<p>
Hello English teachers</p><p>The discussions about the national curriculum that have been taking
place haven't been in this public forum but have been occurring amongst teachers in many other
ways: at the VATE Coordinators' Conference in March, attended by 120 faculty heads; at VCAA forums
attended by numerous teachers around the state, including English teachers who have had the
opportunity to discuss the details in groups and to provide substantial feedback on the draft; at
the VATE Salon this week, attended in person and via remote participation by scores of VATE
members; and at various ACARA forums where the voices of Victorian English teachers have been
strong and influential. I also know that there has been considerable discussion in schools amongst
faculty groups, many of whom are contributing their ideas via the various avenues that exist for
feedback. They have busy lives in schools yet teachers do engage in these consultation
processes.</p><p>VATE will be holding other forums early in May, in partnership with VCAA, and
details about these will be available as soon as they are organised. </p><p>In the meantime, the
VATE website will shortly have a podcast of this week's Salon available, as well as some templates
to facilitate faculty discussions, in case these may be of assistance. </p><p>VATE Council is
preparing a detailed response to the draft, which will be informed by all the feedback that our
members have provided through the various channels over the consultation period. It will be posted
on the VATE website once it has been finalised. </p><p>On behalf of VATE Council I also urge
individual teachers and school groups to go to the ACARA website and to submit feedback on any
aspect of the curriculum - one does not have to complete the whole survey and can focus on very
specific items if so desired. </p><p>If anyone would like assistance with any aspect of the
consultation please don't hesitate to contact us at VATE.</p><p>with best
wishes</p><p>Debbie</p><p><br /><br />Debbie de Laps<br />Executive Officer<br />The Victorian
Association for the Teaching of English<br />Carringbush Business Centre<br />1/134 Cambridge
St<br />Collingwood, 3066<br />tel: 9411 8500<br />www.vate.org.au<br /><br />> Colleagues,<br
/>> <br />> I'm surprised there hasn't been more discussion of the national<br />>
curriculum English draft. The feedback deadine is 23 May.<br />> <br />> Is this because
everyone is happy with it and we're all falling in<br />> line, or perhaps are so concerned
that words fail us?<br />> <br />> I know that various forums have and are being held (by
VATE and ALEA<br />> etc). Has anyone been along to these? What has been the tenor of<br />>
conversation?<br />> <br />> I plan on submitting my own response, as I'm sure most of us
will, but<br />> I'm interested to hear your views and collective wisdom.<br />> <br />>
Cheers<br />> --<br />> Scott<br />> <br />>
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