Curriculum overview

Our teachers are experts in delivering quality learning experiences in the classroom and understanding the creative nature and performing arts passions and needs of our students.

We deliver all mandatory NSW courses and a wide range of elective courses. In addition, our students:

• Study all three performing arts areas in Y3 to Y6
• Undertake performing arts and wellbeing lessons every afternoon in Y3 to Y6
• Study more performing arts subjects in Y7 and Y8 than other schools
• Have a much greater choice of performing arts electives in Y8 to Y10
• Can gain national vocational qualifications with a performing arts industry focus in Y9 to Y12
• Study their auditioned area for Y3 to Y10 with the expectation that this continues into Y11 and Y12
• Have many opportunties to extend their performing arts skills through an outstanding co-curriculum program eg. award-winning and highly acclaimed dance, drama and music ensembles, musicals, tours, camps, workshops, private music lessons, local/state productions
• Are engaged in explicit teaching and learning that integrates performing arts into their everyday learning
• Experience school life with like-minded students

Project Based Learning

Subjects in Y8, Y9 and Y10 'Z' elective courses are 'project-based'.

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students begin by receiving explicit instruction, then deepen their knowledge, understanding and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge which is aligned to their interest.

We provide real-world opportunities for our students to develop the necessary employability and personal skills needed to thrive in the 21st century.

We ensure that our curriculum remains current, creative and responds to the changing needs of our students and their future employers.

We also want to decrease the number of assessments for our students and also provide meaningful time for creativity, critical and creative thinking, problem solving and innovation.

Students are assessed against demonstrated evidence in one or more of the General Capabilities, also known as 21st century skills.

PBL Resources

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for the curriculum, Kindergarten to Year 12, for all NSW schools.

For the high school years, NESA develops syllabuses for all subjects in eight key learning areas:

• creative arts
• English
• human society and its environment (HSIE)
• languages
• mathematics
• personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE)
• science
• technology and applied studies (TAS).

Some primary schools may also offer languages.

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