ANNUAL REPORT 31 December 2009 July 2010 © SACE Board of South Australia ABN 87 604 513 459 ISBN 978 1 74102 731 0 (online version) ISBN 978 1 74102 732 7 (printed version) ISSN 0815–2004 Prepared by the Communications Unit SACE Board of South Australia 60 Greenhill Road Wayville South Australia 5034 Telephone: +61 8 8372 7400 Facsimile: +61 8 8372 7590 Email: [email protected] Website Address: www.sace.sa.edu.au South Australian Certificate of Education 60 Greenhill Road Wayville SA 5034 Phone +61 8 8372 7400 Fax +61 8 8372 7590 [email protected] www.saceboard.sa.edu.au ABN 87 604 513 459 Tuesday 30 March 2010 To the Honourable Jay Weatherill, MP Minister for Education Dear Minister I am pleased to submit the 2009 Annual Report of the SACE Board of South Australia, in accordance with the SACE Board of South Australia Act 1983 and the Department of Premier and Cabinet Circular, PC013 — Annual Reporting Requirements (September 2009). This report documents the activities and achievements of the SACE Board of South Australia for the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009. Yours sincerely Allan Dooley Presiding Member of the Board SACE Board of South Australia CONTENTS Presiding Member’s Statement 1 Chief Executive’s Statement 2 The SACE Board of South Australia 4 Plans and Objectives 7 Curriculum, Assessment, and Standards 9 Curriculum 9 Recognition of Other Learning 11 Quality Assurance 13 Assessment 14 Implementation of the new SACE 16 Policy Framework for the new SACE 16 Assessment and Reporting Model 16 Leaders Professional Development 17 Teachers Professional Development 18 Pilot Programs 18 Data and IT Systems 19 Collaboration and Partnerships 21 Consultation and Engagement 21 National Alliances 24 Communication 24 Governance and Organisational Capability 27 Communication and Engagement Framework 27 Planning and Reporting Framework 27 Strategic Internal Audit Plan 27 ISO 9001 Accreditation 27 Procurement Framework 27 OHSW Service Level Agreement 28 Electronic Document and Records Management System 28 Security Management Framework 28 Human Resources Management Reporting 29 Operations Management Reporting 33 Financial Management Reporting 35 Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2009 36 SACE Board Annual Report 2009 v Appendix A: The SACE Board and Its Standing Committees 57 Appendix B: Board Profiles 60 Appendix C: Curriculum Leaders Groups 64 Appendix D: Accredited Subjects 69 Appendix E: Prizes and Awards 74 Appendix F: Merit List 75 Appendix G: Statistics 88 Stage 1 88 Stage 2 106 vi SACE Board Annual Report 2009 PRESIDING MEMBER’S STATEMENT This is my first report as Presiding Member results release which saw a record number of the SACE Board of South Australia. I of South Australian Certificates of Education commenced in July 2009 and succeeded the awarded. The results were delivered ahead outgoing Presiding Member, Mr Patrick Wright. of schedule thanks to the dedication of SACE Patrick commenced his work with the SACE Board staff and hundreds of teachers in all Board in 1984 and assumed the role of Presiding three school sectors, who served as examiners, Member in 1994. I take this opportunity to markers, and moderators. warmly thank Patrick for his leadership and Research demonstrates that completing Year 12 significant contribution to the work of the Board provides the best foundation for further training and to building the lives of young people through and higher education, and gives young people education and training over so many years. An a valuable opportunity to achieve higher earning extraordinary commitment by any measure. potential. It is, therefore, pleasing that we are I also acknowledge the important contributions continuing to meet one of the objectives of South of other outgoing members: former secondary Australia’s Strategic Plan with more students school principal and education leader Mr Bob completing the South Australian Certificate of Heath, Professor Sue Richardson of Flinders Education (SACE) in 2009 than in previous University, and Professor Peter Lee from the years. The Board is confident this trend will University of South Australia. continue, as the new vocational education and training arrangements will encourage students There were several new faces on the Board who are motivated to learn in a practical in 2009: Associate Professor Sivakumar environment to complete their SACE while Alagumalai of the University of Adelaide School also developing industry skills in fields such as of Education, Mr Kim Hebenstreit, Principal of carpentry, hairdressing, plumbing, and sales and Thebarton Senior College, and Ms Jillian Miller, marketing. Coordinator of Indigenous Student Services at the University of South Australia. In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation of the dedication and expertise of The Board also welcomed two new deputy members of the Board and of those members of members: Mr Graeme Oliver, Deputy Principal of the community who contributed to the Board’s the Australian Science and Mathematics School three standing committees: the Accreditation and