Navigating the Changes to the NSW Secondary Curriculum With ClickView Topics

NSW Secondary Curriculum – What’s New? And How We Can Help

The new NSW curriculum is here. How are you feeling about it? Excited to get started? Stressed because there’s no time in your day to get your head around it? Annoyed that you’ll have to redo all your planning just when you had it where you wanted? Or maybe somewhere in between? No matter where you sit, if you’re a secondary teacher in NSW, chances are it’s on your mind and will be shaping your planning this term—and likely for many to come.

As a secondary teacher and curriculum enthusiast, I’ve enjoyed diving into the updates, exploring what’s changed, and summarising some key shifts. With my ClickView hat on, my team and I have also curated ClickView Topics—collections of videos and teaching resources on key themes—to align with some of these major changes, making it easier to integrate them into lesson planning.

I hope you find this helpful, and I’d love to hear your thoughts, insights, and any tips you have to share with the ClickView teaching community.

Skip to sections:

1. English
2. Maths
3. Science
4. Technology
5. Computing Technology
6. Creative Arts
7. History
8. Geography
9. Commerce
10. PDHPE
11. Electives

English (fully implemented)

English has a little bit of a facelift, a new structure that builds on foundational literacy skills across all outcomes, and updated text requirements mandating the teaching of a range of texts from Australian authors including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers. To help you find rich supplementary resources for the curriculum you’ve already implemented, we’ve aligned collections of ClickView Topics from our English Directory to the new curriculum structure.

Core Focus Areas	Collections of ClickView Topics
Understanding Texts Reading, viewing and listening to texts	Analysing Literature Australian Literature and Film American Literature British Literature Shakespeare World Literature International Films Non Fiction Understanding the Media
Composing Texts Understanding and composing texts Expressing ideas and composing texts	Grammar and Figurative Language Speaking and Listening Writing

Maths (fully implemented)

Similar to English, Maths has also had a little tweak with the new syllabus structure and is now divided into three content categories:

• Number and Algebra,
• Measurement and Space and
• Statistics and Probability.

We know you’ve already implemented your units of work, but to help you find additional material we’ve aligned our ClickView Topic collections to the key focus areas in Maths.

Number and Algebra

Core Focus Areas	Collections of ClickView Topics
Number and Finance	Maths in Real Life Number
Algebra and Operations	Algebra Number
Ratios and Rates	Number
Linear and non Linear Relationships	Algebra Statistics and Probability

Measurement and Space

Core Focus Areas	Collections of ClickView Topics
Pythagoras and Trigonometry	Space
Length, Area and Volume	Measurement

Statistics

Core Focus Areas	Collections of ClickView Topics
Data Classification, Visualisation and Analysis	Statistics and Probability
Probability	Statistics and Probability

New content in Maths areas

We promise we haven’t forgotten about the new content areas: Networks, Infographic, and Simulations. Here’s what we’ve got for those of you teaching these topics.

Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Networks	New Topic coming in 2025
Infographics	Displaying and Analysing Data Introduction to Probability Numeracy in Real Life Statistical Concepts (Coming soon) Link to Collection: Statistics and Probability
Simulations	Introduction to Probability Numeracy in Real Life Probability Models (Coming soon) Link to Collection: Statistics and Probability

Science (full implementation 2026)

Many of you who are teaching Science are likely to have started implementing the new curriculum this year. As you know, the big changes to Science include greater time spent on science investigations, increased connections between Science, Mathematics and Geography (hooray!), and strengthened links between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientific knowledge and cultural practices, especially to astronomy, sustainability and land management. More on that later in the blog.

But the biggest content change, is the inclusion of Data Science at Stages 4 and 5. At ClickView, we have a Data in Science topic in the works, but in the interim, we recommend you check out the following Maths topics to help you incorporate Data Science into your teaching.

