 Hi, I'm Darren Taylor, the Senior Project Officer for the Humanities and Social Sciences at Akara. I'm going to talk briefly about the Australian curriculum history with a focus on ANZAC Day as an illustration of the important learning it describes. The curriculum places Australia in its World History context by integrating the Australian experience with what was happening on the broader world scene. This reflects the importance of students understanding their own and others' histories, appreciating our traditions and how they have changed, all within an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. The curriculum focuses on the use of evidence to reconstruct the past, recognising that the past is open to interpretation and debate, and enables students to explore the significance of events and developments in our history. ANZAC Day captures the imagination of the entire nation on the 25th of April each year. What is probably less well known is what schools across the country are learning about the significance of the ANZAC tradition through the Australian curriculum history. In the Australian curriculum history, the ANZAC tradition is included as essential learning for all young Australians, and is most explicit at years three and nine. In year three, students learn about the ANZAC story as an important day on the national calendar. In year nine, students investigate World War One in depth, learning about why men and women became involved in the war, the places where Australians fought, the nature of warfare, the Gallipoli campaign, and the impact of World War One on Australia. Students also learn about the significance of the commemoration of the ANZAC tradition itself and its human qualities of courage, mayship and sacrifice. While this is most explicit at years three and nine, wherever students are investigating Australia's wartime experiences in the curriculum, such as World War Two, Vietnam and Afghanistan, there is an opportunity to engage in learning about the meaning of ANZAC Day and to connect it with the great work schools do through their activities and remembrance of those who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The content of the Australian curriculum history enables students to engage with primary sources and practical hands-on history, to discover the first world war through the words of our ANZACs, investigate photographs, visit war memorials and attend ANZAC Day commemorations. More than ever, young Australians are journeying to Gallipoli each year to remember the fallen and to reflect on the costs of war on our nation. On the 25th April 2015, Australians will mark the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli. With the Centenary of ANZAC fast approaching, there will be many opportunities for schools to connect student learning in the Australian curriculum history to local community and national events and activities. What a wonderful opportunity this will be to bring learning about the ANZAC story to life, to understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society.