The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has release new syllabuses requiring a renewed focus on core skills in English and mathematics to boost learning outcomes for students.
Welcoming the new additions, the Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell said the English syllabus for primary and high school had built on the reformed Kindergarten to Year 2 syllabus which was released earlier this year.
“Our focus on phonics in those early years is a game-changer that is already delivering results,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The Year 3 to 6 English syllabus will build on the success we are seeing in the early years with an increased emphasis on grammar, which is key to writing well,” she said.
“It also requires teachers to ensure students in Years 3 and 4 can read fluently and decipher new words quickly.
“For students in Years 7 to 10, they will be taught ways to interpret unfamiliar words and use grammar to express complex ideas.”
Ms Mitchell said key changes in the new Maths syllabus would ensure students developed stronger foundations in sequencing and reasoning.
She said that in primary school, students would now develop a deeper understanding of maths and would have the depth to master important skills before moving on to another concept.
“In other words, students will need to not only know Pythagoras’ Theorem; they will need to be able to explain how it works in practice and why,” the Minister said.
“In Years 7 to 10, a new flexible Core-Paths structure will better prepare students for Year 11 and 12 maths courses and mandatory HSC maths.”
Ms Mitchell said the new syllabuses would be available for teachers to plan and prepare during 2023 and would be taught in all NSW schools from 2024.