• Displaying and Analysing Data
• Introduction to Probability
• Numeracy in Real Life
• Statistical Concepts (coming soon)
• Probability Models (coming soon)

Stage 4: Core Focus Areas	Collections of ClickView Topics
Observing the Universe	The Universe Space
Forces	Forces and Motion
Cells and Classification	Cells Nature and Organisms
Solutions and Mixtures	Elements, Compounds and Mixtures States of Matter
Living Systems	Nature and Organisms Human Body Systems Reproduction
Periodic Table and Atmoic Structure	Periodic Table and Atoms
Change	Chemical Reactions Energy
Data Science 1	Statistics and Probability Science Inquiry
Working Scientifically	Science Inquiry

Stage 5: Core Focus Areas	Collections of ClickView Topics
Energy	Energy
Disease	Microbiology
Materials	Matter
Environment and Sustainability	Earth Systems Human Impacts UN Sustainable Development Goals
Genetics and Evolutionary Change	Evolution and Natural Selection
Reactions	Chemical Reactions
Waves and Motion	Waves Forces and Motion
Data Science 1	Statistics and Probability Science Inquiry
Working Scientifically	Science Inquiry

How do ClickView Science Topics reference Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientific Knowledge and Cultural Practices?

For those of you who are already familiar with ClickView Topics, you may have noticed that most of our Science ClickView Topics reference Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientific Knowledge and Cultural Practices. For instance, our ClickView Topic on Light, highlights First Nation’s understanding of refraction, and our Classification ClickView Topic shares content on First Nation’s classification systems.

Technology (implementation 2026)

Here are the ClickView Topics and collections of topics to support TAS teachers. We’re currently working on some new topics, so if you’re a TAS teacher who is looking for some specific topics, do get in touch.

Core Focus Areas	Collections of ClickView Topics
Digital and communication technologies	Digital Technology
Engineering technologies and systems	Industrial Technology Materials in Design Workplace Health and Safety (coming in 2025)
Food and agricultural practices	Food Technology Agricultural Technology Workplace Health and Safety (Coming in 2025)
Materials and production processes	Textiles Technology Design and Technology Workplace Health and Safety (Coming in 2025)

Computing Technology (Fully Implemented)

For 7-10 TAS teachers teaching Computer Technology, you’ll know that the curriculum has an entire rewrite. To help you find some additional video resources to support your teaching, explore the ClickView Topics we’ve created and are on their way this year.

Enterprise Information Systems

Core Focus Areas	Collections of ClickView Topics
Modelling networks and social connections	Online Safety Ethical Debates Artificial Intelligence Industrial Revolution (Explores the 4th Industrial Revolution)
Designing for user experience	User Experience Design Concepts and Processes (Coming in 2025)
Analysing data	Displaying and Analysing Data

Software Development

Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Building mechatronic and automated systems	Artificial Intelligence Industrial Revolution (Explores the 4th Industrial Revolution) Data and Information (Coming in 2025)
Creating games and simulations	Esports Programming and Coding (Coming in 2025) Computational Thinking (Coming in 2025) Data and Information (Coming in 2025) Design Concepts and Processes (Coming in 2025)
Developing apps and web software	Programming and Coding (Coming in 2025) Computational Thinking (Coming in 2025) Data and Information (Coming in 2025) Design Concepts and Processes (Coming in 2025)

Creative Arts (Implementation 2026 – 2027)

The biggest change to Creative Arts is the explicit content points and advice related to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Communities and Cultural material. We’re currently in the process of developing a whole suite of Creative Arts ClickView Topics including Dance Styles and Choreography, The History of Theatre, Performance Music Genre, Music Composition, Foley and Sound Design, and Video and Film. These topics include content about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Communities and Culture.

In the meantime, we recommend you take a look at the following new ClickView Topics we’ve curated.

Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Dance	Bangarra Dance Theatre
Drama	Elements of Theatrical Production
Media Arts	Film Production and Distribution
Music	Music Theory and Composition
Visual Arts	Art Styles and Movements

HSIE (Implementation 2027 – 2028)

History

Some of the largest changes to History are not on the content (although there are some new content areas), but a greater emphasis is on the development of historical understanding and inquiry. As a former History teacher, this is very exciting. In terms of mandatory content, Deep Time of Australia is out, and mandatory content on Australian civics and citizenship, and Aboriginal Peoples’ experiences of colonisation, and Australia at war, at Stages 4 and 5 are in.

To support you in the implementation of Stage 4 and 5 History, we’ve mapped our ClickView Topics to the Historical context and Depth Studies in the table below.

