Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

HOME ABOUT

News

Australia’s National CurriculumCategories: News

Australian National Curriculum

We all know Australia has finally decided on a National Curriculum and I, for one am grateful thedecision has been made. I remember a time when my nephew moved from Sydney to the GoldCoast late in the year and there was quite a debate about which grade level he should enter.Thankfully, we are now on par with the rest of the country.

But why haven’t we adopted a National Handwriting Font? It’s the perfect time to do so. Wecould save an awful lot of confusion and a tonne of money. Yes, that’s right… money. Imaginehow much less our text books might cost if the publisher could design and print one large run forthe entire country instead of small runs to suit the various fonts of each state. As things currentlystand, any one text book needs to be created in 5 different school fonts for our country. Graphicartists need to create 5 different books instead of 1. That’s a lot of additional time the consumerultimately pays for. (Yes, I am making the assumption that the savings would be passed on to theconsumer). Admittedly, I do not enjoy creating resources in each of the different fonts either but Ican see why teachers need them in the classroom. That’s why we do it. Indeed, I loved havingresources in my state’s font when I was in the classroom.

As a prac student, I remember learning to write in the style for my state and I remember thePrincipal telling us she’d never seen a teacher who could write perfectly in that style. At the timeI remember thinking it strange that they’d choose to teach a style of handwriting that nobodycould master. If 20 somethings weren’t managing it well, what hope did 5 year olds have?

So, what am I really asking here? Well, is any of it really necessary?

I can’t imagine the confusion students feel when their family chooses to move interstate only tobe introduced to foreign looking letters of the alphabet. The Victorian school font is vastlydifferent from New South Wales, for example. I introduced my daughters (who attend aQueensland school) to the Victorian Pre-Cursive letter ‘b’. The look on their faces was priceless!Even the guide lines are different. One state might use dotted thirds while another uses fourguidelines in different colours and we constantly try to avoid confusing our students. I’ll admit thatI have been known to get confused! There are so many variations! How on earth did we get herein the first place? From what I’ve seen, we’re the only country that has such variations.

Personally, I love Sassoon Font, not because it looks anything special but because there was a lotof research put into the development of the font. Students found it easier to read and write.That’s good enough for me. (I grew up in a house of Graphic Artists so I learnt to love fonts and Ilove to read about their development).

The point of the written message is that it can be read and ideas can be shared. Imagine being

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG

Get the latest via RSS | Email

Want to know my tweets?

Join me at Facebook

HELPFUL SITES

Seating Plan Creator

TAGS

Adobe Acrobat 2010 Adobe PDFReader Adobe Reader AustraliaAustralian Brisbane childrenlearning about money

Classroom gamesclassroom games in china create ourown dice for classroom gamescreative teacher discountDonate Donate Teaching Resourceseducational games email scamengaging in books First dayFlood Recovery fly swatgames Free teachingresource games games withchopsticks games with ping pong ballLearn About Money literacylessons with magazinesmathematics game maths

games National

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

I totally agree – what a fantastic idea!

KBellAug 2, 2011

Yes I totally agree! The current systemis mad!

PHemphillAug 2, 2011

I can only agree with your comments. Idid my teacher training in S.A. andnow teach in Qld. A vastly differentJunior Primary writing style had to belearned. I found it quite difficult andhave often wondered why we teach adifferent style in each state.

judy stephensonAug 2, 2011

I hadn’t considered this before, butnow that you have raised the issue, yesI agree. The other thing that would behandy is if out handwriting fonts werecompatible with those available in themajor word processing documents.Many times I have perfected adocument at home, in NSW foundationfont, and gone to print it a school -orindeed I have sent it to a colleague oreven tried to open it at a differentschool, and had it totally fail! I knowhow to install fonts onto computers,and these days carry a copy of thefonts on my thumb drive for such anevent, however many schools onlyallow their fonts to be “tampered with”by someone with an admin password(and we all know that they are hard tocome by).So I say yes, introduce a nationalhandwriting font AND align it with acommon word processing font so thatit is forevermore accessible to thosewho may need it ad hoc!

Comments236

Like

a student with learning difficulties whose family moves around the country regularly due to workcommitments. I’ve worked with families in the armed forces. The family is doing all they can,carting paperwork around the country and outlaying money for speech therapists, tutoring etconly to find that moving interstate is like traveling to a whole new country when it comes tohandwriting. It’s crazy! If we’re going to create a National Curriculum for all teachers to learn tofeel comfortable with, it only makes sense to me that the process comes complete with anational handwriting font.

Well, now you know what I think. It’s your turn – what do you think?

No related posts.

Spread The Love, Share Our Article

Curriculum NationalHandwriting Font Premier'sFund primary school QueenslandFloods RSPCA sight word splatSimple Classroom Games splat game

survey TeacherResources teaching

children about money teachingresources teach thisupdate adobe Victora Floods voucher

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

FelicityAug 2, 2011

I agree! It’s hard enough that eachstate has their own handwriting, butwhen you move schools within a state,they also have their own. I’m at a smallschool in WA and we are supposed touse the SA font! Talk about confusing!and what about all the resources wemade as Prac students using the VicCursive font we were told HAD to beused in schools!

ElleAug 2, 2011

I absolutely agree with a national font.I am a kindergarten teacher and haveworked in daycare (part time) for thepast 2 years. I have spent hours makingresources from your site and othersthat are worthy of use, and it is soconfusing the number of differentfonts. It isn’t rocket science, surelychildren need to all commence theireducation with a supposed levelplaying field and then diversify later inlife, as their needs and desires change.I too like sassoon font, it looks goodand if children can read and write itwith ease, then let’s use it nationwide.Great idea, should go hand in handwith new national curriculum and ELF.Thanks Cherry

Cherry SchischkaAug 2, 2011

Totally agree with you! Would love tosee us adopt a national font – thequestion will be which one?

