The Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter is sent every month. To subscribe/unsubscribe to the newsletter, please login and update your subscription preferences under the "Update my Details" tab in the member dashboard.
The PDFs below are a printable archive of Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletters. The originals were designed to be read in webmail format.
AISWA Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter - September 2024
AISWA Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter - August 2024
AISWA Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter - July 2024
AISWA Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter - June 2024
AISWA Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter - May 2024
AISWA Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter - April 2024
- Early Childhood
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Meet the AISWA Early Childhood Team...
Targeted Projects 2025
Targeted projects are small group projects that are led by experts in the field and supported with teacher relief and at no cost. Participation in these projects is by Expression of Interest. Forms and details have been sent to Early Years Coordinators and Principals.
We have a variety of exciting projects on offer for 2025.
Professional Learning 2025
In addition to our Targeted Projects we will have a wide array of professional leaning opportunities including National Quality Standards, Oral Language, Literacy Bites and Education Assistants.
AISWA Survery - Additional Early Childhood Provision in Independent Schools
All Early Childhood Leaders are asked to complete this survey.
This survey aims to establish the additional early childhood services that are provided at your school such as Long Day Care, Playgroups and creche. The data collected will assist AISWA Early Childhood in supporting Long Day Care (LDC) Services and playgroups within Independent Schools across Western Australia.
National Quality Standards in Action Publication
This new resource is a collaboration between DoE, CEWA and AISWA and showcases numerous schools across WA. Each story shares how an element of the NQS is met within the context of their school. All Independent Schools will receive two copies of this resource via mail. Addition copies will be available on request. Congratulations and thankyou to the Early Childhood educators and leaders who contributed to this resource.
Upcoming Professional Learning
Mathematical Learning in the Revised Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines and EYLF v2.0 17 October 8.30-15.30
Presented by Rebecca Duncan, AISWA Early Childhood consultant, this professional learning workshop for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten educators will unpack both the EYLF v2.0 and revised Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines, as we explore a variety of engaging contexts and practical experiences that intentionally grow children’s mathematical learning and thinking.
Leading with the NQS 21 October 9.00-15.30
Participants will be provided with a copy of the cross-sectoral publication, 'The National Quality Standard in Action – Western Australian Schools', which is scheduled for publication in early 2024. Together, we will explore how the case studies and support materials contained within this resource can support critical reflection on practice and enhance the development of your school’s QIP.
Afternoon tea with Australia's Children's Laureate - Sally Rippin 22 October 15:45-17:00
Sally Rippin is the Australian Children's Laureate for 2024 and 2025. Sally's mission is "All kids can be readers!'. Her immensely popular books are adored worldwide, with sales exceeding ten million copies in eighteen countries. Sally will provide an interactive workshop targeted at AISWA member schools and staff.
Teachers - Playing like a child (photo credit Christ Church Grammar School)
"If we allow our ‘high creativity’ to remain alive, we will never be bored “(Madeleine L'Engle)
Often, we talk about engaging children in purposeful learning experiences through hands-on, play-based opportunities that are fun in nature. However, it is easy to forget to keep learning fun for adults too. The great neuroscientist Dr Wendy Suzuki tells us that the brain loves to learn through novelty, repetition, emotional resonance and positive associations. These are exactly the four practices that early childhood teachers apply in their work with children every single day. However, even adults love to engage in experiences that involve these four practices too.
If you would like to have some on-site, fun learning sessions about some aspect of practice in the early years of school, contact Lynne McCarney.
Previous Newsletters
Early Childhood April Newsletter
Early Childhood May Newsletter
Early Childhood June Newsletter
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- Languages
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Social media Languages news updates
The AISWA Languages X feed provides constantly updated news for Languages teachers. It can be found here, along with Languages information links and a link to the AISWA Languages blog.
Other news
Over 40 language educators from all sectors gathered at AISWA in May to hear from seasoned Auslan educator Dr Karen Bontempo and Patti Levitzke-Gray presenting on principles of differentiation and inclusive education. Marisa Schiavi (CEWA) and Clare Slyth (AISWA) followed up with sessions on using AI to create IEPs and differentiated language resources. With experienced interpreters available the content was accessible to both hearing and deaf educators and it was a wonderful day of networking and shared learning.
- Leadership and Learning
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Your Leadership Consultant is...
Meika Pfeiffer-Gough (Manager)
Term 3 Highlights
Graduating class of Early Career Teachers (ECTs) from the 2023-24 cohort
Recently, we welcomed the graduating class of Early Career Teachers (ECTs) from our 2023-24 cohort.
This final workshop included a panel discussion with previous Graduates from the AISWA ECTs Induction Program who shared their experiences in their first years in the teaching profession. We sincerely thank our panellists Lachlan Hall, Gabrielle Ietto, Claire Bishop and Kara Antonio for your insights and valuable contribution to the program.
We congratulate and celebrate all the graduating participants of the ECTs program and wish them every success in their teaching careers.
Thank you Dr. Nancy Pavisich for your expertise and enthusiasm in presenting this program, and we look forward to welcoming more ECTs for their final workshops later in the year.Featured Professional Learning
Women in Educational Leadership
Our network fosters a supportive environment for women educators to exchange insights, cultivate leadership skills, and break barriers in the leadership landscape. Through collaborative efforts and shared experiences, we aim to inspire, amplify diverse voices, and advance gender equity. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator or researcher, join us as we make meaningful connections and celebrate the achievements of women to pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all. Click here for more information and registration.
- Literacy
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Your Consultants are...
Look out for the following Literacy PL events in Terms 3 and 4 and register through the AISWA website.
English HoLAs Network Day – held in conjunction with CEWA this is a networking and PL opportunity for English Faculty/Department leaders.
30 September - Handwriting: Why and How. to Teach It -This holiday workshop will share with participants, some key research on the benefits of handwriting and how it supports literacy learning.22 October - Brightpath: Next Steps – Focuses on using quality children’s literature to nurture and develop students' writing skills. This day is followed by a presentation by the 2024 Children’s Laureate, Sally Rippin.
23 October - Sharp Reading: Guided Reading for Comprehension- provides participants with: an explicit, transferable routine for comprehension instruction, that empowers students.
24 October - Sharp Reading: Developing Decoding Fluency - provides a routine that allows the reader to practise the transference of the knowledge of letters, letter sounds, and spelling patterns when reading authentic text.
1 November - Secondary English Planning Day - held in conjunction with CEWA. A chance for HoLA’s and teachers to collaborate in the construction of Course and Assessment Outlines for 2025.
- Numeracy
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Your Consultant is...
- David Dunstan (Numeracy Coordinator)
Planning for 2025? Free In-School Workshop for 2024
A Whole School Approach for Teaching Place Value
This suite of materials was co-developed by AISWA Numeracy Coordinator, David Dunstan, and Dr Paul Swan, and published in February 2023.
The ‘Teaching Place Value’ materials includes a Facilitator’s Guide, ‘Teaching Place Value’ year books, video instruction for activities, year by year ‘Menu Planners’, resources, and assessments.
75 Minute In – School Workshop Introduction
David has conducted this workshop, which targets Years 1 to 6, across metropolitan and regional WA. Each school receives a Teaching Place Value Materials Kit, that includes counters, dice, transparent spinners, and a USB that houses the 14 videos.
Contact David Dunstan at ddunstan@ais.wa.edu.au or on 0457 767 881 to make a booking.
New Online Resources - ‘reSolve’ for Mathematics and ‘Primary Connections’ for Science
AISWA was visited by staff from the Australian Academy of Science Education Early this term to showcase the new maths ‘reSolve’ and ‘Primary Connections’ science websites that were launched in June 2024. These are free resources. Go to https://resolve.edu.au/ to explore brand new all-online teaching sequences for the Australian Curriculum, plus embedded support for understanding key ideas and pedagogical practices.Timeline of the Review of the Western Australian Curriculum: Mathematics
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is in the process of adopting and adapting the Australian Curriculum v9 within the P – 10 Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline (the Outline). The Authority plans to have the revised Western Australian Mathematics curriculum for Pre-primary to Year 10 available for familiarisation in 2025, and implementation in 2026.
The Authority has published the following timeline:-
2024 Review and Consultation
2025 Familiarisation and Professional Development
2026 ImplementationWestern Australian Mathematics Curriculum – Public Consultation 26th August – 20th September
To assist teachers and stakeholders to review the proposed curriculum, consultation workshops will be held for the proposed Mathematics Curriculum Pre-Primary to Year 6 and Year 7 to Year 10 in the metropolitan and regional areas. The workshops will familiarise stakeholders with the proposed curriculum content for Pre-Primary to Year 6 Mathematics and Years 7 to Year 10 Mathematics and provide participants with an understanding of changes to the learning area content. This will assist attendees in completing the Authority's online consultation survey.
Please note that the metropolitan face-to-face workshops are for school or mathematics leaders or their designated representative. Schools are encouraged to send a representative to one of these workshops.
Registration to the upcoming workshops can be completed through the Authority’s website:
Pre-Primary to Year 6: https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/consultation-workshops-year-p-to-year-6-mathematics-curriculum
Year 7 to Year 10: https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/consultation-workshops-year-7-to-year-10-mathematics-curriculum
- Targeted Programs
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Your Consultants are...
- Peter Farmer (NAPLAN). For the latest NAPLAN information and updates please click here.
- Wade McLeod (VET)
Recent News and Upcoming Events
Term 3 VET Coordinators Network Meeting - 13 SeptemberSouth Metro TAFE- Thornlie Campus - has offered to host our term 3 meeting which will include a unique student experience for the attendees on the day in the following areas:
- Drones
- Automation
- Virtual Reality
- CarpentryThe meeting will also include presentations from:
- SCSA
- Industry Training Councils
- Presentations from TAFE Lecturers
- Career Taster ProgramLimited places available. Register here before 6 September 2024.
AISWA provides ongoing support to VET Coordinators, Careers Educators & Workplace Learning Supervisors. Our consultant - Wade McLeod - is keen to get out to your school to meet any new staff that have commenced a new role in 2024, or anyone that needs further support and mentoring in this space. As well as ongoing support to your staff, AISWA continues to provide some funding grants for:
- VET Student costs – applications open term 2, and
- Year 9 Career Taster Program – Expressions of Interest welcome any time
Please contact Wade for more information on how to apply for funding, as well as to arrange a time for a school visit.
AISWA holds VET & Careers Network meetings each term, where we invite presenters from Industry, Training Providers, SCSA, Department of Training and Workforce Development and many more. We aim to provide schools with as many industry and training links as possible, in order to provide your students with a multitude of pathways.
Upcoming meeting dates for 2024
- Term 3 – Friday, 13 September
- Term 4 - Friday, 29 November