The Australian curriculum in New South Wales
News
Announcements
- President's memorandum to Principals about the timeline for implementing the new NSW Geography K–10 Syllabus – 13 July 2015
- Read the BOSTES Submission to the Australian Government Review of the Australian Curriculum
- President's message to Principals - New NSW Syllabus Implementation Schedule
- Further advice on implementation timelines for new K–10 syllabuses, including scenarios for a range of school situations
- Board President's message to Principals – Update on NSW syllabuses incorporating the Australian curriculum
- 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.
NSW Government