Victorian Government Ambassador for Music Education and Musical Instrument Grants Program - Round One

Ms. Harriet Shing MP has been announced in the latest media release, as the Victorian Governments Ambassador for Music Education.http://www.harrietshing.com.au/details/about/ She studied music herself, and is keen to move things forward. She says: “Learning, practising and playing music is a wonderful way for students to develop new skills and confidence.” 
“I know first-hand the incredible fun and benefit of musical education and I’m really looking forward to seeing more students get into the groove with new instruments and equipment.”

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/schools-get-in-tune-with-new-instruments/

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Victorian schools have received grants of up to $5000 under Round One of the Musical Instrument Grants program.
Minister for Education, James Merlino announced this week, the 43 schools to receive grants that will purchase more than 270 pieces of musical equipment. http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/schools-get-in-tune-with-new-instruments/

SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS - ROUND 1:
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT GRANTS
Bass Valley Primary School
Eaglehawk Primary School
Bendigo Primary School
Divrei Emineh
Broadmeadows Valley Primary School
Phoenix P-12 Community College
Canadian Lead Primary School
Croydon Primary School
Dandenong South Primary School
Lyndale Greens Primary School
St Mary's School
Worawa Aboriginal College
Debney Meadows Primary School
Frankston East Primary School
Aldercourt Primary School
Whittington Primary School
Orbost North Primary School
Nowa Nowa Primary School
Araluen Primary School
Wallaroo Primary School
Athol Road Primary School
St Thomas Aquinas School
Northern Bay P-12 College
Carlton Primary School
Mildura Primary School
Commercial Road Primary School - Morwell
Springvale Rise Primary School (interim name)
Kerang Primary School
River Gum Primary School
Yarrunga Primary School
Preston North East Primary School
Maryborough Education Centre
Wedderburn College
Timor Primary School
St Georges Road Primary School Shepparton
Bundarra Primary School
Ardeer Primary School
St Albans East Primary School
Lalor Primary School
Lalor East Primary School
Wendouree Primary School
Iramoo Primary School
Roxburgh Rise Primary School

sMAG Response: VICTORIAN STATE BUDGET - EDUCATION

The sMAG (School Music Action Group) Victoria welcomes the Victorian State Budget’s focus on making Victoria ‘The Education State’.  Building infrastructure will provide assets to the Victorian people for decades to come and support student, teacher and school leadership aspirations in all subject areas.  As a matter of providing for high class learning outcomes and student efficacy, we agree that the buildings and maintenance budget needs immediate attention to ensure equity and access is delivered – and we welcome your announcements.

We welcome;

“The Victorian Budget 2016-17 invests $924 million in new and upgraded schools. This includes:

•   $385 million for upgrades to schools in poor condition 


•   $287 million to construct new schools and buy land, including many in growth areas 


•   $92 million to establish Tech Schools in the Ballarat, Banyule, Bendigo, Casey, Geelong, Gippsland, Monash, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra Ranges regions 


•   $63.6 million for relocatable classrooms to alleviate immediate pressure in overcrowded schools” 


Design will be a key success factor, particularly in our focus area - Music Education.  Building design has a great impact on the successful delivery of Music Education and it’s impact on surrounding quiet learning areas.  Delivering buildings with efficiency to maximise output on any budget, will also be welcomed by communities.  Successful designs take into account the particular needs of creating noise, and ensuring noise transfer is minimised.  Some successful implementations include:

• ·       Various SPORTS CENTRES including a ‘stage’ at one end of the building.   
•       Music spaces in a separate building to any quiet learning area.   
•       Features that include large instrument storage and small rooms for instrumental music tuition.  Further, sufficient electrical power points are installed to enable keyboard decks, computer systems and amplifiers to be adequately serviced by large groups of students.
• ·       Providing garden/courtyard spaces adjacent to any music room allows for students to spread out, reducing noise impact on one another in any one class time.

With clear guidelines provided to principals around Music Education space design, we are more likely to see success and see efficiency of space use particularly in sports hall design.  Should schools have no choice but to make their music room adjacent to a quiet classroom, sound proofing needs to be considered.  With accountability structures in place to ensure the building works are implemented appropriately in every setting, equity and access in all aspects of Education are more likely to be delivered.   We believe it is essential for appropriate buildings for Music Education be planned and designed to support delivery of the recommendations from the Victorian Inquiry into the Extent, Benefits and Potential of Music Education (2013). http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/Music_Education_Final_041113_FJWsJhBy.pdf.  We welcome the Victorian Budget 2016 -17 as a great opportunity to improve delivery in Education, and particularly Music Education across the State.