T HoffrichterAug 2, 2011

I agree 100%. It is a ridiculous exerciseto maintain differentiation bewteen thestates when it obviously serves nopurpose for the education of ourchildren. If there was some justificationto retain any sort of state basedlearning, fair enough, but simply for thesake of “that’s how we’ve alwaysdone it” does not carry any weight.

Greg ShawAug 2, 2011

I agree…. along with a NationalCurriculum, there should be a NationalHandwriting Style, aswell as NationalRegistration – to allow us (like nursesare now) to work interstate withoutdifficulty or extra expenses. If weexpect our students to be at the samelevel, academically, then they shouldnot be disadvantaged with having tolearn a new style of handwriting shouldthey move interstate.

sonJaAug 2, 2011

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

I concur!

AnonAug 2, 2011

You are absolutely right! I spent the last28 years teaching junior school inVictoria. I have a range of books forhandwriting as the state constantlychanged their minds!! Whilst I dobelieve that exposure to a variety offonts is beneficial, it is very rare to seethe Victorian ‘b’ in any novel, picturestory book, newspaper or magazine.Same story with the ‘f’ that goes over 3lines and the ‘z’ with the tail. Let’s notmake things more complicated than itneeds to be. If students aren’t going tosee these fonts except in schoolhandwriting exercises and drills, let’seradicate them and have a nationalhandwriting style. I must add that moststudents in secondary schools print –after all that hard work (3 years atleast) of learning how to join letters!!

Jennie PattersonAug 2, 2011

Couldn’t agree more. It makes nosense whatsoever for each state to beteaching a different handwriting style. Ifail to see the point of this and it canonly cause great confusion for thosestudents who move between states afew time in their school life. Surely if an‘Australian’ curriculum has beendesigned to ensure all students are onthe same page, shouldn’t all studentsbe learning the same handwritingstyle?

Bernie HerronAug 2, 2011

Why are we still teaching cursivewriting at all? My students hate cursivewriting, they have difficulty readingcursive writing (as they only see it inthe classroom whiteboard) and theysee it as irrelevant. It is suppose to be afaster style of writing than printing but Iknow many who would disagree.Students only read printed text both inbooks and worksheets. They uselaptops, IPods etc at university lecturesto type notes now. Is it valid to spend50 minutes a week teaching theseskills? Could this time be better spenton all the tasks teachers are supposeto be teaching in our crowded days?

Kaaren SmithAug 2, 2011

I definitely agree with you and I thinkyou’ve covered all the pointscomprehensively! I think it may well besomething in the curriculum thathassimply being overlooked for it is notseen as a key learning area.

Good luck,I hope those in authority get the

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

message and take action.

Nadine HartleyAug 2, 2011

I definitely agree with you and I thinkyou’ve covered all the pointscomprehensively! I think it may well besomething in the curriculum that hassimply being overlooked for it is notseen as a key learning area.

Good luck,I hope those in authority get themessage and take action.

Nadine HartleyAug 2, 2011

The whole country needs tounderstand that there are alreadyindustry standards in fonts and havebeen for years. Graphic artists, Printersand signwriters all know this so doDaftspeople and Software writers sowhy do the Eduation Departmentshave to do such alien fonts breakingall the rules for letter formation. Yes wedo need a National Style ofhandwriting but it needs to be anindustry reconised one too using 3parts asender, body and decenderand the line thicknesses are a quarterof a square slightly thicker on eachside whilst top and bottom of curvesare always slightly thinner. soEducation Departments stop remakingthe wheel with a graphic artist be realand find something that small handscan form not only experienced hands.

FionaAug 2, 2011

I agree there needs to be a uniformfont. Having learnt the old fashioned“running writing” in my schooling, I thenlearnt the new script being taught inQLD. After moving to NSW I struggledto cope with the subtle variations andcompletely different teaching methodshere. I used to have lovely handwriting.It now is a cross between all styles,unless I am being really careful.(I must admit, I doubt any savings onlarger print lots would be passed on bypublishers. That would be too good tobe true.)

Mel MinterAug 2, 2011

I am not surprised that a nationalhandwriting wasn’t introduced. It ishardly a national curriculum anyway.People who move schools or interstatewill still face the same curriculumproblems. A Unit may have beentaught at their first school in term 1 butnot taught in another school till term 3.If you move you may still revisitpreviously taught concepts and missothers. So really if we are talking anational curriculum, let’s make sure itdoesn’t disadvantage any one in any

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

state. Including handwriting – printpreferrably as most high schoolstudents return to print.

JudyAug 2, 2011

Personally, I agree. What is holding thisback? Have the politicians andeducators said anything on thematter?

Stephen McCoskerAug 2, 2011

I’m a teacher at a special school inVictoria and grew up in NSW. My kidshave enough trouble reading andwriting in plain print what hope do theyhave learning to read and write in Viccursive when the letters look nothinglike they do in books. Let’s hope thenational curriculum addresses this issueteachers around the country cancome to a reasonable and inclusivecompromise.

Ben LindnerAug 2, 2011

Having grown up in SA, and trainedand worked in Qld, I hear what yousay, sisters! However, I think it is allimmaterial because, in my experience,by say Gr 5 – what semblence is thereto ANY of the state styles by any of thestudents (especially boys?). In Canadahowever, the system is different – thehandwriting is taught from Prep andexpected in EVERY subject. Whenstudents cannot manage it, the schoolOT comes in and provides exercisesetc to assist correct manipulation ofwriting tools, posture, the whole bit.Can you imagine handwriting EVERbeing such a priority in any of ourstates, let alone nationally? We wish!!

JacquilynAug 2, 2011

One thing I have noticed is the letter‘a’. In most children’s books it has theextra curved line on top of the letter,yet we expect our children to write theletter ‘a’ without this. But I agree on anational guideline with print writing forall grades. Why bother with cursivewriting? Print looks much neater andwe can read what is written!