and Adjunct Lecturer at the Flinders University Recognition Committee, the Communication and School of Education, and Ms Michelle Bentley, Engagment Committee, and the Finance, Risk, General Manager of Donington SA, a national and Audit Committee. group specialising in career management and transition services. As we implement the new SACE, I am confident that it will continue to deliver excellent In welcoming new members to the Board, I opportunities for young people to succeed wish to particularly recognise the appointment beyond school. I look forward to the continuing of Ms Jane Danvers as Deputy Presiding work of the Board and our partners towards this Member of the Board in July 2009. I extend goal in 2010. congratulations to Jane on this appointment. There were many highlights of our work together in 2009, including the Merit Ceremony in the grounds of Government House, the SACE Art Show in the Light Square Gallery at the Adelaide Allan Dooley Centre for the Arts, and, most notably, the 2009 Presiding Member SACE Board Annual Report 2009 1 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT The year 2009 was full of exciting challenges Principles and Practices in consultation with for the SACE Board of SA. We continued our principals and the school sectors in order to committment to students, their families, teachers, better recognise the increased importance of and schools by delivering quality services in school-based assessment in the new SACE. curriculum, moderation, assessment, reporting, The new document — SACE Assessment and certification. Working in collaboration Responsibility: SACE Board and Schools — will with our partners and stakeholders, we also set out the basis for the partnership and shared continued the development and implementation responsibilities between the SACE Board and of the new South Australian Certificate of schools for school-based assessment. Education (SACE). The SACE Board is mindful of its responsibility Year 10 students were the first to undertake to inform parents, teachers, and other key the new compulsory subject — the Personal stakeholders of these many important changes, Learning Plan — which encourages students and has implemented a comprehensive to explore their strengths, abilities, and skills in Communications Plan. The SACE Board website order to gain an understanding of future training has been redesigned to give visitors faster and employment opportunities. access to subject and assessment information and support materials. Teachers will also be able Other Stage 1 subjects will commence in to book into workshops and online forums via the 2010 with the introduction of the new SACE new website. The new website address will be for Year 11 students, and work to prepare www.sace.sa.edu.au. teachers continued in earnest throughout 2009. Workshops and conferences were held This Annual Report provides accurate and throughout the state focusing on topics such comprehensive information on the SACE as the Personal Learning Plan, other new Board of South Australia’s activities, initiatives, and revised Stage 1 subjects, and new SACE outcomes, and achievements during 2009. assessment measurement procedures. Some highlights are outlined below. More than sixty subject outlines, most covering curriculum for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 (Years SACE Outcomes 11 and 12), were redeveloped for teaching from It is pleasing to report that the SACE Board, in 2010 and 2011, respectively. These subject partnership with schools and the school sectors, outlines were the culmination of extensive is continuing to meet the objectives of South consultation with the education community. They Australia’s Strategic Plan 2007, most notably will ensure the new SACE delivers a qualification Target 6.16, which seeks to ‘…Increase yearly that equips young people with the knowledge the proportion of 15-19 year olds who achieve and skills to undertake further study or training, the SACE…’ In 2009 there were notable signs of or to enter the workforce. progress: The SACE Board recognises that cooperation • 12 521 South Australian students achieved the and collaboration between the Board, the school SACE in 2009, a 15-year high and an increase sectors, and the Minister are fundamental from 12 237 students in 2008 elements to achieving the best outcomes for • 17 692 South Australian students completed at students seeking to qualify for the SACE. This least one Stage 2 subject in 2009, compared important principle, enshrined in the SACE with 17 086 students in 2008 Board of South Australia Act 1983, has been • 4734 country students completed at least one incorporated into the SACE Board’s Strategic Stage 2 subject — an increase of 234 from the Plan: 2009–2011. As well as outlining the previous year Board’s strategic direction for the next three years, the Plan seeks to ensure transparency • 165 Aboriginal students were awarded the and monitoring of the Board’s progress. SACE, compared with 133 in 2008 — a record number that continued the steady increases In 2009, the SACE Board redeveloped of recent years.