Skip to content

A NSW Government website

Welcome to the NSW Curriculum website

NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

11–12Ancient History Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2027
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Overview

Syllabus overview

Some students with intellectual disability may find Years 11–12 Life Skills outcomes and content the most appropriate option to follow in Stage 6. Before deciding that a student should undertake a course based on Life Skills outcomes and content, consideration should be given to other ways of assisting the student to engage with the outcomes of the equivalent Stage 6 course. Students with disability can access syllabus outcomes and content in a range of ways, including through a range of adjustments to teaching, learning and assessment activities. Decisions regarding curriculum options should be made in the context of collaborative curriculum planning.

Life Skills outcomes cannot be taught in combination with other outcomes from the equivalent Stage 6 course. Teachers select specific Life Skills outcomes to teach based on the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of each student. Students are required to demonstrate achievement of one or more Life Skills outcomes. Students may access or demonstrate learning in a range of ways, including using aspects of their home languages and dialects, or using their preferred communication form(s).

The Ancient History Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus aligns with the Ancient History 11–12 Syllabus to provide opportunities for integrated delivery.

Organisation of Ancient History Life Skills 11–12

Figure 1 shows the organisation of Ancient History Life Skills 11–12.

Historical concepts, skills and focus areas of Ancient History Life Skills 11–12. Details below.
Figure 1: The organisation of Ancient History Life Skills 11–12

Image long description: Lists of historical concepts and historical skills sit in the middle of the diagram, each surrounded by a box. Historical concepts are Causation; Continuity and change; Perspectives; Significance; and contestability. Historical skills are Time and chronology; Analysis and use of sources; Historical interpretation; Historical investigation and research; and Explanation and communication. Surrounding these lists are the focus areas of Investigating ancient history; Features of ancient societies; Historical investigation, Cities of Vesuvius: Pompeii and Herculaneum; Ancient societies; Historical personalities and Historical periods.

Protocols for collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and engaging with Cultural works

NESA is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal Communities and supporting teachers, schools and schooling sectors to improve educational outcomes for young people.

It is important to respect appropriate ways of interacting with Aboriginal Communities and Cultural material when teachers plan, program and implement Ancient History learning experiences that focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Priorities.

Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols need to be followed. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ ICIP protocols include Cultural Knowledges, Cultural Expression and Cultural Property and documentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Identities and lived experiences. It is important to recognise the diversity and complexity of different Cultural groups in NSW, as protocols may differ between local Aboriginal Communities.

Where possible, teachers should work in partnership with Elders, parents, Community members, Cultural Knowledge Holders or a local, regional or state Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. It is important to respect Elders and the roles of men and women. Local Aboriginal Peoples should be invited to share their Cultural Knowledges with students and staff when engaging with Aboriginal Histories and Cultural Practices.