HeatherAug 2, 2011

I agree, I grew up in the RAAF andmoved 16 times – my handwriting isunique! I am experiencing the sameproblems now with my children as wehave moved from NT to WA to NSWand my eldest son has developed thesame unique style as mine – a mishmash. Bring on a National HandwritingFont

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

DeannaAug 2, 2011

I find this idea interesting. As a NZteacher, we have a ‘guideline’ toteaching handwriting but noassociated font available at all. ManyNZ teachers use Comic Sans MS orCentury Gothic, because these lettershave the ‘correct’ a, but very fewfonts have the ‘correct’ k formation.Teaching junior pupils, I have alwaysbeen aware of the confusion that canbe caused by unfamiliar font types –I’d love to have a national font here!

Maree CAug 2, 2011

I totally agree, having trained in QLDand now reside and teach in NSW, itwould be a godsend!!! Bring on someconsistency.

VanessaAug 2, 2011

It is important to have a streamlineapproach so everyone gets an evenplaying field across the states. I havenot had personal experiences of otherStates font styles during my studies as Iwas taught in a New Zealand schoolsystem.

My practicums experiences requiredme re-adjust my writing skills to anotherfont style of writing such that ofQueensland.

It is a skill to be learned by Teacher’son top of other many skills required. Ican sympathise with families andteachers moving interstate and agreethat it can be a costly experience.

I agree 100% for the same font styleacross all States.

Oala

Oala ChapmanAug 2, 2011

Being a preschool on the border of vicand nsw I totally agree as we havechildren go to school in both states sowe are constantly challenged withwhich font to use, usually use both andtalk about the differences, which isused at which schools.

LizAug 2, 2011

It’s about time that we actually taughtwhat was best for our students, ratherthan designing new courses. It seemsto me that each time someone newcomes into a department, like dogs,they need to mark their territory andjustify their existence. Maybe we couldsave stacks of time, money and effort,by simply improving a lot of whatalready exists, rather than starting

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

again.Vera

VeraAug 2, 2011

Totally agree. Vic modern cursive isextremely difficult for student’s whostruggle. Bring on national font.

BarbAug , 2011

BarbAug 2, 2011

We came here from South Australiaand have our grandson in our care. Icouldn’t believe the different font Isuddenly had to master, on top of allthe other stuff. It is beyond me whythere needs to be a difference.

RosalieAug 2, 2011

I agree. I have also thought about thisand can’t believe how different eachstate’s curriculum is and evenhandwriting styles.

Teacher123Aug 2, 2011

Yes!!! One national font that is clean,clear, pragmatic and in commercialuse makes economic and social sense.We need to think and act insustainable ways so our energies canbe focused on important issues likeclean energy, recycling and reuse topromote sustainable environmentallyfutures. Ah the print industry andeducation department can improve alot here lets support and encourage it

CasperAug 2, 2011

I totally agree. One handwriting stylefor the whole country. Why haven’tthey thought of that???? I guess theremay be a political fight over whichfont style the nation would adopt.

Terri BAug 2, 2011

Yeah! A National font – But which one???

I am a bit of a ‘handwriting dictator’ inmy classroom, my students areconstantly being reminded to sitproperly, hold the pencil correctly andform their letters well.

Needless to say it is frustrating usingresources that don’t use the same fontand trying to explain to students whythere is a difference and why we haveto write using the ‘approved’ font.

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

I love being able to get my resourcesin the font that relates to our state andis consistent with what I am teaching inthe class.

HelenaAug 2, 2011

I am a ‘mature age’ pre-serviceteacher about to attend my first pracin an Early Years setting. I absolutelyagree with your recommendations fora standardised handwriting font thatwill make teaching handwriting, andthe transitioning of students across ourcountry, a great deal easier. I movedfrom Victoria to Queensland when Iwas younger and it is difficult toperfect another handwriting font, justto please a state curriculum. Now isthe perfect time to introduce astandard font…let’s hope the peopledesigning our new curriculum see it thisway too.

Kim BuryAug 2, 2011

What a great idea….makes so muchsense! I look forward to reading aboutanother one of your wonderful earlymorning thoughts!!! Petition?!

SuesanneAug 2, 2011

This very topic was in the discussion ata meeting today regarding texts fornext year. We need to standardise andnationalise all areas of the curriculumfor the sake of our sanity.

Jenni LeeAug 2, 2011

Great idea. Go for it.

Julia BAug 2, 2011

Totally agree and now would be themost opportune time to make thedecision about a standard font. Iwould also like to note that upperprimary – Years 5-6 in NSW get theopportunity to explore different stylesof handwriting /calligraphy so we stillwould still be able to expose studentsto different fonts/styles purely forenjoyment and perhaps presentationof “special”projects. Of course wordprocessing has this option too!

JennyAug 2, 2011

totally agree, queesnland font is sohard and I still cannot get my hands tomake it look as it should. Jolly phonicsuse the Sassoon font and it looks lovelyand flows. There should be a nationalfont as families travel these days it isbecoming important to focus on

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

learning and not spending hours tryingto prefect a writing font that changesas the children progress through theschool system.

Anne DAug 2, 2011

Totally agree! I am in a WA school andwe teach Victorian Modern Cursive…how strange!

ShereeAug 2, 2011

I think Sassoon would be great, Easy forthe children to write.They do adapt to reading and typingwith differrent fonts but Sassoon seemsto flow easily and is easy to read forthe beginner.Definitely would help with resourcesand interstate moves as well. Is it onthe agenda?

JeanAug 2, 2011

I am in total agreeance. I havebrought this up at our school beforebut not everyone agreed with printingas they do in NSW. There werearguments for learning to write in Viccursive so that there is an ease injoining letters together and writingquickly. I’m still not convinced this isnecessary for our future kids who arereading print and using technologymore than ever. We should definitelyhave a unified handwriting but which isthe better one to adopt?

