On behalf of the Board of Studies I wish to thank the Bulletin’s readers for your contributions over the year.

The Bulletin is an important way for the Board to engage with schools and the broader education community. We appreciate your feedback when we are consulting on draft syllabuses or policy, your participation in our advisory committees, your work on the HSC exams and NAPLAN tests, and simply letting us know what you think.

We value and are thankful for the contribution you make.

I also wish to acknowledge the hundreds of thousands of school students who make our classrooms great learning environments, and particularly the 70,000 or so who every year leave school with an HSC or RoSA for further study or work. The joy of teaching is in the success of our students.

My thanks also goes to Board’s Chief Executive, Carol Taylor, Board officers, teachers and staff at schools across NSW, and parent groups - all of whom have made a contribution to our work in 2013.

I look forward to working with all our friends and partners in 2014 and for your ongoing support next year when the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards formally starts it work following the merger of the Board of Studies NSW and NSW Institute of Teachers. From 1 January please visit www.bostes.nsw.edu.au for more information

I wish you all a happy and safe festive period.

Tom Alegounarias

President