From all reports schools were well prepared for the new NSW K-10 English, History, Mathematics and Science syllabuses.

Teachers, sectors, parents and the wider community provided valuable input into the syllabuses and worked with BOSTES to develop what is proving to be a successful implementation schedule.

Schools will be aware that BOSTES is currently reviewing the K-10 Geography syllabus and recently announced it will start a review of the HSC English, History, Mathematics and Science syllabuses.

BOSTES will follow its well established and extensive consultative processes to develop and implement any new syllabuses, and will share updates via the BOSTES Bulletin.

While BOSTES conducts formal reviews of syllabuses, we are always listening to and speaking with all our stakeholders on how best to support quality teaching and learning in NSW.

When the government announced the merger of the Board of Studies and the NSW Institute of Teachers to form the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards, the aim was to bring together the best data and the best policy development opportunities for education reform. The new organisation puts 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.

I believe the first six months of BOSTES have shown we have made a good start towards achieving this aspiration.

A key focus has been the Great Teaching, Inspired Learning blueprint, and over the period, working with the sectors and our stakeholders, a series of major initiatives have been launched. A trial of literacy and numeracy tests for teaching students is scheduled for later this term, a new framework for professional experience has been developed and launched, and the BOSTES school registration system now includes the public school sector.

On a national level, BOSTES, in consultation with the three sectors, made submissions to the Commonwealth Government’s reviews into the Australian curriculum and teacher education. The strength of our submissions reflected the depth and quality of contributions made by the sectors – and I very much appreciate the insights provided and interest shown in these important reviews.

More broadly, the value and strength of what is happening in the NSW education system is dependent upon a unity of purpose from schools, teachers, parents – and of course students. As the current reforms and new syllabuses settle in, and as new opportunities for improvement are assessed and existing syllabuses reviewed, it is your constructive contribution that will sustain this success.