Curriculum
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Walcha
Curriculum News for Parents
What do we teach at St Patrick’s?
What is the curriculum and what is its reform?
Submitted by Anna Flanagan (Leader of Curriculum)
The NSW Curriculum, designed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), is a statewide framework dictating exactly what students are taught from Kindergarten to Year 12. Its primary goal is to build strong foundations in literacy and numeracy while equipping students with practical, real-world skills.
The NSW curriculum reform has been an important and positive step forward for education because it aims to make learning clearer, deeper and more relevant for today’s students. The new syllabuses focus on strong foundations in literacy and numeracy while also developing critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and communication skills. Teachers are being encouraged to spend more time helping students deeply understand key concepts rather than rushing through overcrowded content. The reform also places greater emphasis on explicit teaching, evidence-based practice and connecting learning to real-world situations, helping students become confident, capable and adaptable learners for the future.
The implementation of the new NSW syllabuses is happening gradually across several years. English and Mathematics K–10 have already been introduced in schools, while Creative Arts, HSIE, PDHPE and Science and Technology K–6 are currently in the planning and preparation phase for schools and are scheduled for full implementation by 2027. Secondary and senior syllabuses are also being introduced progressively between 2026 and 2030, depending on the subject area. This staged approach allows schools and teachers time for professional learning, planning and the development of quality teaching programs and resources.
Here is a clear, simple breakdown of how the curriculum is structured and what it means for your child:
The Stages of Learning
Instead of just focusing on year levels, the NSW system groups learning into "Stages". This allows students to progress at a pace that matches their developmental needs rather than a strict age bracket.
- Early Stage 1: Kindergarten over one year
- Stage 1: Years 1 & 2 a two year cycle
- Stage 2: Years 3 & 4 a two year cycle
- Stage 3: Years 5 & 6 a two year cycle - ends primary.
- Stage 4: Years 7 & 8
- Stage 5: Years 9 & 10
- Stage 6: Years 11 & 12 (Senior Years / HSC)
What Subjects are Taught?
Throughout their schooling, students at St Patrick’s study these key learning areas:
- Religion
- English
- Mathematics
- Science & Technology
- Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) – which includes Geography and History
- Creative Arts
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
- Languages (Spanish in upper primary years)
How Are Students Assessed?
Teachers use syllabus outcomes (the skills and knowledge expected to be demonstrated) to guide lessons and assess your child.
A-E Grades: Schools use an A to E grading scale to report overall achievement in a subject, relative to the expectations for their particular stage of learning.
As the new curriculum becomes fully established, the future of learning in NSW schools is expected to become more engaging, personalised and skills-focused. Learning will continue to build strong academic foundations while also preparing young people for a rapidly changing world shaped by digital technologies, global connections and evolving careers. The reforms aim to help students become resilient, creative thinkers who can confidently contribute to their communities and succeed in future pathways that may not even exist yet.
Where to Find More Information
To get deeper insights into specific subjects, check out the Information for Parents and Carers page on the NESA website.
