State overhauls high school subjects

Students in NSW will have access to four new digital and IT subjects from the 2024 school year, in the first major overhaul of the state’s computing technology curriculum since 2003.

The move was prompted by steadily declining enrolment rates, with the subjects considered largely outdated and redundant.

Students from Year 7 to Year 10 will be able to study Computing Technology, which replaces Information and Software Technology. It will continue to be mandatory for students in Year 7 and 8 to study the course before it becomes an elective.

Year 11 and 12 students will also be able to study Enterprise Computing, Computing Technology Life Skills, and Software Engineering, which will replace Information Processes and Technology.

The subjects will allow students to learn elements like include user experience design, mechatronics, data analysis and visualisation. Object-oriented programming, and machine learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and virtual and augmented reality will also be incorporated into the syllabuses.

The courses have already been piloted at Blakehurst High School in Sydney’s south, with Principal Sophie Kapsimalis backing the uptake of the revised coursework.

She said the new subjects would give students a “competitive edge” and “position themselves for a wide range of career opportunities”.

“It not only helps students to develop transferable skills that are applicable to many different industries, but also to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity,” she said.

Education and Early Learning Minister Pure Car urged students to take on the new courses.

“We are very excited to be rolling out the state’s new Computing Technology courses,” she said.

“NSW teachers have been spending unnecessary hours reworking old syllabuses, so they can teach students up-to-date skills.

“Our teachers will now able to draw from up-to-date content, so they can focus on outcomes.”

Blakehurst high school student, Diana Sheptitskaya said the subjects have made her more interested in pursuing a career in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) discipline.

“It’s made me more interested in design and technology, making me want to grow my knowledge in these subjects,” she said.