English Curriculum
The NSW English syllabus (2023) places a strong emphasis on the explicit teaching of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, ensuring students develop a deep understanding of language and literacy. The curriculum promotes a structured approach to English, with clear learning intentions and success criteria guiding student progress. A key focus is on the systematic teaching of phonics, vocabulary, and fluency that supports comprehension strategies in the early years, while older students engage in rich discussions and text analysis to enhance critical thinking and communication skills.
In addition to foundational literacy skills, the syllabus strengthens students' ability to explore and create texts across a range of genres and perspectives. It integrates multimodal and digital literacy, recognising the evolving ways students engage with texts in a modern world. The curriculum also encourages creativity and deeper comprehension by exposing students to diverse literature, including First Nations perspectives, Australian literature, and global texts, fostering a broader appreciation of storytelling and its impact.
To support effective implementation, the curriculum emphasises evidence-informed teaching practices, assessment for learning, and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners, including high potential and gifted students. Teachers use explicit teaching strategies, structured literacy approaches, and high-quality mentor texts to enhance student engagement and achievement. The syllabus aligns with the NSW School Excellence Framework, ensuring students receive high-quality English instruction that builds strong literacy foundations for lifelong learning.