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Diversity in learning

Aboriginal education

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School and Aboriginal community partnerships

NSW schools can ensure successful and sustainable learning outcomes for all students by working in partnership with their local Aboriginal community(ies).

For information, read the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander principles and protocols.

Aboriginal students

Aboriginal students are some of the youngest members of the oldest continuous cultures in the world. Aboriginal students in NSW schools are diverse, and have a range of cultural and community needs. Schools and teachers can support the educational success and aspirations of Aboriginal students.

Read more about curriculum strategies and considerations for Aboriginal students.

For some Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, Standard Australian English is an additional language or dialect.

Aboriginal Languages

NSW schools introducing Aboriginal Languages programs will ensure success and sustainability by working in partnership with their local Aboriginal community(ies).

Students in NSW schools can study Aboriginal Languages in:

Kindergarten to Year 6
mandatory Language study in Years 7–10
elective courses in Years 7–10
Years 11–12.

From 2024, the Aboriginal Languages K–10 (2022) Syllabus can be taught for schools with a K–6 program, and mandatory 100 hours of a Language in Years 7–10.

Students who commenced the 100-hour or 200-hour elective course in 2023 may continue to study the Aboriginal Languages K–10 Syllabus (2003) in 2024.

The Aboriginal Languages Stage 6 CEC Syllabus can be studied in Years 11–12.

Successful implementation of Aboriginal Languages will be dependent on expertise and guidance from Aboriginal knowledge holders and keepers, custodians and stakeholders to support classroom teachers. Appropriate ongoing community consultation is needed in the development and delivery of teaching and learning programs.

Further information about community consultation is available:

within Aboriginal Languages syllabuses
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander principles and protocols
Working with Aboriginal Communities: A Guide to Community Consultation and Protocols (2008) (PDF, 37 pages, 1.7 MB).

Aboriginal Studies

NESA provides syllabuses for the study of Aboriginal Studies in Years 7–12:

Teachers are advised to work in partnership with their local Aboriginal community(ies) in planning, programming and delivery of teaching and learning programs. Ongoing community consultation underpins successful implementation and student learning outcomes in Aboriginal Studies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures is a Learning across the curriculum priority. Syllabuses published from 2015 to 2020 contain statements about opportunities for students to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and content is identified by icons.

For syllabuses released as part of NSW curriculum reforms, information is available on the NSW Curriculum website.

Planning and programming

When planning and programming content relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, teachers are encouraged to:

involve local Aboriginal communities and/or appropriate knowledge holders in determining suitable resources, or use Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander authored or endorsed publications
read the principles and protocols relating to teaching and learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures and the involvement of local Aboriginal communities.

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Guide to evaluating and selecting education resources has been developed to assist teachers to select appropriate resources for teaching about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and languages respectfully and effectively.

Download the guide from the AIATSIS website.

Professional Development

Aboriginal education and supporting Aboriginal students/children is a NESA Accredited PD priority area for NSW teachers.

Read more about NESA Accredited PD courses.

For enquiries about Aboriginal Education, curriculum and assessment K–12:
Phone: +61 9367 8333
Email: [email protected]

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