Further, developing designs around ‘community hubs’ where music and performing arts buildings can be best used by groups will only assist in building Victoria:

•   $50 million to create community hubs in growth areas to enable greater use of school assets outside of school hours 


Design strategy in buildings, as previously mentioned, would enable local council bands, dance clubs, drama groups and other performing arts businesses to maximise use of facilities.  Not only that, but any collaboration between private business and Music education providers would be facilitated.  Examples exist where the performing arts spaces have enabled daytime students to collaborate with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and feeder high schools, as well as hire the purpose design space out to drama and dance companies after hours.  Collaborations across communities both inside and outside school hours, will only be supported by such efficient use of infrastructure.

•   A further $28 million to remove asbestos in schools 


•   $18 million for up to 100 secondary schools in disadvantaged areas across Victoria to deliver purpose-built consultation rooms for general practitioner doctors services 
”

We welcome all these measures, as it will build Victoria as The Education State.

In Early Years development, we welcome the budget provisions for improving services, building learning facilities and for small rural kindergartens:

The Education State vision includes giving
 every child the best start in life, with quality early childhood development, and support to learn, play and grow. The Budget invests $151 million in these services. This includes:

•   $133 million for maternal and child health services that provide advice and support on a range of parenting, child and family health, and development and early learning issues 


•   $10 million to build and plan for new early learning facilities in growth areas 


•   $4.4 million for small rural kindergartens across the State 


As stated in our response to the Early Years Learning Development, we welcome all measures to improve the Birth to Year 2 delivery: http://smag-schoolmusicactiongroup.blogspot.com.au/.  Within the context of these new provisions, we would call upon the government to ensure that physical spaces and materials for learning spaces that support the delivery of Music Education as per the VEYLD and the Victorian Curriculum is delivered.  Building models that include Early Years Centres and Kindergartens on the same property as Primary and Secondary Colleges would allow for efficient delivery and sharing of resources.  We see examples of good practice in building such facilities in new estates across Melbourne.

In building the Victorian Secondary Technical Schools and TAFE system, we welcome all measures to improve education delivery in these sectors.  Trade based learning has been lagging in Victoria for some decades, and the announcements from the Andrews’ government is welcomed.  VET and VCAL programs in Music Education have produced some of the Music industry’s top earners in both performance and audio technicians.  Skills delivery to young people wishing to enter an Australian $1.2 billion Music Industry needs Tech school and TAFE support: http://musicaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Australian-Music-Industry-Statistical-Snapshot.pdf  “Live music injects over $1.2 billion into the Australian economy annually, and the broader Australian entertainment sector is valued at $ 3 billion.”

So we applaud the Victorian government budget investing an extra $49 million to support higher education, training and skills. We call upon the Victorian government to ensure the Music Industry grows further by delivering on Music Education in these key sectors.  Students attracted to Secondary Tafe Colleges often thrive with a solid practical music program.  Amongst others, Box Hill TAFE is an outstanding example of Music Education delivery for this sector.  Swinburne Senior Secondary College, Hawthorn is a success story in the VET/VCAL delivery: http://sssc.vic.edu.au/. 

As we move towards hearing about further announcements - “Using funding allocated last Budget, we are investing $747 million from the start of the 2016 school year to provide additional support to schools, students, principals and teachers. The Government will make further announcements about additional investment for the 2017 school year.”- we welcome any further consultation and conversation around ensuring Music is a key focus,  supported by The Education State white paper http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/educationstate/launch.pdf  and the Victorian Inquiry into the Extent, Benefits and Potential of Music Education (2013).  http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/Music_Education_Final_041113_FJWsJhBy.pdf . 

Attention now needs to be drawn towards Chapter 5 of the Victorian Inquiry findings http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/Music_Education_Final_041113_FJWsJhBy.pdf where clear recommendations and evidence is presented to call for improvements within pre service teacher training in music education.  Further, a clear promotion plan as outlined by Recommendation 5, to ensure all stakeholders and principals implement and embrace the vision.

