Almost two decades after its last revision, the HSC is set for an overhaul, with the NSW Education Standards Association (NESA) recently announcing changes to the syllabus that will commence for students starting Year 11 in 2018.
Previously criticised for “dumbing down” subject matter, the HSC will now have a focus on “greater depth, rigour, and mastery of content learning”. This will include the study of more complex topics in Maths and Science, along with minimum Literacy and Numeracy standards for all students attaining the HSC.
There will also be a cap on school based assessment tasks per course, and updated exam questions to encourage deeper analysis.
On February 20, NESA published its new syllabus materials for 22 separates subjects across the fields of Mathematics, English, Science and History. While Maths is yet to be finalised, ABC Online has analysed the syllabus from NESA to provide a brief on the changes so far…
Science
Overhaul of curriculum to focus on Science concepts rather than their context. For example, instead of writing essays about famous physicists, students will be studying the quantitative theories.
- Increased mathematical content especially in physics and chemistry
- A focus on learning scientific principles, theories and laws
- Option topics such as The Chemistry of Art have been scrapped
- More practical investigations
- Up to 15 hours each year of “depth studies” to allow students to investigate concepts in more detail
English
- Deeper study of texts across all levels with a focus on quality literature
- Year 11 standard and advanced courses now have a mandatory first module, Reading to Write, that focuses on developing essential skills required for senior study and to refine writing skills
- Focus on digital literacy skills in year 11 English standard module Contemporary Possibilities
- The year 12 common module areas of study — including Journeys, Discovery, Belonging — are scrapped
- New module The Craft of Writing now mandatory in standard and advanced courses
History
- Completely new syllabus topic The Shaping of the Modern World, which includes The Enlightenment, The French Revolution, The Age of Imperialism, and The Industrial Age
- Focus on key ideas and Western traditions including the ideas that shaped democracy and liberty, inalienable rights, and the expansion of capitalism
- World War I is shifted from Year 12 to Year 11
- World War II topics retained
- Requirement that students study a non-European/Western component
- Retained focus on Aboriginal history
Maths
- In General Maths, there will be a focus on online data and its application in a new topic area known as Networks.
- Advanced mathematics will include an extension of current syllabus to incorporate more complex concepts
- New topic: Financial Mathematics
- Statistical analysis now introduced at Advanced level as well as Extension 1
- Extension: New topic of vectors has been added, providing stronger links to engineering and other STEM-related concepts
- New topic of Combinatorics
- Extension 2: New topics: more advanced studies in vectors and proof
- The topic circular motion has been removed and replaced by enhanced calculus content
- Study of complex numbers including Euler’s formula
(Source: abc.net.au – What are the changes to the New South Wales Year 12 syllabus?)
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For over 25 years Chalkwall has been assisting students meet their HSC goals. This tradition continues as the HSC alters over the coming years. Our specially trained tutors are abreast of all curriculum alterations and maintain their commitment to making the final years of schooling fun, challenging and ultimately rewarding.
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