Tracey UAug 2, 2011

I agree with having one font for thewhole country. Having come from theUK and embarked on teaching as asecond career in Aus, I was surprisedhow meticulous the topic is. The letter‘f’ for instance in the UK is taught to sitbelow the line (in my day) like theletter p, yet it makes sense to have itabove the line just like the typed ‘f’ is. Iam presuming that ‘f’ is written thesame all through Australia, I don’tknow, I have only come to learn aboutthe Queensland cursive. It is importantthat all students are taught the sameway where basics such as handwritingis concerned. Also I think that ratherthan just having rules for the sake ofthem, having handwriting that looksaesthetically appealing is important,even if it does not always stick to therules. Writing after all is all aboutensuring that we communicateeffectively- but maybe withtechnology as it is, it could be a dyingart form once these students leaveschool. Despite this having one fontwould certainly make it a lot easier foreveryone I am sure. Agreeing on whichone is the best for the country mightprove to be more difficult as many get

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

attached to the styles and forms theybecome used to.

ChristineAug 2, 2011

I agree wholeheartedly ! The idea of anational font makes great sense –something simple, basic, and easy toread and write so that it makes senseto all. This is especially important asmore and more people move soreadily from state to state. Surely it willonly enhance children’s confidence intheir own learning as they move acrossstate borders, not to mention making iteasier on those teachers who alsomake such a move.

DeniseAug 2, 2011

I have actually written to the nationalcurriculum organisers and they saidthey are considering it but no decisionhas been made yet. As a WA trainedteacher who is married to a RAAFmember, I am not looking forward tohaving to purchase/replace/throw outall my resources everytime we move.My understanding is that handwriting aguidline, not a requirement.

AshleyAug 2, 2011

The states cannot agree on somethingeconomically important like the widthof our state railway lines……….therefore it is highly optimistic to thinkthat we’d be able to agree on a font.

Janis CAug 2, 2011

Absolutely agree! …plus , even thoughit has been NSW Foundation styleforever for me , I am convinced theHandwriting versions with a slope anda join from the start are simply the best.Makes cursive writing so much easierfrom the word go!

Pamela EveringhamAug 2, 2011

I absolutely agree, a national fontwould make life a whole lot easier.Why teach a font that isn’t used inpublished storybooks, computer,information texts etc? None of thebooks in our school library have beentyped in Victorian Cursive, it’s seemsbizarre to have to teach it. Howconfusing it must be for our students. Iam all for a standardised font for allstates!

RachelAug 2, 2011

Totally agree.

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

Karen DAug 2, 2011

I agree, Handwriting is part of thecurriculum and so should be the sameacross the country.

KellieAug 2, 2011

I also agree. It would be so ridiculous ifwe have a national curriculum butdon’t also have this include a transitionto a national font. I guess the arguing isgoind to be about which one?

Zelka StarkAug 2, 2011

Well here’s one to set the ‘catamongst the pigeons’, one state in theUSA is considering not teachinghandwriting at all, only to teachchildren nhow to sign their name forofficial documents…Al.l very well I saybut what if the world is computerless,then we are going to have studentswho will be ‘virtually’ illiterate. Thehandwriting is not really a concern, mygripe is that all staes should have thesame starting age and this is not beingaddressed by the AustralianCurriculum!

Ros WilliamsAug 2, 2011

YES! YES! YES! and preferably a fontthat is relatively easy to master – wedon’t have time to devote to lengthyhandwriting lessons (and many nolonger see the relevance in our digitalage).Ditto comments re: fonts loaded ontoschool computers – so frustrating whenthe documents so carefully preparedat home come out in gobbledygook.

Helene

Helene BollerAug 2, 2011

Well here’s one to set the ‘catamongst the pigeons’, one state in theUSA is considering not teachinghandwriting at all, only to teachchildren how to sign their name forofficial documents…All very well I saybut what if the world is computerless,then we are going to have studentswho will be ‘virtually’ illiterate. Thehandwriting is not really a concern, mygripe is that all staes should have thesame starting age and this is not beingaddressed by the AustralianCurriculum!

Ros WilliamsAug 2, 2011

I whole heartedly agree, and was verydisappointed that the National

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

Curriculum didn’t include a nationalhandwriting style. That was one of thefirst things I looked for.

Lyn HartAug 2, 2011

Great idea! I was educated in NSW didmy initial teacher training there andhave since taunght in NSW, SA & Vic. Ihave of course developed my own‘style’ which most of my students havebeen able to read in any state. I’vealways wondered why students can’tbe taught the ‘script’ of publishedwriting ie what they see most often inthe texts we immerse them in.Tonia M Aug 3 2011

Tonia MizziAug 2, 2011

I think it is time we had a unified fontfor students handwriting. Lets cut theconfusion and keep it simple. Manyyears ago, when I was at high school, Ihad a friend move interstate from QLDto NSW in year 8. Even then her writingstyle was so at odds that manyteachers took quite a while to adjust.In terms of printing posters etc I have toadmit I have always been somewhatof a rebel. I firmly believe that studentsneed exposure to a variety oftypefaces. Rarely are readers in“foundation” and out in the real worldit can get pretty whacky sometimes.I like to use a variety of typefaces. Onmy smartboard I only use NSWfoundation font when I do handwritinglessons or write something myself.Otherwise give me Arial and comicsans.

Megan BlanchAug 2, 2011

Bring it on!!!!

