New rigorous History, Geography and Visual Arts syllabuses released to benefit students’ learning

The new History, Geography and Visual Arts syllabuses now explicitly articulate the knowledge and skills students need to acquire at each level of learning, with ambitious outcomes for students.

Under the Minns Labor Government's amended curriculum reform rollout, schools have an extra year to get to know the syllabuses before they will be taught across all schools in 2027.

This amended rollout gives teachers time to focus on successfully implementing the updated Kindergarten to Year 10 English and Mathematics syllabuses, now being taught in schools.

In History students will:

• Undertake a new mandatory civics study on the making of Australia, including learning about the Australian Constitution, the separation of powers, voting, referendums and Australia's democratic traditions;
• Study European exploration, the impacts on and responses of communities in North America, the Pacific and Asia, and Aboriginal Peoples' experiences throughout history in Australia;
• Study Australia's role in World Wars, learn about the experiences of prisoners of war and victims of the Holocaust, and the ancient and medieval worlds.

In Geography students will:

• Use geographic tools to build and communicate information. Updated tools embedded in each focus area include data and graphs, with greater alignment to Science and Mathematics.
• Have opportunities to relate their learning to the real world. This enables students to learn and process information and apply their understanding as part of geographical inquiry.
• Apply their knowledge of climate change impacts, including present day environmental and global challenges, to understand how these factors affect wellbeing and development.
• Undertake approximately 10 hours of fieldwork in each stage of learning. Teachers will be provided with guidelines to support out-of-class activities.

In Visual Arts students will:

• Have more opportunities to learn about interrelated artworld concepts, viewpoints and practices and apply this knowledge to their own art making.
• Engage with new content to reflect emerging technologies and art techniques to reflect the current context for young learners.
• Take a multisensory approach to artmaking which is accessible for all learners.

Teaching advice is being released alongside the new syllabuses, with additional resources, including those for parents, to follow.

Visit the NSW Curriculum website to view the new syllabuses and support materials for teachers.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

"The new syllabuses will provide students opportunities for in depth learning, and support teachers to with essential content for evidence-based explicit teaching.

"I thank the teachers who were part of the syllabus development and who provided their expertise and feedback.
"These syllabuses equip students to become well-rounded and informed young people, and I look forward to seeing them rolled out in every school."

NSW Education Standards Authority CEO Paul Martin said:

"We know that clearer syllabuses lead to greater teacher authority and autonomy - because they enable teachers to enter classrooms with a consistent and clear understanding of their students' learning entitlement.

"These are research-driven syllabuses that build on the knowledge and skills-base of Years 5 and 6 and will ensure students from Years 7 to 10 are challenged and extended with engaging content taught explicitly.

"These documents went through a robust consultation process which has resulted in high quality syllabuses that reflects feedback provided by teachers and the broader community.

"We will continue to support teachers as they get to know these syllabuses over the next two years, before teaching them in 2027."

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