Once again applaud the critical contribution to Education announced in the Victorian 2016 - 17 budget. We look forward to an ongoing conversation and consultation process as stakeholders to see ongoing improvements into the future.

VICTORIAN EARLY YEARS LEARNING DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK RESPONSE

The sMAG (School Music Action Group) Victoria welcomes the clear and explicit inclusion of Music Education requirements within the Victorian Early Years Learning Development Framework, http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/childhood/providers/edcare/veyldframework.pdf .  We congratulate the Victorian government on the improvements that have been outlined in the Early Childhood Review and particularly the explicit requirement of inclusion of music education in 4 of the 5 key delivery areas in the VEYLD Framework for educators; Identity, Community, Wellbeing and Communication.  The inclusion of musical interaction as one of the ways in which children form a sense of identity, connect with each other and their world is welcome.  The recognition in the VEYLD Framework of singing and other modes of musical expression as part of a young child’s means to communicate effectively is also to be commended. The identification of the important role of all early childhood educators in promoting musical interactions with young children is welcomed.

The understanding that all children should have access to and enjoy interacting musically with teachers and one another in a learning community, is reflected in the pages of this document.  Further, the inclusion of music literacy as one of the ways in which children understand how symbols and pattern systems work in aural art forms (p.31) reflects current thinking about children's growth and development (Collins, 2014; Williams, Barrett, Welch, Abad, & Broughton, 2015).   It is to be hoped that this will go some way towards ensuring all educators meet the requirements of the VEYLD Framework. With adequate data collection, accountability structures and pre service training, the expected outcomes will be strengthened. 

In the reality of our increasingly globalised and pluralistic society, we also recognise the value of more inclusive policies. It is therefore heartening to note that the VEYLD Framework for educators addresses the importance of inter-cultural aspects of music-making and dance that are essential for personal and social well being. Under the Early Years Learning and Development Outcome 3. We read that one indication of children’s’ wellbeing is their response

“through movement to traditional and contemporary music, dance and storytelling of their own and other’s cultures” (p.23)

With sound accountability structures in place to ensure the VEYLD Framework is implemented in every setting, equity and access in Music Education are more likely to be addressed in the Birth – Year 2 life stage.   This document will assist Early Years Educators in applying their knowledge to the soon to be released Music Education Guide Recommendation 6 of the Victorian Inquiry into the Extent, Benefits and Potential of Music Education (2013). http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/Music_Education_Final_041113_FJWsJhBy.pdf.  We believe the link between the current measures being implemented will improve music outcomes for all young children of Victoria.

We plan to have further discussions with DET in the coming weeks and believe that the goodwill evidenced throughout the 2015 processes can be continued to the benefit of all Victorian students and school communities.

Music as a key focus for The Education State white paper http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/educationstate/launch.pdf  has brought  and will continue to bring about many improvements against the Vic Inquiry into the Extent, Benefits and Potential of Music Education (2013).  http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/Music_Education_Final_041113_FJWsJhBy.pdf .  The explicit inclusion of learning and assessment requirements in the VEYLD Framework again is an outworking of this welcome commitment from the Victorian Andrews' government.  We would see there now to be a clear need to implement Recommendation 1 on data collection and accountability structures, as well as, Recommendation 5 on a clear promotion plan to ensure that every educator delivers on the VEYLD Framework.  In order for all of this to be achieved, attention now needs to be drawn towards Chapter 5 of the Victorian Inquiry findings http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/Music_Education_Final_041113_FJWsJhBy.pdf where clear recommendations and evidence is presented to call for improvements within pre service teacher training in music education to effectively deliver on the new VEYLD Framework.  We would hope that today’s Victorian budget makes some allowance for these measures into the coming years.

We look forward to an ongoing conversation and consultation process as stakeholders to see ongoing improvements into the future.

Victorian 2016 Budget

Tomorrow, the Victorian Budget will be laid down. Having seen strong support for Music Education from Labor over the last 12 months we call upon the government to continue to support the implementation of all the recommendations from the Vic Inquiry 2013: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/Music_Education_Final_041113_FJWsJhBy.pdf Funding specifically towards pre service training, Instrumental Music Education and lead schools in music is essential for securing equity in this subject throughout Victoria.

sMAG Term 1 ENews

Term 1 brought a need for the sMAG Vic committee to prioritize the needs of the Secondary Instrument Music Teacher community.  A couple of forums were organized where Marino D’Ortenzio provided advice to over 100 delegates, which was acted upon swiftly by all.  A report is contained in this ENews.

