Kia ora koutou. Haere mai to the NCEA and External Moderation Update.
Amongst the terrible weather events and surging Covid-19 cases over winter, it is gratifying that we have been able to celebrate the return of in-person secondary school music events and competitions. How exciting to see the Big Sing Finale featuring in recent TV news items, and to have been able to attend the finals of the NZCT Chamber Music Competition in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Other competitions such as the KBB Music Festival, Southern Jam Jazz Festival, SFRQ, Tangata Beats can all go ahead without fear of cancellations. School calendars can include productions again and classes are back in classrooms.
I hope assessment is as normal and successful as possible for you and your ākonga for the rest of the year.
REVIEW OF ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS
The NCEA Review of Achievement Standards (RAS) for Music has seen the mini-pilot schools complete 1.1 (internal, music concepts), 1.2 (external, music contexts) during the first half of the year. They are currently working towards completing 1.2 (internal, performance) and 1.3 (external, composition).
Trialling the standards allows the Ministry of Education and NZQA to better understand how the draft standards and assessment materials work in a classroom setting.
Remember that this year the piloting process is on a small scale, and it will not be until the end of 2023 that the standards and wrap-around support materials will be fully fit for purpose.
It is very much a case of ‘watch this space’ and keep doing what you’re already doing, providing engaging and ākonga-focused programmes.
EXTERNAL MODERATION
Over the last couple of months digital submissions have been proving more difficult to access. Please do not forget to make your permission settings for Google Drive links set to “anyone with the link can view.”
ONLINE ASSESSOR COURSES
These can be accessed using your Education Sector Logon on our Pūtake website.
The new Making Assessor Judgements course for 91425 Level 3 Research is now live for teachers to enroll in.
There is also a free short course for all teachers focused on ‘Culturally Responsive Assessment’.
Visit nzqa.govt.nz/online-support to learn more.
Hei kōnā mai, Delysse Glynn, NAM
DELYSSE GLYNN
BIO: Delysse Glynn, National Assessment Moderator for NCEA Music. I’ve been in the role for 10 years and over that time have led a very consistent team of contractors, who like you, are secondary school music teachers. Recently, the team increased from 5 to 13. This is to prepare for the increased workload that RAS will create. It is a privilege to work alongside these highly experienced teachers and hear first-hand the peaks and troughs of music teaching. As a community-minded individual I’m involved in the Auckland Bagpipe band scene as a drummer in the City of Auckland Pipe Band and perform regularly with a wonderful group of musicians at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph, Auckland. Like all community music groups, we’ve struggled through Covid-19 restrictions and mandates. It’s made me realise how important these groups are for my mental, physical, and social well-being. At least my other hobby, learning Italian, could be held on Zoom!