Message from Chief Executive

Dear Colleague,

It is nearing the end of term 1 already and there is so much to report.

Firstly, a big congratulations to the SACE Class of 2023 and the educators and support staff who were part of their learning journeys. And of course, good luck to the Class of 2024. I can’t wait to hear all about their collective and individual successes in the months and years to come.

The SACE Board has been busy the past few months preparing our 2024-27 Strategic Plan. Our key priorities over the next four years will include subject renewal, recognition of other learning, and quality assurance. 

It is an exciting time and before sharing more on where we would like to head, I would first like to reflect on the achievements and the opportunities observed across the past four years, which had the Board’s vision of the Thriving Learner at its heart.

Our three key projects for 2020-23 were introducing two new flagship subjects: Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) and Activating Identities and Futures (AIF), the Capabilities and Learner Profile, and Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning. All schools were invited through the SACE Change Network to participate in piloting and testing policy development through these three projects.

We saw good progress towards the Thriving Learner goals, including the establishment of new relationships with educators and stakeholders, innovative co-design approaches, and a focus on student agency and Aboriginal student belonging.

We also observed gaps in our communication and engagement among pilot and non-pilot schools; a desire for more professional learning support for educators; the need to strengthen connections with subject communities, and improving responsiveness to operational inquiries.

The SACE Board is committed to continuing to progress these goals and responding to these observations in our 2024-27 Strategic Plan. We will strive to improve communication and engagement practices with key stakeholders, strengthen partnerships, build a shared sense of purpose, and raise community awareness of our direction for Thriving Learners.

Over the next four years, we will continue to prioritise the Thriving Learner through a number of initiatives, including the continuation of the Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning and Capabilities and Learner Profile pilot programs.

Learning from the revitalisation of the Personal Learning Plan and Research Project, our comprehensive subject renewal initiative will involve co-designing subjects with teachers and students, to further develop content, assessment and student capabilities. Curriculum Forums will be held for all subjects commencing in term 2 and subject renewal ‘action groups’ will be formed to guide the co-design and draw on emergent learning from leaders, teachers and students in the field. Further information is included below.

We look forward to sharing our 2024-27 vision with you in full in the coming weeks.

All the best for the rest of term 1 and beyond.

Regards,

Michaela Bensley
Chief Executive
SACE Board of South Australia

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Curriculum Forums

Over the last 3 years, we have been shaping education so students thrive through the Capabilities and Learner Profile, and Recognition and Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning pilots, and the new Stage 1 Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) and Stage 2 Activating Identities and Futures (AIF) subjects.

Working together with schools we tested different approaches to teaching and learning and discovered the most impactful strategies from their experience on the ground. What emerged was the value of capabilities, students’ active role in their own learning and how they showcase what they know and can do.

Across term 2 we will engage with subject communities through Stage 2 curriculum forums.  These forums will provide the opportunity for teachers to re-engage with their subject communities, share in professional conversation, and clarify performance standards.

Teachers will also have the opportunity to discuss the current curriculum, reflect on impactful strategies for thriving learners and consider how the subject might be improved in the short and the longer term.

The three-hour subject-specific face-to-face forums commence 6 May. Please use the following link for further information and to register your attendance.

Registrations close 5 days prior to each workshop.

NOTE: The NT Department of Education Curriculum, Pedagogy & Assessment 7-12 team will communicate directly with Northern Territory schools about Curriculum Forums. 

NOTE: We are currently planning online sessions for some subjects to cater for teachers who are unable attend face-to-face. We will communicate directly with schools when these become available.

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EIF and AIF update

Stage 1 Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) implementation 2024

In response to the rapidly changing local and global context that our students are living and learning in, EIF supports students to learn more about themselves and explore their aspirations and future.

2024 is the year for implementation across South Australia and for many students the start of their SACE journey.

To support teachers with implementation we have provided planning forums for Teaching and Learning Leaders and teachers and provided resources on the EIF section of our website.

Schools would have received updated information about the moderation process, please contact our askSACE team if you require more detail. The EIF project team will continue to monitor the progress of EIF implementation and provide additional online forums and resources if and when they are required throughout 2024.

For schools transitioning to EIF, 2024 is the final year for the Personal Learning Plan.

Stage 2 Activating Identities and Futures (AIF) implementation 2025

AIF is for students to explore ideas related to an area of personal interest through a process of self-directed inquiry. We are excited to have EIF and AIF as complementary subjects available for students in 2025.

Implementation support will commence in term 2 with Teaching and Learning Leader Planning Forums online followed by term 3 face-to-face and online Educator Planning Forums. Forum bookings and resources will be communicated directly to schools as they become available.

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 NT Department of Education Curriculum, Pedagogy & Assessment 7-12 team will communicate directly with Northern Territory schools about EIF and AIF implementation.

For all other queries, please contact the askSACE team on (08) 8115 4700 or via email.

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Capabilities and Learner Profile project update

The SACE Board’s Capabilities & Learner Profile project explores the implications associated with the recognition of capabilities alongside academic achievement (grades) to provide a more holistic view of students’ achievements. The Learner Profile will provide a demonstration of students' capabilities that showcases their achievements following 13 years of schooling and enable them to make better decisions about their post-school pathways that match with potential employers and further education providers.

We are excited to continue our work with schools and pathways partners in 2024 with a third pilot of the Capabilities and Learner Profile. To support the consolidation of learning from the pilots so far, the 2024 pilot will be contained to current pilot schools only.

Updated resources that highlight key learnings from pilot 2, including the evaluation summary, additional stories documenting the experiences of pilot schools, and our directions for pilot 3 are now available on our website.

