Web Content Display (Global)
The Standard | Term 4 2023
On this page
Message from Chief Executive
Dear Colleague,
Firstly, I’d like to recognise the continued dedication of your teachers and support staff in managing the final submissions of student work and ensuring that your students are well supported not only for the following weeks, but for the path they chose to take next.
We look forward to the end of the academic year and the opportunity to recognise and celebrate student achievement with the release of SACE results on Monday 18 December.
In terms of resulting activity, we are now well underway with our key end-of-year processes, none of which would be possible without the contribution, commitment, and expertise of educators and leaders from across the system.
Our commitment to working together in partnership to provide the best learning outcomes for young people studying the SACE will continue into 2024. The introduction of Exploring Identities and Futures across South Australia and the implementation of Activating Identities and Futures, mark significant milestones in our strategic priority to shape education so that students Thrive.
Speaking of our strategic work, in the new year, I look forward to sharing with you the student successes achieved and insights gained through the second pilot programs for Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning and Capabilities and Learner Profile.
On behalf of everyone at the SACE Board, I wish you and your school community a successful end to 2023 and a well-deserved summer break.
All the best
Michaela Bensley
Chief Executive
SACE Board of South Australia
E-exams
Since 2018 we’ve delivered e-exams to students across South Australia, Northern Territory and Asia. Our shared commitment to ensuring students can demonstrate their learning in the e-exam setting remains strong as we undertake e-exams this year.
For 2023, the security settings for the SACE Exam Browser (SEB) have been raised to the highest setting, and additional testing has continued to verify that known generative AI tools including Grammarly and ChatGPT are blocked in e-exam settings. For sites utilising the Breach Prevention Tool for Japanese (Continuers), additional device settings have been advised.
This year we have strengthened our partnership with SACE Coordinators and ICT Managers through online information sessions and site visits. This has enabled us to provide clear communication and best practice across the system in relation to lessons learned during the practice window and the continued emergence of generative AI tools.
In light of the recent Optus outage, we have instigated a dedicated IT helpline to provide reassurance to schools during the delivery of e-exams.
Please phone 0429 026 825 or 0436 487 228, 8 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday. Please note that this dedicated line will remain operational for the duration of the 2023 exam period, closing 4 pm Friday 17 November.
In the event that these phone are busy, phone askSACE on +61 8 8115 4700.
Thank you for working in close partnership with the SACE Board and for the preparations you’ve put in place at your school site. Your expertise is vital in troubleshooting and local technical challenges.
We remind you that SACE Board expertise is your primary source to guide you through any issues associated with the Secure Exam Browser software (SEB) during the delivery of e-exams.
As with every year, we prepare for exam days together. If something unforeseen does occur, students have our support to ensure they are not disadvantaged by factors outside of their control.
Thank you for supporting e-exam delivery at your school site. We look forward to a successful outcome for all students.
If you have any questions or queries, please contact the askSACE team on +61 8 8115 4700 or via email.
EIF implementation in 2024
Professional learning to support the implementation of EIF in South Australia commenced on 23 June with excellent attendance and positive feedback.
So far, we have delivered:
- 9 Information Sessions with 196 educators representing 102 schools
- 14 Educator Workshops with 342 educators representing 171 schools
Participants walked away from these sessions with the confidence to plan and teach this new, flexible subject in a way that works for their school and for their students. EIF gives students the space and opportunity to extend their thinking beyond what they want to do and consider who they want to be in the future.
Due to high demand, we have added additional Educator Workshops in week 0, 2024. These sessions are open to all schools, particularly teachers who have been appointed to new sites over the holiday break. We are excited to continue supporting you and your students in implementing EIF in your sites. Implementation professional learning will continue to be delivered throughout 2024 with a focus on facilitating peer-to-peer learning.
Upcoming professional learning sessions
- EIF Educator Workshops
- 20 November, Education Development Centre, Hindmarsh (final session for 2023)
- 22 January 2024, Barossa Weintal Hotel, Tanunda
- 23 January 2024, Cove Civic Centre, Hallett Cove
- EIF (Modified) Educator Workshops
- 24 November, Education Development Centre, Hindmarsh
- 5 December, online
Please visit our Preparing for Exploring Identities and Futures page for further information and bookings.
Schools, teachers, and students who piloted EIF during its creation across 2022 and 2023 have told us:
- there were more opportunities for students to explore the things that matter to them
- students’ learning shifted from passive to active
- relationships between students and teachers strengthened
- students transferred their learning to other subjects
- students were challenged to take control of their learning
We encourage you to also access additional resources on our website:
- access the subject outline in the EIF section of our website
- watch stories we captured from pilot teachers, students and school leaders
- review the implementation roadmap for EIF and AIF
- access the FAQs
Please note that 2024 will be the final year the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) can be offered.
