Useful information for parents
There are many items on this web site of particular interest to parents. They are sometimes a little difficult to locate as the number of pages of information here reaches into the thousands. This page is designed to assist you by providing direct links to the most recent and relevant ones.
- Parents’ Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses
- For parents of young children (Primary years)
- For parents of teenage children (Years 7-10)
- For parents of teenage children (Higher School Certificate)
- HSC On-line parents information
- Parents Associations
- Home Education in NSW Information Package
- Sydney For Kids
- Students Online
Parents’ Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses
The Board of Studies has provided NSW schools with copies of the Parents’ Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses for distribution to parents.
The Parents’ Guide has been developed to help parents follow their child’s early learning and to help them talk with teachers about day-to-day classroom activities and their child’s progress.
The Guide provides some examples of the kinds of things children can learn in each of the key learning areas in each stage of primary school.
For parents of young children (Primary years)
Board of Studies NSW – K-6 Educational Resources
If you have children in Primary School, you will find all of the useful documents listed here. Some of the most relevant are:
An Overview of the Primary Curriculum
This booklet has been written for both teachers and interested members of the community. It provides an overview of the primary curriculum in NSW that has been and is being developed by the Board of Studies NSW.
Parent information on supporting your child’s learning
K-6 English
The syllabus, sample units of work, a Principal’s package and related information is available from the K-6 Educational Resources website.
The Parents Guide introduces the English syllabus to parents and school community members.
K–6 Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) – Information for Parents
A two page document explaining the K-6 Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) syllabus which is available on the K–6 Educational Resources website in the following languages:
K-6 Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)
The syllabus, sample units of work, a Principal’s package and related information is available from the K-6 Educational Resources website.
The Parents Guide introducing the HSIE syllabus to parents and school community members.
K-6 Resource Products
All K-6 Resource products are available at the Board of Studies NSW Shop Online. Discover what your primary school child needs to learn and how you can help at home.
For parents of teenage children (Years 7-10)
- If you have children in years 7-10, you will find all of the useful documents listed here. Some of the most relevant are:
- Information for Parents and the Community about the Mandatory Courses in Years 7–10 (PDF)
- Also available in Word format
Guide to the 2009 School Certificate: Rules and Procedures for Students
- Guide to the 2009 School Certificate - Rules and Procedures for Students (PDF, 16 pages, 108 KB)
- Published 13 February 2009
Studying for the NSW Higher School Certificate – Information Booklet for Year 10 Students, 2009
- This booklet is for Year 10 students who are planning their Year 11 and Year 12 studies. It will also help anyone returning to school to finish Year 11 and Year 12.
- The information contained in this booklet is accurate at the time of publication. Schools will be notified of any changes to the rules and requirements.
- You should always check the Board of Studies website for the most up-to-date advice. Subscribe by email to Board of Studies News or NewsAtBOS on Twitter.
- Studying for the NSW HSC – Information Booklet for Year 10 Students, 2009 (PDF)
- Published 30 July 2009
- Past School Certificate Test Papers and related documents for:
- English-literacy;
- Mathematics;
- Science;
- Australian History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship
- Years 7-10 Syllabuses and Support Documents
- Computing Skills Assessment at Year 10
- School Certificate portfolio
- Resources for School Certificate tests
- As part of the School Certificate, students are tested on their knowledge and skills in English-literacy, Mathematics and Science (and from 2002 in Australian History, Geography and Civics and Citizenship).
- Resources available to help you understand the test requirements – and help your child prepare – are:
School Certificate Test Questions and Answers books- These books contain previous years’ tests and students’ answers annotated by the supervisors of marking. The English and Science books also include real student responses and markers’ comments. Students can increase their confidence and improve their performance by practising the questions and preparing for the tests.
School Certificate Standards Packages on CD-ROM- These packages explain the standards-based assessment, where students are marked according to their performance and not in relation to their ranking against their peers. Learn about standards setting, performance bands and see samples of real student work.
Available at the Board of Studies NSW Shop Online.
Products for Years 7-10
All products for Years 7-10 are available at the Board of Studies NSW Shop Online. Discover what your high school child needs in years 7-10 to learn and how you can help at home.
For parents of teenage children (Higher School Certificate)
- Essential planning documents for Higher School Certificate studies include:
-
Rules and Procedures for 2009 Higher School Certificate Candidates
- This booklet outlines the rules and procedures for the 2009 Higher School Certificate.
- Rules and Procedures for 2009 HSC Candidates (PDF, 21 pages, 155 KB)
- Published 1 December 2008
Studying for the NSW Higher School Certificate – Information Booklet for Year 10 Students, 2009
- This booklet is for Year 10 students who are planning their Year 11 and Year 12 studies. It will also help anyone returning to school to finish Year 11 and Year 12.
- The information contained in this booklet is accurate at the time of publication. Schools will be notified of any changes to the rules and requirements.
- You should always check the Board of Studies website for the most up-to-date advice. Subscribe by email to Board of Studies News or NewsAtBOS on Twitter.
- Studying for the NSW HSC – Information Booklet for Year 10 Students, 2009 (PDF)
- Published 30 July 2009
- Past Higher School Certificate Examination Papers and Notes from the Examination Centre
- HSC Syllabuses, Support Documents and Specimen Papers
- 2004-2006 English prescriptions: Areas of Study, Electives and Texts
- HSC Resources and Textbooks
- provides a subject-by-subject guide to resources and textbooks that are available
HSC On-line parents information
Parents of HSC students will find the Parents Pages on the HSC Online website very valuable. There are hints on making life with an HSC student more bearable for both parents and students!
You will find this information at http://hsc.csu.edu.au/for_parents/
This information is also available in Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese, at http://hsc.csu.edu.au/for_parents/
NSW HSC On-line is being developed as a joint venture by Charles Sturt University and the NSW Department of Education and Training. The NSW Board of Studies and the Joint Council of NSW Professional Teachers’ Associations are contributing to the development of the site.
Higher School Certificate Products
All Higher School Certificate products are available at the Board of Studies NSW Shop Online. Discover what your high school child needs to learn and how you can help at home.
Parents Associations
If you have children in school, you will find a listing of all of the useful Parents Associations.
Home Education in NSW Information Package
- The Home Education Information Package is intended to provide a description of the steps to be followed when applying for registration for Home Education and to assist parents/guardians in preparing to home educate their child/children. The package also contains an application for registration for Home Education.
- Home Education Information Package (PDF, 52 pages, 776 KB)
- Updated September 2006
- Home Education Information Package - forms only (Word, 7 pages, 176 KB)
Sydney For Kids
Sydney For Kids is based on the book by the same name. Find out about all that is fun in and around Sydney for kids and their families.
Visit the Family Fun this Fortnight section.
Students Online
Students Online is the Board’s web site for HSC students. It’s a one-stop study shop that puts all the Board’s HSC resources at your fingertips.
- Need help with downloading and viewing?
- You can also convert PDF documents into alternative formats.