We have a new hard copy mailing address:  P.O Box 4076, Box Hill South, Vic 3128

Please continue to send soft copy to our email address:  smag.schoolmusicactiongroup@gmail.com  

As we moved through Term 1, we saw the development and implementation of many improvement points against the Victorian Inquiry into the Extent, Benefits and Potential of Music Education 2013.  We see the commencement of a promotional plan come online at the DET intranet portal, a range of PD on the Music Education Guide (AMUSE and VCAA), and the continued development of the Music Education Quality Framework (University of Melbourne).  Richard Gill’s National Music Teachers Mentoring program continues in 2016.  We heard in 2015 of the $2M commitment to PD for Music Teachers and grants for instruments.  Details in this 2016 Andrews’ government media release: http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/helping-victorian-kids-to-embrace-music/

VICTORIA - The Education State – Including Music

The Andrews government’s vision and financial commitments, as led by the Hon. James Merlino MP, to The Education State within the launch paper asserts transformational change is ahead. http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/educationstate/launch.pdf .  

In consultation with DET we can be assured that many initiatives for improving music education provisions as recommended by the Victorian Inquiry into the Extent, Benefits and Potential of Music Education are being incorporated into the overarching Education State delivery including:

•        Accountability processes to ensure the new Education State measures are implemented (including Music)
•        Formal analysis in an overarching, Statewide manner to measure success at strategic timely intervals (including reforms in Music).

The clear aspiration towards equity across the State is to be highly commended.  Of particular importance to the music education community is the clear commitment to The Arts and particularly Music, which is stated with such intention on page 14 of The Education State Launch document.  This is greatly welcomed!!!

Quote directly from the document:

“Over the next 10 years, more Victorian students will reach the highest levels of achievement in the arts.”

Clearly the commitment to developing excellence in education comes through the document.  Please take the time to read ‘The Education State – Launch’ paper, and become familiar with the vision and aspirations.

Mr. Merlino visited Rivergum Primary School to launch the Music In Schools Program and got onto the drum kit to jam with the band: http://www.rivergumps.vic.edu.au/music-in-schools-program-launched-by-education-minister-james-merlino/

The $2 million Music in Schools program comprises:

•        $1.6 million for professional training for hundreds of Victorian teachers so that schools without strong, school-wide programs can establish quality music programs.
•        $400,000 in grants over two stages for schools to buy instruments.
•        $200,000 so trainee teachers at university studying to become primary teachers can complete musical education training.

VCAA: Specialist Mentors in Music

The VCAA have appointed two specialist mentors to develop the abilities of teachers across the P – 12 landscape, aligned with the vision and aspiration of The Education State.  These two expert music teachers work 0.5 in their mentoring role, and 0.5 in their schools.  The VCAA now seek to appoint a further two specialist mentor teachers in Music.  Closing date for applicants is April 22.  Details can be found here: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/correspondence/notices/2016/28.aspx  Enquiries about the Specialist Teacher role can be directed to: Alan McLean  Email:  mclean.alan.w@edumail.vic.gov.au

We look forward to hearing reports and stories as they meet with teachers and invest in Music Education.

BASTOW SEMINAR SERIES

In August 2015, Richard Gill OAM presented a music seminar at the Bastow Institute, Melbourne. Put the kettle on, and prepare for an hour of compelling oration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8iF_IuC8yc

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMS

Many key industry providers have entered into an SPP with DET to deliver on Music Education.  One example is the Musicessentails program with Musica Viva.
Description: Musicassentials provides stage-specific music and cross-curricular exercises that contain up to a term’s work of music and extension activities for students. Modules are downloadable across multiple platforms including computers/tablets and are relevant to the flexible and accessible education models of the 21st Century, Victorian Curriculum requirements and the priorities of the National Curriculum. The program provides a flexible approach to student learning and can be used individually to encourage self-directed learning, in a formalised setting with teachers, or in a semi-facilitated capacity with parents. http://www.musicaviva.com.au/education/musicadventures/about-musicadventures

All of the above are funded either fully or in partnership with the Victorian government as clear strategy to improve music education delivery in this State.  We welcome and support these measures, and look forward to further developments as we approach the May budget.