AnonAug 2, 2011

I agree that there should be astandard handwriting font – havingtaught (and being registered to teach)in 5 Australian states, all with their ownhandwriting style, which may bedissimilar to standard print found inbooks and newspapers. Many of theprintable teaching resources arespecific to the handwriting font of thestate of production and are often nottransferrable. I usually use NSW printwhen I note take, but my children (asnoted by others associated with theRAAF) have developed various stylesfrom having attended schools bothoverseas (Malaysia – NSW and Vic)and in Australia.Margaret (currently teaching inVictoria, but trained in NSW / ACT)

MargaretAug 2, 2011

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

I agree, another point is by the timethey get to high school these days(and my daughter is in year 7 as thehigh school take them from year 7 nowat some schools) they are using acomputer 50% of the time and typingnot even handwriting as much and yesif there is handwritten work to do mydaughter tends to print.KarenWest Australia

NameAug 2, 2011

I agree. There is no point in having arange of fonts for the different states. Anational font makes sense. It should besimple, easy to form. and resemblecommon fonts used in publishing, signsand word processing. I would onlyqualify this by saying that children whohave learnt to write in the state fontshould be allowed to continue.

Colette JewellAug 2, 2011

I’m probably going to get shot for thisbut I’m not a big handwriting “nazi”(can I use that term) I write in mystates font on the board but I’m happyif my kids are writing – that’s what’simportant to me not if they are writingin Vic, NSW or QLD font but I do totallyagree that we should have some kindof national font to avoid confusionwhen moving from state to state.

Marni TelfordAug 2, 2011

I’m in total agreeance – and why notgo for national registration too!

NorahAug 2, 2011

Yes the idea of a national handwritingscript seems like a great idea –however who is willing to forgo all thatthey have already done in terms ofmaking current resources in their statescript and replace it with another. Whois to choose this national font? As aQueenslander I say lets all use the Qldfont – but I am sure teachers in otherstates would object. Perhaps now istoo soon to introduce this idea and ifchanged there needs to be greatconsultation with all parties involvedand experts in this field to get a scriptthat is suitable to all.

Irene ElderAug 2 2011

Irene ElderAug 2, 2011

When we were introduced to THRASSat the beginning of the year (a Qldschool) we were told that Sassoon

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

WAS going to be the national fontwhen ACARA comes in and we mightas well get a head-start and use it fromthat moment. I love it – the Qld fontwas hideous and the cursive had nological flow. Can’t wait for Sassoon! Myonly issue with it is the little flips at theend of each letter – it’s very hard forPreps to not make everything look likean umbrella handle

JulietAug 2, 2011

Definately the way it should go, but assomeone has already pointed out,how would you get the states to agreeon a common font?

Colleen HowarthAug 2, 2011

Totally agree! Having been educatedin NSW then taught in 3 other states it isa wonder my handwrititng is legible!My own children have been to schoolsin three different states and havegrumbled about having to changetheir writing styles on more than 1occassion.(especially when teacherswon’t recognise the difficulties facedby these children who moveinterstate). A nice basic foundationstyle would be perfect!

Frances Louise LaingAug 2, 2011

I agree 100% Teaching in a school innorthen NSW we have lots of childrenchanging states and this causes aproblem. Sasson would be a greatnational font as it is simple, easy to doand reduces confusion with letterssuch as b/d.A national script is a great idea!!

debbie woodsAug 2, 2011

I agree totally. I grew up and trainedin QLD and now live in the NT. We aresupposed to teach the VIC font –where, I’m sorry, but a ‘p’ and a ‘b’look nothing like it written anywhereelse OR on any type of computertechnology – especially a keyboard. Iteach in QLD font, as even though theletters are more square, they do looksomewhat like the letter intended –and all my resources are in QLD font aswell. Have not read all the aboveposts, but do agree with (and wonderwhy we haven’t done it sooner) aNational:standards, font, school age, teacherregistration, school holidays, and alsoadopt the Territory’s policy of paidstudy leave after 4 years of service! Weare not that big a country, surely wecan get it together to help the kids, asa lot of kids do move interstate andsuffer because of the differences inpolicies.

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

Sonya - NTAug 2, 2011

This is the most sensible idea I haveheard all year. It would be fantastic.

LynneAug 2, 2011

I don’t think it will happen and theteaching of handwriting as a separatesubject may well fade out as the yearsand new technologies go by. In 45years of teaching in NZ, NSW,Queensland, UK and Spain, I havealways been amazed by the fact thatyoung children who can read printscript sentences seem to have nodifficulty reading clearly written cursive,of whatever knd!

Bev HendersonAug 2, 2011

I agree – as long as it is Qld Cursive!!

BelindaAug 2, 2011

I totally agree. Having a different fontalso affects children who come fromoverseas who have to relearn adifferent handwriting font. Anotherthing I have noticed with my ownchildren is that they all had beautifulVic Modern Cursive handwriting inYear 3 but by Year 7 they had alldeveloped their own idiosyncratichandwriting style. I feel like we waste alot of time on handwriting lessons –time that could be better spent onother areas of the curriculum.

HeatherAug 2, 2011

I agree, there whould be one font forthe country. Imagine how great itwould be if our texts could cost less!

K. lambAug 2, 2011

I totally agree that one font makes somuch more sense.

MaryAug 2, 2011

I’ll go even further-if we are going tohave a National Curriculum how aboutNational Starting Age, ( I vote for 5 bythe end of the prev December)national name for the first year atschool (currently we haveKindergarten, Prep, Year One andTrannies in NT!!) and national PAY forteachers!!

RobynAug 2, 2011

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

Great to see someone is thinking!Standardising our handwriting is alogical and practical idea. As aSydney girl who trained as a primaryteacher in Victoria, I rememberpainstakingly practising Vic cursive athome and positioning myself in view ofthe flashcards on the wall before Imodelled a handwriting lesson to Prepstudents on my teaching rounds. I willnever forget the day I wrote a capital“I” with cross bars at the top andbottom, only to see the disgustedexpression of my mentor teacher atthe back of the room, shaking herhead, flapping her arms, signing at meto stop…”But I was copying theflashcards” I whispered meekly overthe heads of the preppies at my feet.“No!” she barked emphatically “Youare wrong, we do not do it like that.” Inever learned why there was adiscrepancy nor will I forget theawkwardness and confusion Iexperienced. If a National handwritingfont eliminates such moments frombeing repeated, then I am all for it.

