NSW Greens Education spokesperson Adjunct Professor Tamara Smith MP is calling on the Minister for Education to scrap draft changes to HSC Dance, Drama, and Music and go back to the drawing
board.

Ms Smith said “The Greens back teachers as the experts and stakeholders when it comes to
designing curriculum. The draft changes to the HSC Music, Drama, and Dance syllabi put forward by
the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) appear to be all about cutting costs
and very little to do with student outcomes."

"As a former Dance and Drama teacher in NSW secondary schools, and as a senior dance marker
for many years I can vouch for the value and significance of external assessors for major works. When
you have a former professional dancer, actor, or industry expert assessing a student's piece the
feedback is immeasurable for student growth and improvement, and it sets a high standard of
success across the state knowing all major works are being similarly appraised by independently
qualified experts in their field."

"Assessment for learning is the cornerstone of pedagogy in NSW and gaining a sense of the
standard of your performance work by having independent assessment is vital for learning in HSC
Performing Arts subjects. It's the equivalent of having a qualified plumber assess a student hydrology
project setting an industry benchmark for success."

"I've had a lot of teachers, academics, and performers reach out to say how dismayed they are that
professionally assessed performances and options to submit non-digital major works are being cut
under the proposed changes."

“There are valid concerns around changes to the scope of Individual projects in HSC Drama that limit
submissions to digital. When did Drama become limited to digital works or videos of live
performances!? Anyone in theatre can attest that limiting performance and stagecraft submissions
to a digital format is flattening the magic of performance. It also means that students who lack access
to the best software and technology needed to create and present their work in a digital format are
disadvantaged.”

“The 2024 Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education and Training in NSW’s inquiry clearly
presented an overwhelming argument for greater focus on group and practical performance
opportunities for students enrolled in performing arts courses.”