Alright, Here’s What You Need to Know About Changes to the New South Wales Year 12 Syllabus

Attention!

For the first time in 16 years, the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC) syllabus has been given a radical overhaul. The new syllabus will be rolled out in 2018.

The new syllabus signifies a move away from a “social context” approach to teaching, which some have accused of leading to a “dumbing down” of subject matter, particularly in science academia.

Read on for a thorough breakdown of what will change in each faculty.

Science

There will be a far greater focus on scientific concepts, as opposed to their context. The ABC provides an apt example of what this means; so, rather than writing essays about famous physicists you will be studying actual quantitative theories.

Increased mathematical content is also on the agenda, particularly in physics and chemistry.

Other changes include:

• More practical investigations.
• A greater focus on learning scientific principles, theories and laws.
• Up to 15 hours (per year) of “depth studies” aimed at allowing students to investigate concepts in more detail.
• Option topics (such as The Chemistry of Art) have been scrapped.

English

There will be a deeper study of texts across all levels with a focus on quality literature. A mandatory first module—Reading to Write—will be introduced to Year 11 standard and advanced courses. The module will help students develop essential skills needed for senior study and to refine their writing skills.

Other changes include:

• A focus on digital literacy skills in Year 11 English standard module: Contemporary Possibilities.
• Common Year 12 module areas of study—Journeys, Discovery, Belonging—are scrapped.
• A new module called The Craft of Writing will be mandatory in standard and advanced courses.

History

A completely new topic will be introduced to the syllabus called The Shaping of the Modern World. It will include The Enlightenment, The French Revolution, The Age of Imperialism, and The Industrial Age.

There will also be a focus on key ideas and Western traditions, such as those that shaped democracy and liberty, inalienable rights, and the expansion of capitalism. (Focus on Aboriginal history and World War II will go unchanged.)

Other changes include:

• Teaching of World War I moved from Year 12 to Year 11
• Mandatory requirement for students to study a non-European/Western study

Maths

There will be a focus on online data and its application in a new topic area known as Networks, in Standard Maths.

As for Advanced Maths, there will be an extension of current syllabus to incorporate more complex concepts, as well as the introduction of a new topic called ‘Financial Mathematics’. Statistical analysis will be introduced at an advanced level (as well as Extension 1).

Other changes include:

• Extension 1: A new topic of vectors has been added; it will provide strong links to engineering and other STEM-related concepts.
• Extension 1: New topic of combinatorics added.
• Extension 2: Advanced studies in vectors and proof has been added.
• Extension 2: Topic of circular motion has been scrapped and replaced by enhanced calculus content.
• Extension 2: The study of complex numbers, including Euler’s formula.

For more information, check the Board of Studies website.

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