Natasha, GippslandAug 2, 2011

We have heard up here in Qld fromsomebody who has been involved withcreating the National Curriculum thatthey have thought about and are inthe process of deciding on what thenational handwriting style will be. It is inthe cards so I guess we just have to bepatient and wait.

AnonAug 2, 2011

Message

Carmel WilsonAug 2, 2011

Okay ladies and gentlemen, to all ofyou that have had your say, where willyou go from here???? It is all vey wellfor this perc entage of of all youhaving your two cents say, but whatabout ALL the other teachers that donot have access to this site and arenot aware of this subject? by the way Iam in total agreement with all of youand I hate VMC, as of course I am inWA. so, where do we go from here????

SharonAug 2, 2011

I agree 100%, it is a fantastic idea!!!

L.RizkAug 2, 2011

How SENSIBLE!

A. CornishAug 2, 2011

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

NSW letter k sucks. Kids write it as an Rand no other font has the same style k.Confusing and stupid. I went to schooland uni in SA and now teach in NSWand my year 6 students were teachingme where to loop, what the f looks likewhen it links, etc. Funny handwritinglesson..

JacAug 2, 2011

I agree. Let’s make it easier for ourstudents to learn and understand. Imoved interstate from NSW to QLD andtherefore did year 6 and year 7 in thesame year, plus had to learn newhandwriting and even how maths wasdone. Kids have enough on theirplates in life. One curriculum, onehandwriting style will certainly moveAustralian students in the rightdirection.

Heidi SCAug 3, 2011

Victorian Modern Cursive. Hmm…well,it was never designed for 4 year olds towrite anyway. Sadly, we see itprescribed and used as the modelledfont in so many junior primary classes.My understanding is that it wasactually designed for children to writefrom the age of eight years and older.Please correct me if I am wrong.Therefore, my concern relates more towhat is developmentally appropriatefor Pre-k, Kindy, Pre primary, year 1andpossibly year 2. Schools in W.A havespent a fortune changing many of theirresources to accommodate this fontstyle. What a waste of precious timeand money -Just like having differentfonts for different states. Several O.T’s Ihave spoken with call it VictorianModern Curse!! Some childrenmanage this font. They are childrenwith very well developed fine motorcontrol and a strong ability to visuallydiscriminate. There has been articleswritten about which is the best font touse. There is a suggestion that thestraighter fonts eg. ball and stick typefonts are far better to use than anyitalic or cursive type fonts. Theargument is that a majority of the printthat children will reference at this age,when learning to write, is written in asimple font. How confusing andcomplex ‘ we’ make it for children tolearn. Writing the font is one thing,reading the font is another. Since theintroduction of V.M.C I have observedthat a majority of Kindy children takefar longer to recognise there name letalone write it. Adults fatigue muchsooner when reading large amounts ofcursive text because it is a known factthat it is harder to read…And guesswhat?.. this is why ‘they’ print amajority of texts/books, novels, signsetc. in simpler font types. It is notrocket science, though someone hasmade it just that!

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

JoyAug 11,2011

JoyAug 3, 2011

Excellent point. Well-made.Thank you.

RebeccaAug 3, 2011

Wow, I had never thought about itbefore, but to have a consistenthandwriting style throughout thecountry is a perfect idea. With achange to a National Curriculum, nowwould be an appropriate time for thisto happen.

Liz Bobbermien.

Elizabeth BobbermienAug 3, 2011

You would think that a National fontwould have been an obvious thing tothink about when designing a NationalCurriculum, but apparently not! I agreewith all your comments.

Anne J.Aug 3, 2011

I’m with you guys…SonJa has the right idea. Not onlyhandwriting nationwide butREGISTRATION too. The problems I wentthrough to move from Qld to NSW wasinfuriating.National curriculum across the boardfor me!!!!!anon

sueAug 3, 2011

Totally agree. It’s also easier forparents, I know that I spent all last yeartrying to remember to put thet loop ina K when I wrote my son’s name.

1 Curriculum, 1 handwriting style.

But I’ve been questioning this since myson started pre-school.

JudiAug 3, 2011

I totally agree with everyone. ANational Curriculum should not onlyinclude all KLAs but handwriting thattaught the same Australia wide wouldbenefit both students and teachers.

Cheryl QldAug 3, 2011

We use sasoon font at our schoolthrough THRASS, its fantastic, and doeseverything you say.

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

RenaeAug 3, 2011

Yep makes sense- now the ? is how dowe encourage this decison to bemade????

Kerrie JAug 3, 2011

You have earned 2 thumbs up!!Great suggestion, I am with you all theway!

SharonAug 3, 2011

I am 100% agreeable on this topic.National curriculum means all areas ofschooling for our kids. As a Mum whoteaches her kids through distanceeducation handwriting has been anissue that was annoying. Going fromQld to NT has been hard for my son tomake the change. The NT positionsthere letters on different lines than Qldand then some cursive letters are quitedifferent.We are one country so why not haveone style of handwriting.

Kachena CullenAug 3, 2011

What a fantastic idea – Victoriancursive is such a rubbish font and weneed to improve the quality ofhandwriting our children areproducing. If we all used a simplestraight basic font it would maketeacher’s and children’s lives so mucheasier. It would be closest to what theystart writing naturally and not somerediculous thing with tags and lettersthat don’t look like letters.

GayliaAug 3, 2011

Yes I totally agree. Living in aQueensland coastal town we enrolmany students from interstate andthere are always problems gettingthem to change their font. I find theQLD font very difficult for youngchildren and new teachers with all thewedges.

