No more clowning around Will circus lessons get the ‘curriculum cut’?
CIRCUS lessons were singled out by the NSW Premier as an elective subject that should be scrapped when the State Government overhauls the school curriculum.
But the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) couldn’t confirm whether or not Dubbo’s long-standing Circus West, which runs a two-year elective course for students in Year 9 and 10 at Delroy Campus, will be collateral damage in the reform.
Dubbo Photo News pressed NESA for clarification on whether lessons in circus skills would remain as an elective subject, and whether Circus West, which is in its 29th year, would be affected.
“The NSW Government is undertaking the first full curriculum reform in 30 years,” a NESA spokesperson told Dubbo Photo
“This starts with a commitment to reduce the number of elective courses by 20 per cent by 2021.
“This will allow schools to focus on depth rather than breadth when it comes to teaching and learning.”
The revamp comes after a twoyear review by Professor Geoff
THERE’S been an outpouring of emotion from friends, colleagues and the broader Dubbo public education community following the sad news former Dubbo South High School principal John Summers passed away on June 16. Mr Summers was principal at the school for the decade 1989 to 1999.
He’d emigrated from England and began work in NSW’S education department in the early 1960s as an English and history teacher.
Former Dubbo High School principal Jim Carey said Mr Summers was a great friend and colleague.
“John was a great intellect, a true mate. I am absolutely shattered,”
Masters, with the aim of decluttering the current education program and going “back to basics.”
Gladys Berejiklian said the new curriculum would raise standards and equip students for jobs of the future.
“Literacy and numeracy will remain the focus throughout a student’s school experience,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are investing record Mr Carey said, emphasising the positive effect his good mate had on education throughout the Dubbo community.
“John was an innovative principal who championed the introduction of vertical integration for students, a strong advocate for students to work at their ability level and encouraged them to accelerate their learning.
“I also recall during John’s term as principal, his team of staff led Dubbo South to their first victory in the 1991 University Shield, a prestigious statewide rugby league competition – this is a feather in his cap, and a level of achievement that was not repeated until 2011,” Mr Carey said.
After his retirement Mr Summers remained active among the amounts into education and the results need to match this. We need to make a change if we want NSW to improve by global standards.”
She also told the Daily Telegraph that “lessons in circus skills, puppetry and wearable art should not be done during school hours.”
Local mother Shona Coleman is against the State Government’s community as a member of Rotary and a lecturer for the University of the Third Age.
Robin Higgins worked with John Summers at Dubbo South High School and recalls the positive influence he radiated during his appointment.
“John was a highly respected man, he held great command, was proud of his school and encouraged all to achieve,” she said.
“He will long be remembered by the staff, students and wider school community.”
Current Dubbo College South Campus principal Linda Macleod said Mr Summers was fondly remembered in the school as a great principal and school leader.
“Our thoughts go out to his family at this time,” she said. decision to remove creative subjects from school.
“I think these subjects help kids broaden their minds and also help with calmer, fun experiences,” she said.
“School is so important to children of all ages but if we just put English, Maths etcetera in the teaching methods, then that is when children become bored and lack concentration.
“I know if my boys didn’t have PDHPE and Sports, then I would struggle a lot to get them to achieve at school.”
Tasha O’donnell took circus classes herself when she went to school and would love her children to do the same.
“I know when I took them in high school it was amazing; they helped build confidence,” she said.
“I do place a high value on numeracy and literacy but at the end of the day some children struggle, and those extra subjects give them a place to relax and succeed in something that isn’t all about tests and scores.
“Taking them away is a bad idea through and through.”
The changes are expected to be fully implemented by 2024.
John Summers’ passing has been met with sadness from former work colleagues and students.