Parties

The State of New South Wales, Australia, as represented by its Department of Education ("the department")

and

The Goethe-Institut Australia ("the Goethe-lnstitut")

Introduction

The department and the Goethe-lnstitut, recognising the importance of supporting the teaching and learning of German in NSW government schools, have developed this Memorandum of Understanding ("Memorandum"). The department and the Goethe-lnstitut intend to work collaboratively and individually in their support to achieve its objectives.

General objectives

Through this Memorandum, the parties will promote their cooperation, collaboration, effective communication and the reciprocal facilitation of their objectives. It builds on the existing strengths and collaborative activities of the two organisations and establishes a framework for that collaboration.

The Memorandum is not intended to create binding legal obligations on either party. The relationship between the parties is one of cooperation and mutual support.

Neither is a licensee, agent, partner or joint ventures of or with the other.

1. Specific objectives

• 1.1 Both parties will support the implementation of German language and cultural programs in NSW public schools with a specific focus on the provision of professional learning to support the delivery of high quality teaching.
• 1.2 Both parties will explore a range of opportunities for future collaboration, included professional learning registered with the Quality Teaching Council.
• 1.3 Both parties agree to:
  • a. identify opportunities for greater alignment and improved efficiency and effectiveness across existing programs in order to strengthen learning pathways for German from Kindergarten to Year 12;
  • b. explore opportunities for a program of short-term exchange, where Australian teachers of German would have opportunities to visit Germany and German teachers and teaching assistants would be placed in schools in NSW;
  • c. explore the provision of online courses and digital resources to increase the study of German in NSW schools.

2. The department's role

The department, within the limits of available resources, will support the teaching and learning of German in NSW by providing:

• 2.1 professional learning and curriculum resources for teachers of German;
• 2.2 curriculum and policy advice relating to German;
• 2.3 collegial advice and support for the Goethe-lnstitut's teachers' service team
• 2.4 support for NSW students studying German from Kindergarten to Year 12;
• 2.5 an area on a departmental website for the dissemination of information on the teaching and learning of German, including information from the Goethe-Institut;
• 2.6 advertisement and promotion of scholarship opportunities for teachers;
• 2.7 support for languages teacher networks, including teachers of German;
• 2.8 innovative approaches to languages delivery and support, to build regional capacity for languages provision.

3. The Goethe-lnstitut's role

The Goethe-lnstitut, within the limits of available resources, will support the teaching and learning of German in NSW by providing:

• 3.1 support for educational improvement initiatives related to curriculum development and implementation, second language acquisition, bilingual education, exchange programs, as well as any other collaborative efforts established under this Memorandum;
• 3.2 support for teacher professional development, visits to schools and advisory services to the teachers of German in NSW by providing:
  • a. a teachers' service team at the Goethe-lnstitut;
  • b. inservice programs, state conferences and seminars in methodology and socio-cultural studies;
  • c. professional development opportunities on a national level through events such as national conferences and annual summer schools;
  • d. scholarships for methodology and regional studies seminars in Germany to support language maintenance;
  • e. dissemination of professional knowledge and experience via German teacher networks;
  • f. initiatives such as the train-the-trainer professional development facilitators program targeted support
  • g. support for the NSW German teachers' network.

4. Duration, revision and termination of the Memorandum

• 4.1 The Memorandum will commence on the date of signature by the last party and will operate until 31 December 2021.
• 4.2 The Memorandum may be renewed at the end of its term, by agreement.
• 4.3 The parties may revise and vary the terms of this Memorandum, at any time during its operation. Any variation must be in writing and signed by both parties.
• 4.4 This Memorandum may be terminated by one party giving to the other thirty (30) days' notice in writing.

5. Correspondence

• 5.1 All correspondence for the department in relation to this Memorandum should be directed to the Director, Secondary Education, Learning and Teaching Directorate, NSW Department of Education, Locked Bag 53, Darlinghurst 1300 NSW.
• 5.2 All correspondence for the Goethe-lnstitut in relation to this Memorandum should be directed to the Head of Language Department, Goethe-lnstitut Australien, Melbourne, 448 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Vic 3004.

6. Further agreements

This Memorandum signifies the department's and the Goethe-lnstitut's commitment to work together. The specific details of each project or activity arising out of this Memorandum will be the subject of separate agreements between the two organisations, or parts of the organisations, as appropriate.

7. Other agreements and relationships

Subject to any other agreements or relationships not adversely affecting the development and delivery of collaborative projects, nothing in this Memorandum precludes a relationship between either organisation and any other party, between the two organisations jointly and any other party, or requires that either organisation approves or endorses any other relationship.

8. Confidentiality

Both parties agree that information exchanged between the parties under this Memorandum shall be treated as strictly confidential by the receiving party and shall not be divulged under any circumstances to a third party without the written consent of the originator.

Any termination of this Memorandum does not negate the obligation of the parties with respect to the protection or use of information received prior to termination of the Memorandum. These obligations shall continue for a period of three (3) years from termination of the Memorandum.

9. Dispute resolution

The parties to this Memorandum expressly agree to endeavour in good faith to settle any dispute.

Signed by the parties on:

11 May 2017

Signed for and on behalf of the State of NSW by its Department of Education by:

Lila Mularczyk

Director, Secondary Education

Learning and Teaching Directorate

Date: 11 May 2017

In the presence of:

Elisabeth Robertson

Coordinator, Languages and Culture, Learning and Teaching Directorate

Signed for and on behalf of the Goethe-Institut Australia by:

[Name of third party removed]

Head of Language Department, Australia

Date: 11/05/17

In the presence of:

[Name of third party removed]

Head of Educational Services, Sydney