The Australian curriculum in New South Wales
Consultation
- Years 9–10 Work Studies – Board of Studies consultation on the Australian Curriculum: Work Studies Years 9–10 Draft Shape Paper (PDF) concluded 28 March 2013.
- Economics and Business – Board of Studies consultation on the Draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Economics and Business (PDF) concluded 19 October 2012.
- K–10 The Arts – Board of Studies consultation on the draft Australian Curriculum: The Arts Foundation to Year 10 concluded on 23 September 2012.
- K–12 Civics and Citizenship – Board of Studies consultation on the Draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship (PDF) concluded on 17 August 2012
- K–12 Technologies and K–12 Health and Physical Education – Board of Studies consultation on the Draft Shape of the Australian curriculum: Technologies and the Draft Shape of the Australian curriculum Health and Physical Education concluded on 3 June.
- The second round of consultation on the draft K–10 syllabuses for English, Mathematics, Science and History was conducted from 13 February to 30 April 2012.
- K–10 Geography – Board of Studies consultation on the draft Australian curriculum for Geography concluded on 16 March 2012.
Announcements
- An online programming tool called Program Builder is now available to assist primary and secondary teachers to implement the new NSW K–10 syllabuses for the Australian curriculum.
- The Board of Studies has developed new K–10 syllabuses for English, Mathematics, Science (including Science and Technology K–6) and History incorporating Australian curriculum.
- Joint memorandum (PDF, 2 pages, 160 KB) to Principals about the timeline for implementing NSW K–10 syllabuses for English, Mathematics, Science and History containing national curriculum content – 31 July 2012
- Joint memorandum (PDF, 2 pages, 98 KB) to Principals about the Australian curriculum – 31 August 2011
- Curriculum requirements for NSW schools in 2012 and 2013 – Official Notice BOS 37/11 – 21 November 2011
- Board President’s message to Principals – Implementation of the Australian curriculum in NSW (PDF, 1 page, 33 KB) – 9 August 2011
- Minister for Education’s media release – NSW to delay implementation of Australian Curriculum (PDF, 1 page, 57 KB) – 9 August 2011
Background
NSW has joined with the Australian Government and all other states and territories in a joint endeavour to develop an Australian curriculum. The Board of Studies NSW is responsible for advising the NSW Minister for Education on the appropriateness of curriculum for NSW schools and the structure and process of its implementation, including with regard to the Australian curriculum.
The development of the Australian curriculum is being coordinated by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and will occur in three phases. Phase 1 includes English, Mathematics, Science and History. Phase 2 comprises Geography, Languages and the Arts. Details about Phase 3 are to be determined.
Once the Australian curriculum for a learning area is endorsed by state and territory Education Ministers the Board of Studies will commence its syllabus development process. The new syllabuses will include the Australian curriculum and retain many of the features familiar to NSW teachers.
Implementation of the Australian curriculum is the responsibility of states and territories. NSW will implement the Australian curriculum through new syllabuses. The Board of Studies will provide notification and information about changes to NSW syllabuses as they are approved by the NSW Minister for Education.
Credentialing, and related assessment requirements and processes, remain the responsibility of the Board of Studies NSW.
The Board regularly publishes memorandums and news items to provide schools, teachers and the public with important information about the Australian curriculum in NSW.
The Board of Studies maintains a register of curriculum writers and reviewers to undertake tasks at various times of the year on a range of curriculum support projects. This includes projects to implement the Australian curriculum in NSW. Expressions of interest from qualified people are accepted on an ongoing basis.