As we move into the mid year, we are pleased to provide our supporters
and music community with a progress report.
Our committee has developed a working party model whereby expertise can
be directed towards the key aspects of the inquiry report and
recommendations. The report can feasibly
be divided into three chapters, and as such we have divided that way; Strategy
WP, Teacher Training WP and Instrumental Teaching WP. In this way, the workload has been divided,
and provided opportunities for committee members to speak across the field in
their area of expertise. Each members' contribution is highly valued!
DEECD
The Co-Chairs and Strategy WP members were able to meet at 1 St. Andrew's Place on July 8th, to discuss any planned response to the 17 recommendations. We were all very pleased with the discussions and initial thinking outlined, and we believe that the pathway towards improvement against those recommendations is well on the way. While it is early days in the process of implementing the Inquiry
recommendations, DEECD have begun the task. Our discussions moved in a very
positive way and we brought forward various ideas, hopes and strategies that we
have all discussed in our sMAG meetings. We are informed that the improvement plan will include a response to ALL 17 recommendations and ALL education sectors: Pubic, Catholic and Independent schools. sMAG will continue the conversation with the DEECD with a view to assisting with an improvement plan roll out.
The collective efforts of all in the music community over many long years is truly appreciated and celebrated as we report these positive outcomes. As we celebrate, we especially acknowledge the work of Dr. Anne Lierse and colleagues, pressing forward in the work since the NRSME. The whole music education community can be energized to carry this positive news forward, be ready to contribute in a positive way, and be encouraged in their daily work in education.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT
As you will be well aware, The Victorian Government
response to the Inquiry into the Extent, Benefits and Potential of Music
Education has been published: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/etc/Music_Ed_Inquiry/Government_Response_to_Education_and_Training_Committees_Inquiry_in_to_the_extent_benefits_and_.pdf
sMAG published a comment on the response on the sMAG blog:
http://smag-schoolmusicactiongroup.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/comment-on-government-response-to-music.html
sMAG will work with both parties in apolitical ways, to focus on music education for Victorian
children. Ian and Catherine have written
to the Premier thanking him for his personal attention to the inquiry and
affirming our willingness as stakeholders to work with government in an
implementation process.
We have had an initial conversation with Labor. More will be required but is seems that Labor
will want to have their own response to the Inquiry rather than just run with
what the Government has accepted. This
is no surprise and the work we will need to do with Labor is to build what they
would call ‘Labor values’ into their music ed plan.
FEDERAL SUBMISSION
The Federal Government called for submissions to the
Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group (TEMAG). sMAG made a substantive
submission specifically on Music Specialist teacher training. Robin S. Stevens led the Teacher Training WP
on this submission. Our submission highlighted
the restriction that the current AITSL guidelines put on the undergraduate
degrees while amalgamating 5 subjects under the one banner ‘The Arts’. The sheer lack of time allocated to
undergraduate music training as a main point.
We put forward a case that tertiary education training in music needs to
be develop key skills, cover a broad, deep history and cover specific pedagogical
methods tested over time in this field.
We offered various possible solutions, and bridging options with a
highlight on the best outcome being specialist music teacher graduates, able to
deliver a P – 8 curriculum in a full time capacity. When ready, all public
submissions will be available to read here: https://submissions.education.gov.au/Forms/TEMAG/pages/index
The discussion paper can be read here: https://submissions.education.gov.au/Forms/TEMAG/Documents/TEMAG%20Issues%20Paper%20-%20April%202014.pdf A preliminary report following
the Federal Review of Australian curriculum is now available: http://www.studentsfirst.gov.au/review-australian-curriculum
ABC comment: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-18/interim-school-curriculum-review-report-suggests-no-changes/5531404
Members of the Instrumental Training WP were able to open
discussions with AEU representatives with regard to the VIT regulations and
their impact on the instrumental community.
We hope to continue the conversation in the future. Investigation and discussions on recommended implementation
strategies have been diverse. sMAG
hopes to garnish views from the wider instrumental community in due course.
The Music Trust has announced an award for Research into
the Benefits of Music Education http://musictrust.com.au/research-award-2/
Closing date for nominations is July 31, 2014.