Lyn TAug 3, 2011

you are brilliant, we have all beenthinking this for ages, but now action isbeing taken. please also rememberspecial schools as some students aredual enrolled and we are part of thesystem too. thanks.

valAug 3, 2011

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

What a great idea. Anything thatmakes it easier for students/teachersmoving from state to state has to bebeneficial. If it also leads to lessexpensive resources to supporthandwriting, even better.

Joy RAug 3, 2011

I believe that just recently the majorityof American States are no longerrequired to teach cursive script atschools. Since there is little need towrite in cursive (application forms etc)and technology has replaced longhand notetaking. The focus is simply ona legible script, no requirements for aspecific font. Suggestions were putforward that students should study“fonts” as many here do in ICT – whichis appropriate for what type of textand situation.

Vanessa SimpsonAug 3, 2011

Yes super idea. We should have somesensible consisitency. I think though, itwould be good to look at the moderncursive approach now used across theUK. This teaches a very simple methodof ‘joining’ too!

A G8 ideaAug 3, 2011

Yes super idea. We should have moreconsistency. I think though, it would begood to look at the modern cursiveapproach now used across the UK. Thisteaches a very simple method of‘joining’ too!

A G8 ideaAug 3, 2011

I agree and have been saying this foryears. As teacher in the NT I get manyDefence children who move around alot. So last week they were in one statebeing told this is how you do a ‘b’ andthen this week they have moved to theNT and being told something else. howis this fair and making their learningconsistent?SusanAug 3, 2011

SusanAug 3, 2011

Yes I agree it can be very frustratingthe way it is at the moment

Julie BenhamAug 3, 2011

I currently teach Sasoon Font in myStage 1 class. I feel it leads verynaturally into cursive script. I can teachthis even thought the NSW standard isFoundation because I do it in

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

conjunction with the THRASS model. Iam comfortable with both scripts andam happy teaching either, but this isthe one we have agreed on to use asstaff. It seems very comforatble andnatural for the kids also.

Jen MelvilleAug 3, 2011

Coming from teaching in the UK, anynew font was going to be challengingto adopt. However teaching in Year 3and getting new students fromdifferent states and trying to teachthem to write differently, is an up hillclimb. If we had a national font, thiswould be one less ‘personalisedlearning’ target we need to worryabout.

NickiAug 3, 2011

I totally agree!!!!!! I absolutely hate itwhen a new student comes to tassieand I have to explain to them wedon’t write like that (it is hard to ‘re-train’ grade 5/6s it is unrealistic) – andwhen you are grading them onhandwriting they recieve poor marksbecause they don’t write ‘our’ way…the parents hate it.

AlishaAug 3, 2011

I do agree with a National font tomake the transition from state to stateeasier but so many children prefer toprint these days. My own high schoolchild prints instead of writing cursive. Isometimes question why we need toteach ‘joined up writing’ as so manystudents change to what they preferby high school. How many years will ittake for them to just type on keyboardsand make the pencil/pen a thing ofthe past? Another thing…. how manytexts in everyday life do we read incursive? None, unless you are astudent in year 3 to 12 at school? Andthat is only the case if the teacher ismodelling correct handwritingtechniques and formation. Books,newspapers, computers all deliver theirtext in PRINT!

Shandell GammonAug 3, 2011

OK, everyone seems to agree. So howdo we progress this idea with thepowers that be?

Sam DevineAug 3, 2011

I totally agree. In WA we use VictorianModern Cursive to teach writing.However, students from Year 3 areoften encouraged to simplify their f, k,q, r, v, w, x and z letters and to closetheir b and p letter formations. Having

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

a national writing font would be idealfor all students and for consistencyacross Australia.

I am a big fan of your NSW font –straight forward, uncluttered, modernand very easy to write and read.

Behind you 100%.

JillyAug 4, 2011

i was only discussing the same thingthe other day with a colleague – don’tknow how to find out what ishappening in regard to this issue. In ourdiscussion we spoke about the needfor it to be implemented over anumber of years beginning withkindergarten or the early grades so asnot to confuse older students whohave just coming to terms with the stylethey are learning. I learned italics andhave not used it since except to showstudents how silly it was. The onlydisappointment will be when all theresources we have made / bought arenot usable including those from you

kayAug 4, 2011

I agree. Mind you I attended anational curriculum seminar / workshopin Canberra in the early 90′s and moststates had to agree to disagree thenso here we are again. Sounds morepositive this time so let’s hope eachstate doesn’t adapt as they are proneto do. Handwriting has always been aproblem.Tassie’s isn’t too bad but thekids have problems with the r and tbeing too similar and hard to perfect.In an idael world we could fine oneand just get on with it.Robyn Aug 3 2011

robyn smedleyAug 4, 2011

Couldn’t agree more. I also am withKaaren Smith (August 2) for theabolishment of cursive writing. I find itso difficult to read any of my studentscursive writing and let’s face it – howmany books are printed in cursivewriting? Exactly, none at all. So whyare we making our children learn it?

Katrina FramptonAug 4, 2011

What a very sensible idea! I haveheard that Sassoon font is the onerumored to be the National font. Cananyone substantiate this? We can onlyhope that someone passes on all thesepledges of support for a National fontto the ACARA leaders and they havethe wisdom to make a decision pronto.

Margie Macd.Aug 4, 2011

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

I also agree. As a teacher I havechanged my handwriting 4 times to suitvarious bureaucratic whims. TheNational Curriculum should besupported by a standard handwritingstyle that will allow a reasonable printrun for copy books. Australia has asmall population compared to otherplaces and the cost of duplicating 6 or7 different handwriting styles isconsiderable. The same argument canbe leveled at t states and territoriesduplicating documents. If we have anational curriculum why does eachstate and territory have all thosepeople duplicating curriculum. Manyyears ago I was told that between 20and 30 percent of the educationbudget was eaten up by this unseenpart of administration. Imagine thedifference it would make if classnumbers in each room in Australiawere cut by 20 to 30%.

