The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is in the process of delivering a new curriculum for Kindergarten through to Year 12. It is the first comprehensive reform of the NSW school curriculum in three decades. The reform follows an intensive review led by Professor Geoff Masters which took place from 2018 to 2020. Two of the aims of this review focused on the need to de-clutter the curriculum so that teachers could focus on teaching essential knowledge and skills; and the importance of ensuring that schools provide students with strong foundations of knowledge and capabilities to enable them to become lifelong learners.

NSW Curriculum Reform has prioritised the core subjects of English and Mathematics to ensure the best learning outcomes for all students. Speaking from an English perspective, I can assure parents that many months of consultation and feedback have resulted in the formulation of the new English syllabus which will be implemented in 2024 for Years 7 and 9 and 2025 for Years 8 and 10.

The three key aspects of the new English syllabus for Years 7-10 are of particular interest as they wisely focus on literacy and the critical importance of reading and writing in the learning process. Whilst I am very pleased to see these areas prioritised, they have in fact been the focus in English classes at Mount Carmel for the past twenty years or more. The first of these key aspects calls for a more explicit evidence-based focus on students continuing to strengthen literacy skills by studying quality texts and further developing reading and writing skills. The second suggests that a more explicit approach to teaching writing will help students learn and practise the skills needed to create written texts for specific purposes. The third places a greater focus on reading regularly for understanding, challenge, interest, and enjoyment. This reflects evidence that regular reading enhances reading fluency and builds vocabulary, contributing to improved writing and use of language.

Over the next few weeks, I will be discussing the new English 7-10 syllabus in more detail. Given that the new syllabus’ central focus is text related, I’d like to remind everyone that the Parent Library, located in the uniform shop under the administration building, is open Monday 8am to 2pm, Wednesday 8am to 4.30pm and Thursday 8am to 2pm. Parents and carers are invited to look through the selection of books on offer and take home any of interest. These books can either become part of parents’ own home libraries or donated back to the Mount Carmel Parent Library after reading.

Clare Murphy

English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach