A bundle of letters from a ‘pen pal’ – my best friend at primary school. A collection of Christmas cards from students I taught 30 years ago. Birthday cards from loved ones, some now deceased. They have no material value,…
Category: Curriculum
Self-Inflicted Digital Incarceration: Be Careful What You Hope For
There are two things that should be beyond question. First, that Australia’s common language is English. Second, the inherent value of our English language is that it gives us the ability and freedom to communicate with depth and full understanding.…
Who’s Hijacking the English Language?
Since the establishment of various Education Acts during the late 1800s, Australia’s colonial school curriculum relied on books – referred to as readers – and monthly school newspapers, to establish and supplement skills in reading and writing. The focus was…
What is this space we call place?
Schools deliver what is known as the intended curriculum. This includes broad, written statements that reflect what students should know, understand, and be able to do, by the end of each school year. It sets a framework of expectations or…
Essential Fundamentals
This year, the nationally agreed education agenda for Australia – the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (2008-2018) – is in its final year. The agreement, between all States and Territories, was made to ensure Australian schools provide the best…