The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for the curriculum, Kindergarten to Year 12, for all NSW schools.
For the primary years, NESA develops syllabuses for all subjects in 6 key learning areas:
- creative arts
- English
- human society and its environment (HSIE)
- mathematics
- personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE)
- science and technology.
Some primary schools may also offer languages.
NSW schools also offer special religious education and special education in ethics via approved providers, where available.
Like all NSW schools, we have developed teaching and learning programs to suit our local context and the needs of our students.
To learn more about curriculum in NSW, visit:
- NSW Department of Education – key learning areas
- NESA’s Parent Guide – Schooling in NSW which provides information about learning stages, key learning areas and syllabuses
- NSW Department of Education policy – Curriculum planning and programming, assessing and reporting to parents K–12.
Stages of learning
There are 6 stages of learning from Kindergarten to Year 12. Primary school covers Early Stage 1, or Kindergarten, to the end of Stage 3.
- Stage 1 includes Kindergarten to Year 2 (Kindergarten is referred to as Early Stage 1).
- Stage 2 includes Years 3 and 4.
- Stage 3 includes Years 5 and 6.
The study of mathematics is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
By studying mathematics, students learn to work mathematically – developing fluency, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning and communication skills.
The syllabus consists of the following strands:
- number and algebra
- measurement and geometry
- statistics and probability.
Creative arts is mandatory for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
In creative arts, students discover a variety of art forms through a study of dance, drama, music and visual arts where they learn to appreciate, compose, listen, make and perform.
Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives.
English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Students learn about the English language through written, spoken and visual texts of increasing complexity as they progress through their schooling.
An understanding of the English language is central to how we communicate and essential for intellectual, social and emotional development.
The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.
Human society and its environment (HSIE), the subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
In HSIE, students explore varied subjects in human society and its environment to learn about history, geography, people, societies and culture.
Students also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects.
A large number of individual subjects make up the key learning area of HSIE in which students:
- research, gather and analyse information
- question and make judgements
- write for a variety of purposes.
In NSW primary schools, the study of a language is optional.
Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.
Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for between 1.5 and 2.5 hours per week in Kindergarten to Year 6.
PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.
Science and technology is mandatory for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
In science and technology, students explore the natural and made worlds. They learn how to apply scientific and technological skills, knowledge and understanding across a broad range of contexts.
Science provides a way of inquiring about the world around us. It explores evidence and investigates ways to discover, develop and produce solutions to real world problems. The inquiry and skill-based nature of science opens doors to ideas and discoveries.
NSW public schools offer special religious education and special education in ethics, delivered by approved providers wherever available.
During enrolment, you can choose a special religious education option for your child from the school’s available approved providers. You can withdraw your child from special religious education by selecting alternative meaningful activities, or special education in ethics if it’s available.
You can update your preference by writing to the school or through the online form available at participating schools.
Visit the department’s website for more information about religion and ethics.
At Wollongong Public School, SRE and SEE is delivered on Thursdays from 9.30am – 10.00am for K-2 students and from 10.05am – 10.35am for Years 3-6 students.
On enrolment parents/carers will be given the SRE and SEE participation letter (SRE Form) to complete and return. After the initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE/SEE should be given to the school office, in writing.
The following SRE classes are offered at Wollongong Public School:
Catholic SRE is provided by Catholic Diocese of Wollongong. More information about Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Catholic SRE website at ccdwollongong.com
Christian Combined SRE is provided by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. For more information about Christian Combined SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Christian Combined SRE website at CEP curriculum overview
For more information about Muslim SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Muslim SRE website Special Religious Education – Islamic Education
Buddhist SRE is provided by the International Buddhist Association of Australia (trading as Nan Tien Temple). For more information about Buddhist SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Buddhist SRE website at SRE Scope and Sequence
Orthodox Christian SRE is provided by The Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand. For more information about Orthodox Christian SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Orthodox Christian SRE website https://soc.org.au/en/sre
SEE is provided by Primary Ethics. For more information about SEE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Primary Ethics website Primary Ethics Curriculum
During the time that SRE/SEE classes are being held, students not attending will be located in a separate space and will participate in meaningful activities including reading, private study or completing homework.