Creating the next generation of tech leaders, entrepreneurs and experts are at the heart of the new Computing Technologies curriculum released. It comes as part of the NSW government’s ongoing delivery of the most comprehensive Curriculum Reform in a generation.
The Minister for Education and Early Learning said the updated curriculum ensures students are prepared for future jobs in a fast-changing digital world. She added that students must develop an understanding of essential computing skills to not only keep themselves safe in a digital world but also to thrive in the careers of the future.
Through these new syllabuses, students, right from the beginning of school, will be able to develop fundamental skills in coding, cyber security, and information systems for businesses. The curriculum has also been updated to better reflect the latest computing technologies and the expectations of the industry so that we create the next generation of tech-savvy experts here in NSW.
The new Enterprise Computing and Software Engineering syllabuses for Years 11 to 12 will also see secondary students sitting more HSC exams online in 2025. The NSW government is updating subjects and the HSC to be more suited to the modern era with new syllabuses that align with a fast-changing digital world.
If the HSC qualification is to remain a world-class qualification, it is essential that it is modernised. Currently, there is only one subject that has an exam conducted on a computer. However, this will be expanded to reflect the increasingly online world.
The region’s Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government said the NSW government is committed to providing the State with the skills for the 21st century. The aim is for NSW kids to have the world at their fingertips and this initiative will help the government build a digital workforce of the future.
Key features of the new syllabuses include:
- A greater focus on cyber safety and cyber security content.
- Closer links to learning in other subjects such as maths and science to create clearer pathways into future STEM study and careers.
- All senior secondary students will do a new mandatory project as part of the school-based assessment to support deeper learning and the development of project skills.
New streamlined Geography 11 to 12 syllabuses have also been delivered, removing clutter, and allowing teachers to focus on essential learning so students gain the skills, knowledge and understanding to be informed, global citizens. Additionally, the NSW government has released new Classical and Modern Languages syllabuses for Kindergarten to Year 10.
The NSW Education Standards Authority, which is responsible for delivering NSW Curriculum Reforms, will provide schools with support materials as they implement new syllabuses and prepare for online HSC exams. The new syllabuses are available on the Digital Curriculum platform launch for teachers to plan during 2023 and will be taught in NSW schools from 2024.
Syllabus development process
Development of K–12 syllabuses
The NSW government’s response to the Curriculum Review requires NESA to develop more than 200 new syllabuses between 2021 and 2024. The government has streamlined and refined the existing syllabus development process to meet the government-mandated timelines. This includes processes for prioritisation, development, and approval of syllabuses.
In 2021, the refined syllabus development process for the new K–2 English and Mathematics syllabuses was successfully piloted. To ensure it was scalable and fit-for-purpose for the remaining K–12 syllabuses, feedback from stakeholders was considered. The new syllabus development process retains rigour while providing the flexibility required for developing the remaining K–12 syllabuses.
