1. Circular 0071/2004 of November 2004 and Curriculum Development Minute 0023/2005 of March 2005 have reference.
2. The Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) will be implemented in Grade 7 in 2006. Training courses for Grade 7 teachers at public and independent schools will be offered in each EMDC from 11 to 15 July during the school holidays.
3. You are reminded of the following:
  • The programme is tailored to meet the needs of Grade 7 teachers who have not attended WCED RNCS training before.

  • Only teachers who have confirmed attendance through prior registration are expected to attend. (This procedure was necessary for planning purposes.)

  • Due to budgetary constraints only tea will be provided. Participants are requested to bring a packed lunch.

  • Transport claims by WCED paid educators must be completed in full at the workshop.

  • Participants are requested to bring the documentation indicated in paragraph 5, as well as a pen and notepaper.

  • Principals are reminded that, because there is a focus on planning, it is beneficial for teachers from the same school to attend the same training venue.

4. Certificates of attendance will be issued in due course to teachers who:
  • provide proof of their Persal numbers (WCED employees) or their ID numbers (SGB employees), e.g. by bringing a photocopy of a salary slip or an ID document.

  • are present for the full duration of the course and sign the daily register of attendance.

5. In order to achieve maximum benefit from this workshop, teachers are earnestly requested to read through the following documents:
  • the Overview of the Revised National Curriculum Statement (Policy)

  • the Learning Area Statement (Policy) for the learning programme that they will be developing; and

  • the Teacher’s Guide for the Development of Learning Programmes for the learning programme that they will be developing.

Teachers should bring these documents to the July course, as well as the following:

  • the WCED’s specific learning area Resource Material: “Unpacking” Document and Tables for Planning for the learning programme that they will be developing. These documents were given out by the EMDCs at afternoon workshops during the second term – except for EMDC East where they will be supplied at the July course;

  • the WCED’s Senior Phase Learning Programme Exemplar for the learning programme that they will be developing;

  • their copy of the ELRC file (supplied to each teacher); and

  • their copy of the WCED’s Inclusive Curriculum Resource File (supplied to each school).

For quick reference purposes, a copy of the covers of these documents is provided in Annexure A.

6. Principals are encouraged to conduct a staff workshop before the July course to orientate teachers to the RNCS. The attached PowerPoint presentation (Annexure B) may be used – in printed, OHP slide or electronic format.
7. During the July course each teacher will work on developing a learning programme, a work schedule, and sample lesson plans with assessment tasks for a chosen learning area. Principals are requested to arrange that each teacher from their school joins a different learning area group for the planning sessions at the course.
8. After the July course, each school’s planning for 2006 for all eight learning areas will continue. A short session will be held during the course where teachers can arrange cluster groups to help each other to complete the planning. The principal is requested to set aside time for these groups to meet during the 3rd term. This could be arranged at a staff meeting very early in the 3rd term where the agenda could include the following:
  • the RNCS planning task for Gr 7

  • a planning audit - what planning was done at the course, what planning is still needed

  • cluster groups arranged with other schools

  • the way forward (allocation of planning tasks and dates for completion, resources needed, how the SMT will assure the quality of the planning and spread major assessment tasks, how parents will be informed)

9. All schools are required to complete learning programmes and work schedules for all eight learning areas by 16 September 2005. The checklist in Annexure C can be used to assist in the development of quality plans. The principal will play a leading role in managing this curriculum task so that the plans match the context of the school. EMDCs will offer follow-up support where necessary. Schools are advised to notify their EMDC’s Chief Curriculum Adviser timeously of any specific needs.
10. After 16 September, the EMDCs will call for completed plans from a random selection of schools for quality assurance purposes. Schools will be asked to provide the WCED with an indication of their preparedness to implement the RNCS in Grade 7 in 2006. The EMDCs will notify schools in advance if they will be required to submit their planning.
11. Successful implementation of the RNCS in Grade 7 in 2006 depends on many factors, the most important of which are the teachers. The July orientation course has been designed to help teachers to plan learning and assessment that matches the context of their own classrooms. The Grade 7 teachers who attend are urged to come prepared to make full use of this opportunity.


SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2005:06:02

Annexure A: Covers  (size: 68 KB)
Annexure B: Powerpoint Presentation  (size: 145 KB)  (or  save the "zip" version  for later use - size 55 KB)
Annexure C: Checklist  (size: 15 KB)