Teaching in country schools can require specialised support, often due to the remote location or number of students and staff at the school.

There are resources, programs and other initiatives available to support you to focus on what you do best – working with each student.

Curriculum resources

The department supports country teachers to effectively teach the 3 dimensional Australian Curriculum. We develop high-quality curriculum resources, adapted for the South Australian context.

The resources provide:

• evidence informed teaching, learning and assessment advice
• guidance on how to adapt, when to adopt and where to draw inspiration from when developing their classroom programs and lessons.

Department staff can access curriculum resources and find out more at curriculum resources overview (staff login required) on our intranet (EDi).

Quality music education in country schools

Music education resources and mentoring

Mentoring and professional learning is available from 4 dedicated Music Education Network Field Officers. The field officers regularly visit country schools and preschools to provide in-person support in-person and remote assistance. They’ve supported schools and preschools in the Yorke Peninsula, Port Pirie, Upper Mid-North, South-East and the Riverland.

Read more about how music field officers can support your school or preschool (PDF 86 KB) .

The resources and mentoring aim to upskill educators across metropolitan and country South Australia, which is a key focus of the Music Education Strategy 2019 to 2029.

Annual professional development packages

Government classroom teachers, preschool educators and leaders can also apply for annual Professional Development packages. These are delivered in partnership with 3 leading music associations, ASME, Kodaly and OSASA.

In addition to the release time provided, country schools and preschools receive a further subsidy to encourage participation and help cover travel costs for regional participants.

New department music education curriculum resources and units of work are also available via the department’s intranet site. Staff access is required. Email education.musicstrategy@sa.gov.au to find out more about Charanga resources or accessing mentoring.

Quality Music Education Framework

The South Australian Quality Music Education Framework (PDF 2 MB) outlines how schools can create a world-class music education learning experience.

The framework focuses on achieving and growing 5 qualities:

• value
• access
• continuum
• connections
• achievement.

Read the framework to find out more.

Music Innovation Fund

The Music Innovation Fund provides financial grants to country and metropolitan government schools and preschools, as well as music organisations and creative industries.

Schools and preschools can use the grant to invest in innovative and promising practices, partnerships and programs that create and sustain quality music.

Find out how to apply for the fund at Music Education Strategy and Music Innovation Fund.

Aboriginal education resource for leaders

The Aboriginal learner achievement leaders’ resource helps leaders in country and metropolitan schools raise literacy and numeracy achievements for all Aboriginal learners.

The resource is based on 6 elements:

• data-informed planning
• tracking and monitoring growth and achievement
• assuring consistent, high-quality classroom practice
• applying rigorous, evidence-based learning interventions
• engaging families as partners in literacy and numeracy learning
• promoting the continuity of learning.

The resource gives schools guiding questions for each element to help you plan and create specific actions.

The resource was developed under the Aboriginal Education Strategy, which is focused on empowering Aboriginal students as proud and confident learners.

Department staff can access the Aboriginal learner achievement leaders’ resource (staff login required) on our intranet (EDi).

Remote and Rural Schools Mathematics Program

The Remote and Rural Schools Mathematics Program delivers workshops to students and teachers in remote and rural country schools. The program also provides personalised professional learning in mathematics, designed by teachers for teachers.

The professional learning includes:

• workshops
• teacher observation
• lesson planning
• demonstration lessons.

Topics that can be discussed are:

• big ideas in number
• place value
• partitioning
• Concrete Representational Abstract (CRA)
• multiplicative thinking
• algebraic thinking
• fractions
• problem solving and reasoning
• ACARA version 9 update and its implications
• using materials in sequence to effectively teach a unit of Algebra for middle years students
• writing of open-ended tasks for investigations
• maths anxiety
• differentiation
• engagement and productive struggle
• concepts versus procedures
• pedagogy
• appropriate terminology
• teacher noticing
• whole of school review of topics
• strands travelling from reception through to year 10.

Grant funding was provided to the Mathematical Association of South Australia to deliver the program.

Contact the Mathematical Association of South Australia for more information about how to get involved.

Open Access College

If your school doesn’t offer particular subjects, your students can access them through Open Access College’s distance and online education. This option makes sure your students don’t miss out on studying the subjects that are important for their future.

Open Access College is for students from reception to year 12. Students can enrol part time, regardless of if they’re at a government, Catholic or independent school.

Open Access College is now offering SACE Indonesian and Chinese Beginners courses online.

Visit Open Access College to find out more.