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Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning project update

The SACE Board is committed to Aboriginal students having their cultural knowledge and learning recognised as part of their SACE completion. The Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning initiative celebrates the richness and value of Aboriginal culture, and the SACE certificate values Aboriginal ways of knowing and being.

At the end of 2023, 28 students received credits for their cultural knowledge and learning as part of the second pilot of the Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning project. We encourage you to view this fantastic story by the ABC featuring six students at Maningrida college in the heart of Arnhem Land who graduated at the end of 2023.

Pilot 2 has been extended into 2024, working in partnership with 15 schools across South Australia and the Northern Territory. The pilot extension provides time to:

• Engage students commencing their SACE
• Build knowledge of the community led and student-directed recognition pathways
• Foster the relationship between cultural authorities and schools

We will continue provide updates, information and resources to the broader school community as we continue to grow our learning, thanks to the stewardship of our Aboriginal Allyship, and the support of Aboriginal communities and participating pilot schools.

For further information visit the SACE website.

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Subject support

To support teachers with their subjects, Stage 2 Subject Assessment Advice for all subjects have been included on our website in each subject area. These resources provide useful information about the strengths and areas for improvement that our markers and moderators saw at the end of 2023 and how teachers might better support students to approach their learning in 2024.

As the Stage 2 Curriculum Forums are running, 2024 PLATO courses with new materials will be made available throughout term 2 and communicated directly to schools.

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SACE Coordinator Information Sessions

Over the past several weeks, the SACE Board team have travelled all over the state, to Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Hallett Cove, the city and the Barossa hosting SACE Coordinator Information Sessions. Sessions were also held with SACE International schools and incorporated into the Northern Territory leaders day. Designed to provide important operational information for semester 1, these sessions also provided an opportunity to connect with the SACE Board and each other.

We have received consistent positive feedback about the shift to face-to-face engagement, with attendees enjoying the opportunity to connect, network and share learnings. Of most interest to attendees was the return of curriculum forums to address subject renewal and clarifying activities.

With the success and enthusiasm demonstrated, the SACE Board plan to host another round of sessions in semester 2.

As always, our askSACE team are here to provide support and respond to any inquiries you may have. Please contact askSACE@sa.gov.au or call (08) 8115 4700.

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SACE Art Show final days

The creative talents of 130 art and design students from across South Australia is being exhibited at the 2024 SACE Art Show.

The SACE Art Show is one of the largest secondary school art and design exhibitions in the state, showcasing works selected from last year’s class of more than 1,350 Stage 2 SACE Visual Art and Design students. The works selected include a broad range of oil and acrylic paintings, drawings, sculpture, garment design, brand and architectural design projects, and digital designs.

School groups and members of the general public are invited to visit the exhibition in person or online and vote for their favourite work. Awards are also offered by the following sponsors and will be presented at the closing event on 12 April and published on the SACE website:

• Community Awards including first prize, runner up prize and teacher prize. Voters are also entered into a draw to win a Community Voter prize
• Minister for Human Services Poster Award
• Minister for Human Services Regional Encouragement Awards (2)
• Flinders University Award
• Australian Education Union Award
• Eckersley’s Art and Craft Encouragement Award
• Independent Education Union Award
• Adelaide Central School of Art Award

Exhibition details
19 March - 12 April
9 am - 4 pm Monday to Friday
10 am - 3 pm Saturdays (excludes public holidays)
Light Square Gallery, Adelaide College of the Arts
39 Light Square, Adelaide 5000 SA

For more information on the SACE Art Show, and to view the online gallery, visit the SACE website.

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Merit Ceremony

High-achieving students from the Class of 2023 were celebrated at the 35th Merit Ceremony held at Government House in February 2024. The two-day ceremony recognised the academic success of 1,120 students who collectively achieved 1,337 subject merits, as well as 40 Governor of South Australia Commendation winners, and three Tennyson Medal recipients.

Ellie Foulkes from Marryatville High School took to the stage to respond on behalf of the Class of 2023.
“As unique individuals with varying values and interests, studying in various places across the state, we all had contrasting, impactful experiences whilst completing our SACE.

I would like to thank SACE for allowing us to make of Year 12 what we needed, and to have these contrasting experiences that not only allowed us to explore our passions and strengths, but directed and prepared us as young people for our many evolving future careers.”

Further information about the Merit Ceremony, photos from the event and videos of the presentations can be found on the SACE website.

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SACE International update

SACE International Professional Learning and Support program
Our 2024 Professional Learning & Support program supports the professional development of teachers and leaders within SACE International schools. Tailored to deepen expertise, our programs promote the collective contributions of educators towards enhancing the SACE program.

Full details of program are available on the SACE International website.

Please note current and upcoming sessions below.

Subject Support Sessions

Audience: SACE teachers
When: 18 March – 23 April, various times available
Mode: Online via Zoom

During these 90-minute sessions you’ll connect with a subject matter expert to focus on critical aspects and strategies for success in your subject area.

Regional Face to Face Professional Learning Workshop – Vietnam

Focus: Designing for Success
Audience: SACE teachers and academic leaders
When: 24 – 26 April
Mode: Face to Face
Where: Scotch Australian Grammar School – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

This three-day face-to-face hands-on teacher training workshop offers an important opportunity to develop your understanding of teaching the SACE.

Update: Marketing toolkit for SACE International schools
Designed to support schools with recruitment and to enhance your promotional activities, the Marketing toolkit for SACE International schools is currently hosted in Kiteworks and will be migrated to the SACE International website later this year. SACE International schools can access the Marketing Toolkit in Kiteworks using the log in details emailed directly to your school.

SACE International welcome video
SACE Board Chief Executive Michaela Bensley welcomes students to the SACE program in this new video resource available for schools to share with their new students. The video is in English and available with Chinese and Vietnamese subtitles.

Download the video from the SACE International website.

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