Notes for Northern Territory and SACE International schools.
The SACE Board will liaise with SACE International schools to consider implementation plans and transition timelines.
The Northern Territory Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment 7-12 team will communicate directly with Northern Territory schools about EIF implementation.
For all other queries, please contact the askSACE team on +61 8 8115 4700 or via email.
AIF implementation in 2025
Activating Identities and Futures (AIF) is a subject that helps students develop agency, learn when they’re not being taught and to know what to do when they don’t know what to do.
We are pleased to confirm that AIF will be implemented across South Australia for teaching from 2025. This will allow schools to focus on implementing Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) and enable this first cohort of EIF students to continue into AIF in 2025. Schools that piloted AIF in 2023 can offer AIF in 2024.
This means that Research Project (RP) will be offered for the final time in 2025.
Schools, teachers, and students who piloted AIF during its creation across 2022 and 2023 have told us:
- students were challenged to take control of their learning
- the learning was deeper, more authentic, and better reflected the volume of work required for a 10-credit subject
- students developed their capabilities, and increased their levels of agency and self-awareness so they are more prepared for their future pathways.
Professional learning to support implementation will commence at the start of 2024.This will include providing the subject outline, support materials and professional learning, including:
- Information Sessions that provide faculty leaders and curriculum coordinators with a high-level overview of the subject and operational considerations for implementation.
- Educator Workshops offering a deep dive into the subject for future teachers, exploring the subject outline, the subject's intent, and the pedagogical approaches that will support their students to thrive in the subject.
We will provide further details and open session bookings in term 1, 2024.
We encourage you to:
- watch stories we captured from pilot teachers, students and school leaders
- note the implementation roadmap for EIF and AIF
Our sincerest gratitude for the generosity of our SACE Change Network schools for helping us to test the subject, the foundational pedagogical approaches, the assessment, and the quality assurance procedures.
Notes for Northern Territory and SACE International schools.
The SACE Board will liaise with SACE international schools to consider implementation plans and transition timelines.
The Northern Territory Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment 7-12 team will communicate directly with Northern Territory schools about AIF implementation.
For all other queries, please contact the askSACE team on +61 8 8115 4700 or via email.
Capabilities & Learner Profile project update
The SACE Board’s Capabilities & Learner Profile project explores the recognition of capabilities alongside academic achievement to provide a more holistic view of students’ achievements. In partnership with SACE Change Network schools, we are making positive progress on the journey to explore how we might develop and recognise more of what young people know and can do.
Throughout pilot 2, we have been excited to partner with 42 schools and more than 1,200 students. School leaders and teachers have participated in SACE Board facilitated workshop sessions to provide guidance and insight into a range of topics including:
- a deep exploration of the capabilities
- capturing existing opportunities for the development of capabilities
- quality assurance of capabilities judgments
- how to enter student capability data using online tools
- sharing schools' experiences of introducing capabilities at the school level
Pilot 2 also saw a focus on students’ perspectives and experiences in the recognition and valuing of their capabilities. To lead our work on student voice, the SACE Board’s partnership with Learning Creates Australia has employed Vinnie and Georgia, two recent SACE students with stakeholder engagement expertise. Vinnie and Georgia are collating pilot students' feedback and sharing with pilot participants to contribute to future directions.
Pilot 2 concludes at the end of term 4 with a learning event involving teachers, leaders and project partners. Pilot evaluation, learnings, and insights will then be shared with all schools and inform further development and next steps.
Visit the Innovating the SACE section of our website to learn more about the program, including stories we captured from participating teachers, students, and school leaders during pilot 1.
Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning project update
The Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning project is committed to fulfilling the learning entitlement of Aboriginal students and is a core component of our Thrive strategic vision.
Our pilot program is working in partnership with schools to co-design an inclusive learning framework to formally recognise Aboriginal students’ cultural knowledge and learning and have it count towards the achievement of their SACE qualification.
The SACE Board is working with 16 schools across SA and NT in pilot 2 through semester 2, 2023. So far pilot activities have included:
- 4 'Knowledge Network' sessions with 3 separate community of practice groups involving teachers, school leaders, Cultural Authorities and Aboriginal Secondary Education Transition Officers, to support understanding of the pilot, share experiences and learn from each other
- 2 student focus groups to inform the co-design of student and community information resources
The Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning pilot is exploring 2 pathways for Aboriginal students:
- Community-led model: Recognises activities where students learn directly from people in their community. Assessment is made by community, with verification and recognition by the school in partnership with the SACE Board.
- Student-led model: Recognises activities where students direct their own learning in an area of personal interest. Assessment is undertaken by the school and recognised as part of their SACE.
Pilot activities in schools conclude at the end of term 4, with a learning event with pilot participants in term 1 next year. Pilot evaluation, learnings, and insights will then be shared with all schools and inform further development and next steps.
