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Updated Teacher Accreditation Requirements (Ref: 282/23)
NESA is implementing reforms to teacher accreditation requirements in NSW. The teacher accreditation reforms are being implemented in stages, and will streamline processes and make it clearer what teachers need to do at each stage of accreditation.
These reforms include the introduction of the NSW Public Register of Teachers and the NSW Teacher Accreditation Manual (TA Manual) which replaces all previous teacher accreditation policies.
NESA released a video to explain the reform changes. The video explains why the reforms are being introduced and how they will impact teachers, principals, schools and services.
For more information, visit NESA’s website.
NESA Suitability to Teach Assessments (Ref: 281/23)
Further strengthening of child safety measures
In response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and amendments to the Teacher Accreditation Act, NESA is strengthening its existing child safety measures in relation to teacher accreditation.
NESA will now review criminal and disciplinary history for all initial accreditation applicants and re-accreditation applicants. This requires updates to NESA application forms so that NESA can collect information required by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to confirm the identity of applicants. Applicants will need to consent to a national criminal history check when they apply for accreditation.
The criminal history checks will only apply to new and returning teachers and will take effect from 10 November 2023. These checks do not apply to teachers who are already accredited in NSW. NESA will assess the suitability of accredited teacher as and when required. New and returning teachers will still need to hold a current NSW Working with Children Check to teach in NSW.
NESA Principles of Suitability
NESA has also worked with key stakeholders to develop Principles of Suitability, which complement the Teacher Accreditation Manual. The NESA Principles of Suitability set standards of professional conduct for the education community and are to be read alongside an employer’s code of conduct.
Notifications to NESA
NESA relies on information from employers to make suitability decisions about teachers who are already accredited. The NSW Government updated section 42B of the Teacher Accreditation Act (see also section 11.4 of the Teacher Accreditation Manual) requiring employers to notify NESA of a relevant decision or relevant information that may impact a teacher’s accreditation. Employers should send notifications and relevant information to [email protected]
Symposium: Building Leadership in Aboriginal Education across Catholic Schools in NSW/ACT (Ref: 242/23)
Senior system and school leaders are encouraged to register for a symposium designed to support educators in leading initiatives to deepen an understanding of and respect for the histories, cultures and languages of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Participants can expect to learn ways in which they can facilitate greater learning outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and can expect to leave with an increased awareness of ways in which they can create culturally safe learning environments for their students.
The symposium will be held from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm on 2 November at the Raddison Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney.
Find out more and register here. (You will need to log in to GO1 to access).
Updated Food Standards Code (Standard 3.2.2A) (Ref: 287/23)
Recent changes to the Food Standards Code have introduced new food safety requirements for cafes, restaurants and retail outlets.
From Friday 8 December 2023, food service, caterer and related retail businesses in Australia that process unpackaged, potentially hazardous food, and serve it ready-to-eat are required to:
- have a qualified onsite Food Safety Supervisor, who is reasonably available to supervise food handlers (this is already a requirement for some of these of businesses),
- ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene, or can demonstrate adequate skills and knowledge, and
- be able to show their food is safe.
Businesses that only slice, weigh, repack, reheat or hot-hold potentially hazardous food they have not made themselves are required to:
- have a qualified onsite Food Safety Supervisor, who is reasonably available to supervise food handlers, and
- ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene, or can demonstrate adequate skills and knowledge.
See Standard 3.2.2A – Frequently asked questions for more information.
National Office for Child Safety – child sexual abuse resources (Ref: 285/23)
On 22 October, the National Office for Child Safety launched ‘One Talk at a Time’, a national awareness raising and behavioural change campaign on child sexual abuse.
One Talk at a Time aims to protect children and young people from sexual abuse by helping adults understand that child sexual abuse is preventable and encouraging them to have ongoing, proactive, preventative conversations with children, young people and other adults in their lives.
This campaign is a key measure under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030 and fulfils a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Australian Business Economists Schools Event (Ref: 284/23)
Students in year 10 are encouraged to attend what promises to be an informative event revolving around careers in economics.
Australian Business Economists aims to develop a better public understanding of economic issues and is running this event to educate students and encourage them to consider a career in economics.
The event is framed around the question “Would you like the tools to change the world?” and students will have opportunities to hear from four economists working in the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Westpac, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and Barrenjoey. You can read about the event in detail here: ABE Schools SYD
Date: Thursday 9 November
Time: 10:30 am – 1:00 pm (in person); 10:30 am – 12:00 pm (online)
In person: Eastern Avenue Auditorium, The University of Sydney, Darlington
Online: via webinar
Register for the in person event here: ABE Schools Event – The tools to change the world @ Sydney University Registration
Register for the webinar here: ABE Schools Event – The tools to change the world @ BY WEBINAR SYD Registration
2024 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations: Expressions of Interest for a Committee Member (Ref: 286/23)
The CSSA provides teachers and students in schools throughout New South Wales, ACT and internationally with premium Trial HSC Examinations that will provide a sound basis for their preparation for the HSC examinations later in the year. The CSSA Trial HSC Examinations are prepared by committees of practising teachers, university lecturers and education consultants in a variety of HSC courses.
The Head of CSSA Exams is seeking expressions of interest for the following positions.
A Committee Member for the following 2024 CSSA Trial HSC Examination:
- Engineering Studies
The letter regarding the Expression of Interest requirements for the Committee Member roles with the CSSA and the application process is found here.
Interested applicants are asked to send a Cover Letter and current Curriculum Vitae to Monica O’Brien, Head CSSA Exams, at [email protected] by 9am Friday 10 November 2023.
Now Open: Have your Say – English, History and Mathematics 11-12 draft syllabuses (Ref: 280/23)
Teachers and other stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the English, History, and Mathematics syllabuses through the NESA Consultations webpage. The surveys close on Tuesday 19 December.
All feedback from the ‘Have your say’ period will be used to inform the development of the final syllabuses. The final syllabuses will be released on the NSW Curriculum website.
Teachers and stakeholders can find up-to-date information on Curriculum Reform at the Curriculum Reform webpage.
Registrations OPEN: 2024 Best Start Kindergarten Assessment (Ref: 279/23)
The Best Start Kindergarten Assessment (BSKA) is a free optional online diagnostic assessment available to Catholic Schools NSW with a Kindergarten student cohort. Schools complete the assessment in the first 5 weeks of term 1.
More information is available in the Best Start Kindergarten Information for Schools Fact Sheet: BSKA Information For CSNSW Schools Factsheet
Opt-in
If your school wishes to participate in the 2024 Best Start Kindergarten Assessment, please register by Wednesday 1 November 2023, using the following nomination link.
Please note that those schools directed by their Diocesan office to participate in the 2024 BSKA DO NOT need to register.
Ordering new Best Start Kindergarten resources.
The BSKA folder contains the assessment questions and resources required to administer the assessment. As the assessment changed in 2023, schools who have not participated previously or who will have additional Kindergarten classes, will need to order a new folder for each Kindergarten teacher. The cost of each new kit is $75.00.
Schools order their folders are part of the opt-in process.
2024 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (Ref: 278/23)
Applications for the 2024 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship are now open. Eligible History teachers are encouraged to apply for an opportunity to learn about Australia’s military history while travelling for two weeks with 20 students from across NSW.
The tour will take place in Term 3 school holidays in 2024 and interested teachers can apply through this link: Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS) · Office for Veterans Affairs
More details including details about the location of the tour will be released in the coming weeks.