Looking back over 2013, in many ways it has been a year of consolidation and improvement.

It has been encouraging to see the growth in the number of senior students taking the Board’s literacy and numeracy tests, and school leavers applying for their Records of School Achievement.

For the first time grades were awarded for all Stage 5 and Preliminary students and made available to them via Students Online as personal eRecords.

As I look ahead, 2014 is going to be a year of change – and I certainly believe for the better.

From 2014, NSW K-10 schools will commence a phased three year process of teaching the new NSW English, History, Mathematics, and Science syllabuses.

The Board will finalise, for the Minister’s consideration and approval, a new Languages Education policy, for a broader and more inclusive languages education for all NSW students.

Also, the 2014 HSC cohort will have their Preliminary grades included on their HSC Record of Achievement – underlying the Board’s recognition of the significance of work and teaching during Year 11.

Finally, from 1 January 2014 the Board of Studies NSW and NSW Institute of Teachers will have merged to become the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BoSTES). This ‘vertical integration' will bring together the best data and the best policy development opportunities for education reform. It will place NSW in a unique position in Australia and among a growing list of OECD jurisdictions that place standards at the centre of their education systems.

It will be an exciting opportunity and one I am sure will benefit both students and teachers.

I wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday and thank you for taking the time to read our news.

Carol Taylor

Chief Executive