On behalf of the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards I wish to welcome you to the first edition of the BOSTES Bulletin.

While this week you are understandably focussed on the official start to the school year, 2014 has started with more public policy debate about what is taught in schools.

A review of the Australian curriculum by the Commonwealth Government has been announced. There are no implications for the implementation of the NSW syllabus arising from this review. The implementation of the NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum will continue on the existing schedule.

As with the development of the new NSW K-10 syllabuses, in responding to the current reviews and debate BOSTES will work with our stakeholders (the sectors, schools, teachers, parents and the wider community) to ensure what is taught in NSW schools maintains our high standards.

The recent HSC demonstrated the integrity and fairness of our internationally regarded examination, and the quality of our syllabuses and teaching.

One way we keep in touch with our stakeholders is an annual engagement program. As part of this program I meet with principal and teacher associations, parent and student groups, and representatives of the sectors, to seek their input on policies and issues. This gives BOSTES direct insights into the thoughts of your key representative bodies. This was very valuable over 2013 and I look forward to an equally constructive consultation process over 2014.

There is of course ongoing consultation on specific initiatives and I thank you in advance for your input over the year.

For what is going to be a year that will bring changes in education, I wish all schools and students the best of success for 2014 and the opportunities that will come with these changes.

Tom Alegounarias
President