The Award will be decided by a panel of judges chaired by The Music
Trust nominee, and our sMAG committee member, Assoc. Prof. Robin Stevens.
Judges will be provided through a collaboration with the Australian and New
Zealand Association for Research in Music Education and the Australian Music
and Psychology Society.
MEDIA
On the release of the report, sMAG joined forces with The
Music Trust to connect with the media, without replicating resources. We were pleased with the outcomes!
The Australian newspaper has published an article on the
push for more Music Education: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/an-education-for-the-soul/story-fniwj43s-1226956387933#
sMAG and The Music Trust/The Full Deal are mentioned, along with the Victorian
government inquiry. Please pick up a hard copy, or check your online
subscriptions.
Radio National: The director of The Music Trust
- Richard Letts, was on Radio National on May 24th. The interview was repeated on Sat
May 24th at 10 pm, or you can listen to playback online:http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/musicshow/music-education3a-in-crisis3f/5475520
Community radio 2CR also recorded an interview with a few
primary school principals with a vibrant music program. The prerecording was
broadcast across rural stations located in Victoria and NSW.
Further, we are pleased to inform you of the support
received from Victorian Parents Council.
They have circulated The Full Deal petition to all of their email
contacts. Various members of the music
community have also provided such strong support in this area right across
Victoria – THANK YOU!!!
PATRONS
AND AMBASSADORS
Dr. Barry Jones has confirmed his relationship with sMAG,
and remains our key Patron. He has been
awarded with a Companion of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday
Honours list! We welcome the news and congratulate our patron on this
prestigious award, following his years of service to the community in science,
humanities, politics and public health organizations.
Read the ABC story here:
Ambassadors
We are pleased to announce a continued association with
Prof. Brian Caldwell, and Jonathon Welch AM.
We have written to Richard Gill and Senator Rodney Kemp in the hope that
they too will continue their vibrant association.
Dr. Jonathon Welch AM
Prof. Brian Caldwell
Bob Spencer – Guitarist from The Angels http://www.paulandrews.com.au/melb/about-band-members/bob-spencer.html
- has come on board as an ambassador, and we look forward to
working with him into the future.
Further, we have written to Tina Arena, Keith Urban, David
Hobson and Guy Sebastian in the hope that they too will join this auspicious
team of supporters. These familiar names
are very popular with today’s generation of parents, and we hope to connect
WHAT
YOU CAN DO
MUSIC COUNT US IN
Getting involved in the Music Count Us In project enables schools to
promote music education in their local community, and connect with the local
media. In previous years, schools from
around victoria have reported that parents, teachers and principals have been
moved to provide greater support for music departments. Local radio stations, and newspapers have
always been keen to connect with the staging of the events as it hooks into the
national media campaign. It is really
worthwhile participating as the knock on benefits can be substantial.
The 2014 song is ready for distribution and practice for the simultaneous
performance - Oct 30 at 12.30 pm! Get involved and promote music education in
your local community. http://www.musiccountusin.org.au/
THE MUSIC TRUST
Please continue to bring this to the
attention of colleagues and friends. Survey Monkey Petition: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/full-deal
Principals have tremendous power to employ a specialist music teacher
should their circumstances allow it, and the parent community encourage
it. The
Music Trust has listed an example of how to write to the Principal to this
end, which parents may wish to use and adjust to the specific circumstances of
your local school. Have a look here and
see if this is something your community can employ: http://musictrust.com.au/music-education/advocacy-argument/a-letter-to-principals-why-and-how-to-have-a-music-program-in-your-school/
Share this YOUTUBE video around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng A Ted Ex talk clearly demonstrating the neurological effects of music making.
SOCIAL
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Please pass these connections to colleagues that use these
platforms – particularly graduate teachers!
YouTube:
Twitter: @sMAG_Vic
Thank you for your continued support. We hope to make significant
progress over the next 12 months and believe that implementation of the inquiry recommendations will see significant improvements in the field
over the next 3 – 5 years.
Please forward the July ENews to colleagues you believe would be
interested in supporting sMAG.
“A
rising tide will lift all boats!” John
F. Kennedy