Stage 4: Historical Contexts (core)

Stage 4: Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
The Ancient Past	The Ancient and Mesoamerican World
The Medieval World	The Medieval and Early Modern World
The Era of Colonisation	The Impact of Colonisation Origins of Colonial Australia Ned Kelly Film Topics: Rabbit Proof Fence (Coming soon) High Ground Special Event Topics: The Voice NAIDOC Week National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week Other topics on Australian history here.

Stage 4: Depth Studies (core)

Stage 4: Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Aboriginal People’s Experiences of Colonisation	The Impact of Colonisation Origins of Colonial Australia Ned Kelly The Gold Rush (Coming soon) Film Topics: Rabbit Proof Fence (Coming soon) High Ground Special Event Topics: The Voice Referendum NAIDOC Week National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week Other topics on Australian history here.

Stage 5: Historical Contexts (core)

Stage 5: Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
The Making of the Modern World	Making the Modern World
The Modern World	The Modern World

Stage 5: Depth Studies (core)

Stage 5: Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Australia: Making a Nation (1889 – c. 1919 Federation to WWI)	Industrial Revolution World War I The Gallipoli Campaign and the Anzac Legend Democracy The Gold Rush (Coming soon) Migration Special Event: Remembrance Day
Australia at War (WWII)	Prosperity and Depression (Coming soon) World War II Hitler and Nazi Germany (Coming soon) The Holocaust The Atomic Bomb (Coming soon) Migration The Cold War The Vietnam War
Human Rights and Freedoms	The Cold War The Vietnam War U.S.Civil Rights Movement Civil Rights in Australia (Coming soon) Human Rights Australia’s Diverse Society Active Citizenship (Coming soon) Using your Voice (Coming soon) Special Event: International Day of Peace The Voice Referendum

But what about historical concepts and skills, I hear you say?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. To help History teachers address the outcomes that relate to this, we’ve decided to support teachers via ClickView Topics in three ways.

1. We’ve created a Being a Historian ClickView Topic. This Topic explores historical skills and concepts via the lens of inquiry and analysis.
2. We’ve produced two series: one with Oxford University Press, called Investigating the Ancient World, and another with Research Skills.
3. We’ve included content in ClickView Topics that can be used to develop historical understanding. For example in the Ancient Rome Topic, we’ve included a a series of videos to help history teachers address the outcome HI4-COM-01.

Geography

For those Geography teachers out there, I’m sure it won’t surprise you to see that in the new curriculum, there is greater alignment with Science and Fieldwork. You’ll also be pleased to know we’ve already been linking Science and Geography topics at ClickView. If you look closely at our Science and Geography Directories you’ll see a lot of crossover. We know that if you’re exploring Outcomes GE4-PRI-01 and GE5-PRI-01 through the lens of Climate Change, there is no way you aren’t going to touch on the Science in your classes. So, in the topics we’re creating we’ve done the heavy lifting for you.

As part of this new curriculum, there are also more opportunities to learn about Aboriginal Cultures and Histories and to investigate and develop an understanding of their sustainable environmental management practices. If you haven’t already noticed, we’ve been incorporating links to our First Nations cultures in many of our topics. Sometimes, we are explicit, and at other times, more subtle. Here is an example of how we have approached First Nations’ sustainable environmental management on our Bushfires Topic.

Stage 4: Geography

Stage 4: Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Landscapes and Landforms	Landforms and Landscapes
Liveability of Places	Liveability and Urbanisation
Water in the World	Earth’s Natural Systems
Interconnections and Trade	Globalisation

Stage 5: Geography

Stage 4: Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Biomes and Sustainable Agriculture	Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Changing Places	Human Impacts Ecosystems and Biodiversity Earth’s Natural Systems Landforms and Landscapes
Environmental Change and Management	Human Impacts Ecosystems and Biodiversity Earth’s Natural Systems Landforms and Landscapes
Human Wellbeing	Globalisation Human Impacts

Thinking and Working Geographically

Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Geographical concepts Geographical inquiry skills Geographical tools	Geographical Concepts Keep your eyes peeled for more topics to support the teaching of these areas in 2025.

Commerce

The key element underpinning the new Commerce curriculum is making Commerce relevant to student’s everyday lives and helping them develop a greater awareness of economic issues, the business world and Australia’s legal and political system. To help you find what you are looking for we’ve linked our ClickView Topics both to the 5 core and 9 optional focus areas.

Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
The Consumer and Financial Environment	Ethical Debates Business Economics Legal Studies
The Economic Environment	Economics Legal Studies Ethical Debates
The Business Environment	Ethical Debates Business Legal Studies
The Political Environment	Civics and Citizenship Ethical Debates Legal Studies
The Work Environment	Careers and Vocational Education Ethical Debates

Optional focus areas

Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Our economy	Economic Principles and Systems
Running a business	Understanding Business Marketing The World of Work Entrepreneurial Skills The World of Business Corporate Social Responsibility Leadership Skills Management (Coming in 2025) Workplace, Health and Safety (Coming in 2025) Customer Service (Coming in 2025) Workplace Law (Coming in 2025)
Promoting and selling	Marketing User Experience Design Communication Skills Negotiation Skills (Coming in 2025)
Investing	Cryptocurrency Investment (Coming in 2025) Individual Rights and Responsibilities (Coming in 2025)
Law in action	Australia’s Political and Legal System Democracy Crime and Deviance (Coming in 2025) The Law in Practice (Coming in 2025) Crime and Law (Coming in 2025) How Laws are Made (Coming in 2025) Criminal and Civil Law (Coming in 2025)
Political and community involvement	Australia’s Political and Legal System Democracy 2025 Australian Election (Coming in 2025) The Nature of the Law and Indigenous Peoples Elections (Coming in 2025) Australian Law (Coming in 2025) The Courts and the Legal System (Coming in 2025) Individual Rights and Responsibilities (Coming in 2025) Criminal and Civil Law (Coming in 2025) How Laws are Made (Coming in 2025)
The travel consumer	Global Tourism
Towards independence	Financial Literacy Personal Development Directory Individual Rights and Responsibilities (Coming in 2025) Using your Voice (Coming in 2025) Sustainable Development Goals (Coming in 2025)

PDHPE

Teachers of PDHPE, given the curriculum changes, you’ll no doubt be searching for content on:

• student safety in online and offline environments,
• more age-appropriate consent and respectful relationships, and
• self-management, interpersonal, and movement skills.

Take a look at the CilckView Topics and collections of Topics we’ve curated for you.

Core Focus Areas	ClickView Topics
Movement Skills and Strategies	Movement and Leadership Skills Training for Fitness and Performance
Health and Wellbeing through Physical Activity	Healthy Choices Movement and Leadership Skills
Safe, Active and Healthy Lifestyle Choices	Mental and Emotional Health Healthy Choices
Respectful Relationships	Respectful Relationships Online Safety Healthier Masculinities
Identity, Belonging and Change	Identity and Change

Electives

Last but not least, let’s not forget about Electives. We know that having engaging videos to help your Elective come alive is useful. So we’ve listed the Electives below and made some suggestions of ClickView Topics you explore to find some engaging videos and resources.

Elective	ClickView Topics
Big History	The History of the Universe
Critical Thinking	Research Skills Critical Thinking Innovation in Sport (Coming soon)
International Studies	Core topic: Understanding culture and diversity Australia’s Diverse Society Culture and beliefs: World Religions Ethical Debates Religion and Spirituality in Contemporary Society (Coming soon) Indigenous Spiritual Beliefs and Practices (Coming soon) Culture and sport: 2024 Paris Olympics 2026 Milan Winter Olympics (Coming soon) National Identity and Sport (Coming soon) Gender and Sport (Coming soon)
iSTEM	Earth and Space Science Artificial Intelligence Cyber Security (Coming soon)
Outdoor Education	Sustainable Development Goals Movement and Leadership Skills Resilience Growth Mindset Topographical Maps Healthy Living
Philosophy	Ethics and Philosophy
Psychology	Earth and Space Science Artificial Intelligence Cyber Security (Coming soon)

So there you have it. While most subjects are seeing some big shifts, these changes are totally manageable. As teachers, we adapt—it’s what we do. Honestly, like most curriculum updates, it’s a bit of reshuffling and a lot of tweaking lesson plans, but nothing that should make us lose sleep over student outcomes.

I hope you find ClickView Topics helpful in saving you time and making resourcing your lessons a little easier while navigating these curriculum changes. We’re releasing new ClickView Topics every week so make sure you check in on ClickView regularly for the latest releases.