriculum?

What are your thoughts and feelings?
General feedback across the learning areas.

Revisiting the equity focus questions.

Any commonalities across the learning areas?
© NSW Department of Education and Training 2010
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Considerations for your school:

Are there any key issues around the draft documents?

Are there any positive aspects of these draft documents that offer
opportunities for your school?

What might work best for your school when implementing four learning
areas?
Providing feedback:

ACARA website

DET online forum

BOS survey
© NSW Department of Education and Training 2010
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