Visit the Innovating the SACE section of our website to learn more about the program, including stories we captured from participating teachers, students and school leaders during pilot 1.
2024 subject adjustments
Over the past three years, we have worked together in responsive ways to uphold our promise to students and their entitlement to a SACE. Following positive feedback from schools, the SACE Board has approved the continuation of subject adjustments for 2024. The subject adjustments are designed to maximise the flexibility for curriculum and assessment decisions to be made earlier in the year and in response to local and emerging needs.
Most subject amendments will remain as they were for 2023. In the cases of Design, Technology and Engineering, and Outdoor Education, the adjustments for 2023 will not be available in 2024 and teachers should refer to the subject outline.
Schools are encouraged to use the adjustments from the beginning of Term 1 to maximise the flexibility in curriculum and assessment.
More information and a full summary of subject adjustments can be found on the SACE website.
SACE International update
SACE CE visits Gateway College Colombo, Sri Lanka
SACE Chief Executive Michaela Bensley, along with SACE International Director Matt Taverner recently represented the SACE Board at the invitation of Gateway College Colombo for their recent Annual Awards day.
Held at the prestigious Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall the annual event celebrates Gateway College Colombo student achievement from primary to secondary years, whilst also recognising the distinguished service of the Gateway College teaching team. This year for the first time, awards were presented to the highest achieving SACE students.
The commencement of the SACE at Gateway College Colombo in 2023 also marked the first ever offering of an Australian senior secondary certificate in Sri Lanka. There are currently 25 Australian higher education providers operating in Sri Lanka. Australia is the most popular overseas destination for Sri Lankan students.
As Chief Guest, Michaela addressed the auditorium, congratulated students, and recognised the important role of teachers and parents in inspiring and supporting student achievements.
During the week Michaela and Matt had the opportunity to meet and present to current and prospective students and parents of Gateway College and visited the Negombo campus. They also met with the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr Paul Stephens, and the Principal Advisor to the Sri Lankan Minister of Education, Professor Gunapala Nanayakkara.
The SACE Board wishes to thank Dr Harsha Alles (Chairman) and Mrs Dinali Alles (Director) and all the Gateway staff and students for their warm welcome and kind hospitality during the visit.
Marketing toolkit for SACE International schools
We're excited to announce that the SACE Board is hard at work on a comprehensive online marketing toolkit to support your school in effectively explaining the SACE program to parents, students, and other audiences. This toolkit is set to be completed in January 2024 and will equip you with various materials and resources to enhance your promotional efforts.
The first two items are now available in the toolkit:
Message framework
Our message framework provides a set of key messages based on the unique features and benefits of the SACE program. These messages are designed to differentiate the SACE from competitors and simplify your marketing efforts. They aim to:
- explain the SACE program clearly and concisely
- highlight the strengths of the SACE program
- address the needs of key audiences
- communicate the academic and personal advantages that SACE can offer students
The primary objective of these messages is to generate inquiries, inspire confidence in the program, and drive student enrolments. We've crafted them in a way that parents and students can easily understand.
Sales script
Our sales script template is a valuable tool for face-to-face conversations with prospective parents and students. It provides a structured framework to guide your discussions, ensuring you cover all the essential points about the SACE program.
Stay tuned!
Over the next few months, we will be adding to the marketing toolkit including brand guidelines, images, videos, flyers, brochures, and more. We're committed to providing you with the resources you need to effectively promote the SACE program.
We will unveil the complete toolkit in January 2024.
Explore the message framework and sales script [PDF 3.5MB].
New SACE recognised programs for SACE International schools
In September a webinar was held for SACE International schools to learn more about a new program developed through a partnership between the Adelaide 36ers, a professional men's basketball team in the Australian National Basketball League & XVenture that works with athletes and businesses to create high-performing individuals and winning minds.
SACE Stage 1 accredited - Certificate in Emotional Agility, Resilience & Leadership (EARL)
This is a new 60-hour program delivered as a blend of classroom, virtual and outdoor-based sessions. The program aims to equip young people with emotional intelligence, resilience and leadership skills, which are important life skills for greater success throughout their life. Students also get a rare insight into what’s involved in an elite sports organisation.
If you are interested in learning more, email rwait@adelaide36ers.com
SACE Stage 1 and 2 accredited HEX Innovation Program
HEX is an Australian-based EdTech company focused on building future skills capabilities. HEX High Accelerator is an award-winning and internationally-recognised program designed for students to gain high-demand skills, connect with supportive peers, access mentors from leading companies and receive formal academic credentials recognised at many universities across Australia.
If you are interested in learning more, email nathan@startwithhex.com
Coming soon: 2024 professional learning calendar
Following the positive feedback and success of professional learning workshops in Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, SACE International will be offering further sessions in 2024.
Further details and dates will be shared before the end of the year.