VICTORIAN REVIEWS – sMAG Submissions

SECONDARY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM

We believe that the Bracks School Funding Review will cover the Secondary Instrumental Music Program (SIMP).  sMAG submitted to this review in 2015.  We see that the review was publicly released on April 3, 2016.  We look forward to reading the long document and responding in due course.  http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/fundingreview.aspx

VIT Permission To Teach Review

After consultation with Marino D’Ortenzio from the AEU, many hundreds of IMTs wrote to both the VIT and the Hon. James Merlino MP with their views on the VIT PTT and the impact on workplace status and conditions.  The VIT responded by meeting with key stakeholders including Meredith Peace of the AEU, listening to the key concerns from around the State.  The Hon. Mr. James Merlino also met with the AEU representatives.  sMAG received notification that the VIT will further review the PTT policy, and then submit to the  Education Minister for his consideration.  We deeply appreciate all the letters and work involved by all those contributors and we hope that a positive result will be forthcoming.  However, we wait cautiously as the IMT community will need to engage in further action and conversation if the reviewed policy doesn’t support the profession. We would impress upon the VIT to regulate the IMT profession and specifically define an IMT role as ‘teacher’ according to the Legislative Act of 2006.

THE VET FUNDING REVIEW

ww.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/vetfundingresponse.aspx    

sMAG submitted to this review in 2015.  There is a long and detailed list of recommendations and then a government response at the website.  We are yet to analyse and respond to the VET funding review.  Our time has been invested in the VIT PTT discourse.

THE SPECIAL NEEDS REVIEW

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/specialneeds.aspx

sMAG welcomes the commitment the Victorian government is providing the Special Needs education area.  All the implementation plan points will highly develop the area and increase student outcomes.  Needless to say, sMAG made a submission to this review in 2015, led by Dr. Helen Farrell, and we are thrilled with the outcomes of the review.

The Education State – Early Childhood Framework.

file:///Users/T02384537/Downloads/Early_Childhood_Consultation_Paper_(PDF)%20(2).pdf

sMAG submitted a substantial paper to this consultation process.  I extend thanks to the sMAG teacher training committee members, with specific expertise in the Birth to Age 7 area.  A Framework for improvement in the Early Years sector has been published: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/edcare/Pages/veyladf.aspx?Redirect=1

The PDF: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/childhood/providers/edcare/veyldframework.pdf

sMAG welcomes the new Framework and commend the government and professionals involved in delivering this key aspect of improvement in the sector.

PD AROUND THE STATE

VOSA EVENT  https://www.facebook.com/events/485060455006914/ 

Living Music & Dance is aimed at reviving, inspiring, encouraging and challenging music teachers of children aged 5-14 years.
Christoph Maubach, our featured presenter, has been known and loved around the world for his gentle approach, wonderful repertoire and beautiful musical outcomes. He’s travelling from New Zealand to lead us in sessions that use the Orff Approach to focus on the Voice and “Playful Classroom Music Arrangements for Movement and Dance”.

KODALY EVENT

http://pickevent.com/e/AutumnSeminar/home/#module

RICHARD GILL’s FREE PD/FORUM: Email -kobyrne@musicaviva.com.au

MUSICAL FUTURES CONFERENCE: http://www.musicalfuturesaustralia.org/2016-teachers-conference.html

AMUSE

A range of PD events focusing on the new Victorian Curriculum and the Music Education Guide amongst others.

http://www.amuse.vic.edu.au/

In other news……

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

Publications in media have reported the high uptake of Musical studies in later years.  The University of Melbourne is showing an increase in student numbers: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/victoria/music-hits-a-high-note-among-school-leavers-20160115-gm6xr2.html

AITSL stakeholder survey  Insights from the profession

Please take the time to look at the survey and submit your thoughts particularly around specialist areas and Music:

https://svy1.dbmweb.com.au/mrIWeb/mrIWeb.dll

sMAG IS ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sMAGVic?fref=ts   Yet another way to network, and share your ideas and new finds in the music education area!

sMAG is a non partisan committee, consisting of volunteers from all sectors of the music community, and we welcome your input. Anyone is welcome to email us at any point and make a contribution: smag.schoolmusicactiongroup@gmail.com.

Please share our news with your friends, and post your ideas to our Facebook page – we love hearing from the whole community.