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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

7–10Dance 7–10 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2026
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Stage 5

Performance
Context
  • Dances have performance protocols related to context, including those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

  • The conventions of contemporary dance practice including class protocols, behaviour and responsibilities to self and others

  • The different contexts of performance are artistic, cultural, social and personal

  • The language related to dance performance, including genre, style and interpretation, is determined by context

  • The relationship between context, genre, dance technique, performance quality and choreography

  • Prepare and perform within a range of contexts including dance as an art form

The dancing body
  • Develop personal body awareness, including the correct relationship between skeletal structure and major muscle groups to support the safe execution of movement

  • Understand and apply the healthy practices and fitness principles of nutrition, hydration, rest, circulation, respiration, wellbeing and supplementary training

  • Understand and demonstrate strategies for the prevention and management of common dance injuries

  • Demonstrate dance technique showing the relationship between alignment, control, strength, flexibility, endurance and coordination relative to personal anatomical structure

  • Perform increasingly complex combinations of body skills

  • Demonstrate kinaesthetic awareness of body placement to execute movement and to enhance performance quality

  • Demonstrate performance quality and interpretation of a choreographer’s intent in a range of dance styles

  • Reflect on own practice of dance technique, safe dance practice and performance quality

Elements of dance
  • Understand that dance technique enables the performer to control and manipulate the elements of dance to enhance performance quality and interpretation

  • Demonstrate control and manipulation of the elements of dance in combination with auditory elements to achieve the desired performance quality and interpretation

  • Control and manipulate the elements of dance in a range of dance styles

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