Central Coast Council of P&Cs (CCCPC) applauded a move which will see every public primary school in the region receive a dedicated Curriculum Assistant Principal as the NSW Government continues to focus on lifting student results.
Every public primary school in the state will receive one of the literacy and numeracy experts as part of a $256M investment.
Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell, said the more than 1,300 new positions will strengthen a continuous focus on literacy and numeracy and support curriculum implementation with the new K-2 English and Mathematics syllabuses rolling out from 2022.
“The NSW Government is committed to the highest quality of education in our public schools and improving literacy and numeracy in the early years is key to this,” Mitchell said.
The initiative is a core part of the new School Success Model, which ensures evidence-based teaching and best practice are implemented across the system and support is targeted.
“We are building a world class curriculum and these new positions will support teachers to deliver it in the best way possible.”
The new positions have an explicit focus on leading schools with evidence-based teaching and assessments to improve student outcomes.
The leadership roles will support a strong instructional leadership model in all schools, coordinating professional learning for teachers, monitoring student outcomes, and supporting families to be key partners in student learning.
The new program will begin from 2022, with all positions in place ahead of full implementation of the new K-2 English and Mathematics Syllabuses in 2023.
CCCPC spokesperson, Sharryn Brownlee, congratulated the government on being proactive.
“We assume some of the small schools will share staff, as often happens now with resources and activities, so parents of children in those schools should not be concerned,” Brownlee said.
“Parents, carers and students are really feeling the pressure of home schooling during this further extended lockdown, and many are worried their children are falling behind.
“Knowing there will be extra skilled staff in schools to offer support is very reassuring and helps parents be confident students will be able to catch up and have the support needed to ensure children benefit from the exciting changes ahead.”
Terry Collins