Maree, Nigel, Brian and Carolyn.     16th June 2016.



We reviewed the curriculum requirements for Year 10 using the Victorian Curriculum content descriptions. Consideration was given to the new content that becomes part of the curriculum. Existing practical activities, worksheets and assessment task were noted - see Google sheet below

https://goo.gl/QYqL1b

These content descriptions will be amalgamated into the new Galen F-10 Victorian Curriculum Template and include the 'AC' codes.

We had received a reply in regard to our question last meeting, about covering all F-10 Vic Curriculum. 
We received an reply from John Eason -  It is still a grey area, and there is no definitive answer

"According to current guidelines schools can use their judgement as to whether they emphasise or reduce certain areas - e.g. specialist art  schools, science schools already do this. We do not have official CECV guidelines on this, however most schools generally follow the curriculum between years 7-9 and then have electives at year 10 as students start to specialise. As such students who do VCE subjects in year 10 are unable to follow all of the curriculum areas - I always use that as my example if the question comes up at year 10.....   

The other option to think about is whether reducing or not exposing the students to the domain will narrow their pathways as they haven't got the necessary prereqs to do a senior subject. If you refer to a school like Templestowe college, where there are no year levels, the whole idea of 'covering all aspects of the curriculum' may or may not be done depending on the student.

While this doesn't give you a definitive answer - sticking to the spirit of the curriculum framework - students getting a range of experiences in early years 5. Whatever the mode of delivery, schools should be able to demonstrate how the teaching and learning program includes the content of the learning area. 

36. This means that when an elective structure is in place, schools should be able to demonstrate how the school timetable ensures every student is able to access the full range of the curriculum and not completely ‘self-select’ out of particular learning areas.

This won't completely answer your question but I will keep following up when we will get the specific guidelines given,

have a great long weekend,

kind regards,

John" 

 In writing our documents we have to remember we are preparing our students for success, both academically but also in offering a wide variety of subject choices and experiences.  Which will hopefully set them up for success in their senior studies. 

Meeting was declared the last one for the term, and we look forward to next term to continue our development of science units in the Junior area.