As we move into a new academic year, we acknowledge
how busy the whole music education community is as programs settle in for a new
year. The start of 2015 has been very
busy for the sMAG committee members. As
we move into this new year, we welcome some valuable new members to the
committee:
Fiona Phillips, lecturer at Deakin University, will
take up the leadership of the Teacher Training Working Party following
Associate Robin Steven’s retirement from sMAG. Fiona wants to advocate for
music in a boarder sense and believes music is best taught by a
specialist. Currently, Fiona is
completing her PhD with a study on how generalist teachers can use music in the
classroom.
Martina Golding has been teaching at South Geelong
PS for 16 years. With a background in Kodaly
and Orff, Martina has spent time teaching music in Ballarat. While on leave, Martina would like to spend
12 months trying to contribute positively to Music Education reform. Martina is particularly cautious of
entertainment programs in schools, and would like to see specialist music
programs happen with employed salaried music teachers.
Sue Buchanan – Teaching classroom music for a long
time in independent and state schools. Sue
is also half way through a PhD. She has
a keen interest in implementing a music program in high needs schools. Improving Primary music specialists in the field
is a catalyst for wanting to join sMAG and contribute positively.
We have received an expression of interest from Sue
at Wyndam College, and look forward to receiving her at the next meeting.
New members bring fresh voices to the
processes. Much time was spent
discussing the central focus of sMAG in looking to see a specialist music
teacher with protected weekly time on the timetable for every school. Current challenges involve external musical
providers coming in and being used as a ‘music program’. Sadly this is used across the primary school
sector in Victoria. There is little
quality control with this model, and all would like to see schools employ a
salaried music specialist, and external providers welcomed to enhance and
extend quality school based programs.
TENURE
Carl
Stevens has expressed that his time to retire from his voluntary sMAG work had
come. We all extend generous thanks
towards Carl for his tireless work, as he had been working on the music
education issues since lobbying for the National Review of School Music
Education 2005: http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/9459/1/music_review_reportFINAL.pdf .
Carl has been highly involved in leading aspects of sMAG’s work over the
years, attending meetings, collating research, speaking at forums and writing
submissions to the various government inquiries to name a few components of his
valuable work. For a time, Carl was
Chair of sMAG, instigating the new structure of 2 Co- Chairs and 3 Working
Parities. His strategic mind will be
missed as we face new challenges into the future.
Thank you so much!
sMAG in 2014
The
parameters of sMAG’s work have always been and always will be clear. During 2014, sMAG lobbied the Victorian
parliamentarians and election candidates on behalf of the whole music community
without prejudice. Individual music groups/associations/businesses lobbied the
same Victorian parliamentarians and election candidates on their own behalf. The Labor party made their own independent
decisions, and are moving forward in their planning.
With
regard to communications, while we are aware of work in the planning stages, it
is up to DET and the individuals/organisations involved to make their launch
announcements. We can assure you that
much is on the way, and we look forward to major announcements in the coming
months.
sMAG in 2015
sMAG
intends to continue the work it has done over the past couple of years in
support of music in schools. While the
election is over and decisions made at a political level there is the important
work of implementation that is now underway.
Of
immediate significance are:
· The continued
implementation of the Inquiry recommendations
· The instrumental music
review
· The roll out of teacher
education programs announced both the Commonwealth and State governments in the
latter part of 2014.
Our
intention is that sMAG keep working with our elected representatives, the
department and music education stakeholders in an effort to ensure that music
education provision and quality in our schools is advanced.
Where
appropriate we will seek to comment on other national issues that have the
capacity to impact music education. We
will do this either under our own banner or in partnership or in support of
national groups.
Victorian Inquiry Implementation Update
The VCAA is
developing the Guide and will consult on a regular basis with stakeholders.
Inviting participation, via the Notice to Schools is one consultation
strategy that will be used. Members of the education community are invited to
email Helen Champion directly, as she will still accept expressions of interest
to participate in development of the guide: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/correspondence/notices/2014/81.aspx
The next Music
symposium at The Bastow Institute will be held on Tuesday March 10th,
at 4.30 pm.
‘Music Education in the Primary Setting: New
Pedagogies for Deep Learning’
Experiential learning focusing on the 6 C’s is
enhanced with the NPDL theory of learning.
See how this practical approach to learning is expressed in a musical
setting to achieve high student outcomes. School leaders, and
principals are encouraged to attend to hear how NPDL can be applied in Music
curriculum delivery.
Venue:
Cost: Free
Register:
· Attending the seminar at Bastow: register at:
· To participate via videoconference: please contact
ONLINE
PORTAL
The DET project
managers for the music education reform in Victoria encourage the music
community to get involved in the NING as an online portal and resource. Project
leader Cathy Beesey says it is a place for "schools (to) have access to
the best possible range of activities and available resources, and (so) your
organisations are supported with the opportunity of ongoing consultation with
the music education community. Should you know of professional learning
opportunities offered by your organisation or
colleagues, please post a notice on the Forum page so we can include in the
calendar on the events page.
Please click:http://musiceducation.ning.com/main/authorization/signUp
Should you have questions or issues about posting on the forum, please contact
Andrew McMillan on 9637 2287, or by email:
mcmillan.andrew.j@edumail.vic.gov.au"
There are
two current online discussion running hot; 'musicality' and 'Lighthouse
Schools'. Get involved and be a part of the reform discussions.
Your
opportunity to be involved consultation is empowered with this Ning, and as
such we encourage many of you to do so.
In order to reach every child in every diverse situation with a music
education, a range of experts and learning approaches will be needed. All your voices are vital in achieving
this. As the implementation roll out
commences, we hope you all become involved in a vibrant and positive way to
carry the wave of reform forward.
IMT
staff members are encouraged to speak to Marino D’Ortenzio for advice on any
employment status concerns.
We look forward to continuing the work in 2015, and hope to see
substantial movement in the coming months.
FEDERAL
The Report focuses on changes to initial teacher education that
are practical and achievable. The proposed reforms centre on five themes:
• Stronger quality assurance of teacher
education courses
• Rigorous selection for entry to teacher
education courses
• Improved and structured practical experience
for teacher education students
• Robust assessment of graduates to ensure
classroom readiness
• National research and workforce planning
capabilities
The report has some implications for music education,
especially
· Recommendation 18
Higher education providers equip all primary pre-service
teachers with at least one subject specialisation, prioritising science,
mathematics or a language. Providers publish specialisations available and
numbers of graduates from these programs.
sMAG will review the report and put forward a response from the
Teacher Training Working Party. Initial
thoughts are around putting forward an argument that specialisations need to
include those historically found in Victorian primary schools: Health/PE,
Visual Art and MUSIC.
All the best for the new academic
year!
The Federal Government released the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group (TEMAG) Report and the Government’s response on Friday February 13th, 2015. Both the TEMAG Report and the Government’s response aim to achieve improvements in both the content and delivery of initial teacher education courses in Australia.