Elva BarjasicAug 4, 2011

I agree. It would make things a loteasier for everyone.

StefAug 4, 2011

I also agree that we should have onefont for all states and now is the timeto make it happen!

SimoneAug 4, 2011

I agree totally, Students with learningdifficulties have a hard enough timewithout adding to the load. Bring onNational writing font.

LouAug 4, 2011

I totally agree with a national font andwe should also have a national startingage as well.I know that I have saved so muchmoney and gained some fabulousresources thanks to this website, Idiscovered it whilst still at uni and havetold everyone about it with mostjoining up.Thank goodness you include thevarious fonts for us.

SharronAug 4, 2011

I totally agree that we should haveone national handwriting as well. Itcertainly is difficult enough for studentsto cope with changes from one schoolto another as well as state and then tocope with a change to their writing isanother dilemma no matter what age.It definitely would make life easier forstudents but may be not for teachers iftheir handwriting style was not the oneadopted.Oh well it would be just

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

another thing that teachers wouldhave to fit into their time but if it is tobenefit our students I say “Yes”.

KayAug 5, 2011

I agree we really need a NationalIdentity it would be nice to say that’sthe Australian way not just that statesway.

TracyWA

TracyAug 6, 2011

Completely agree! Having everythingstreamlined across the country wouldmake interstate teaching and learningsooooo much easier!

SarahAug 6, 2011

I totally agree. I assumed a ‘NationalCurriculum’ would include a ‘National’font. How silly am I!Vicki VYear 1 Teacher NSW

Vicki VAug 6, 2011

I agree with you. It will be so mucheasier for all staff and students and asyou so it will save money. Great2.00am ponderings. Keep it up, we sooften meander along doing thingsbecause they’ve always been donewithout questioning the common senseof the situation.

HelenAug 6, 2011

Totally agree, having lived in WA all mylife, I am comfortable with the roundedflowing style of print which is so natural,now studying and working in QLD it hasa more boxed style which is really hardto master, the children I teach find theroundness of letters much easier thanthe box style. Which style would be theprefered choice if it was to be madenational. The thoughts should go to themore natural style for children, life ishard enough lets keep somethingsimple for them to learn.

Tania LuxfordAug 7, 2011

Bravo!! I so agree with this. Australia isa big (vast) country but as a nation(population group) we are not big andyet we have all these handwritingstyles. I never understood it and I havebeen saying/ thinking along your lineof argument for years. So let’s sendthese messages to ACARA since theyset the overarching guidelines. But we

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

must also send these thoughts to eachMinister of Education since ACARA hasproduced a set of guidelines thatallows for differing interpretations perstate. I attended a conference aboutthe Science draft syllabus and therepresentative explained that TheNational Curriculum is the model onwhich NSW then has to write theirsyllabusfor each KLA. Not all Stateshave this situation. So, YES let’s end thiscraziness, but let’s get all thestakeholders, who make the decisions,talking . Otherwise it will be just a greatidea.

marianne, Yr 2, NSWAug 7, 2011

I agree and have talked about thiswith much gusto for years. Especiallyafter a stint teaching in Queensland.Have you considered that publishersmake a lot of money out of thedifferent fonts. The cost is to us aspurchasers. I actually think that theentire curriculum and theaccompanying docs should beNationalised as well. We should get alobby going for this . Facebook. Lettersto the various State Governments andfederal Ministers. Peter Garret may beon board/??

Elaine ColemanAug 7, 2011

I can only be another voice of supportto all the comments. I went through 3different styles as a student, then learnta fourth one as a teacher. I gave upcursive in late high school as it wasappalling to read and slow to do. Overtime my print style became smoother –the letters joined when they needed tojoin and I didn’t need to think about it.

Seeing so many teachers commentabout their desire for a national fontI’m surprised that the latest I’d heardfrom ACARA was that they didn’t wantto dictate a style. Perhaps it’s just afew small-minded people at the stategovernment level getting their nosesout of joint instead.

DaveAug 12, 2011

From what I have read above andpeople I have spoken to about thisissue it is “unanimous” that a NATIONALFONT for writing is needed.

MargaretAug 12, 2011

Yes Yes Yes. I am an Ed Assist who hasworked in NSW and WA. The frustrationI see on the kids faces when they aretrying to learn the WA font is clear. Ihave also seen Pre Prim kids learningthe font one way only to be made todo it in a different way in year 1 withinthe same school – now thats

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

confusing!!!. Where do we start ingetting the ball rolling for a nationalfont to be used?

KimAug 22, 2011

I totally agree with needing a nationalhandwriting font! I am a Year 2teacher at a school in a ‘remote’location in Western Australia. We areclose to local mines and as theemployment of the mines flucuates, sodo our enrollments.Each new child I receive in my classhas been taught a differenthandwriting style in earlier years, andso we spend a substantial amount oftime ‘retraining’ students. These newstudents come from interstate, but alsowithin WA- showing that even withinWA we have differing handwritingfonts. As some students leave due toemployment reasons, more studentsarrive and we begin the handwritingprocess again!

KateSep 28, 2011

interesting read.personally i would gofor uniformity in all kla s andhandwriting format.

jaspreetNov 25, 2011

Since we all agree that we shouldhave a national handwriting font –How do we get the “Powers that be”to do something about it ?

KARENDec 19, 2011

Add a Comment

Required

Will not be published. Required

Australia’s National Curriculum | Teach This Staffroom

http://staffroom.teachthis.com.au/?p=151[15/08/13 6:47:06 PM]

My Latest Tweet

No public Twitter messages.

Recent Comments

tabata on Unpacking the Australian Curriculum

Emily on Adobe PDF Reader email scam

Katie on Australian National Handwriting Style

Kapri on Australian National Handwriting Style

About Us

Copyright © 2013 Teach This Staffroom. Visit our website