Stages of Learning refers to identified groups of school years that students transition though. Each Key Learning Area has a set of stage statements that progress from the previous stage. These stage statements are summaries of the knowledge, skills, understanding, values and attitudes that have been developed by students as a result of achieving the outcomes for each stage of learning.

Stage 5 students will be enrolled in six Core Courses listed below as well as express their preferences for Elective Courses. The school will then gather elective course preferences and create elective course lines according to course popularity, viability and staffing entitlements.

All students are entitled to participate in and progress through the curriculum. Years 7–10 courses based on Life Skills outcomes and content and Years 11–12 Life Skills courses provide options for students with disability who cannot access the regular course outcomes, particularly students with an intellectual disability.

Click here to access more information about eligibility and course options for Life Skills,

EAL/D students are those whose first language is a language or dialect other than English and who require additional support to develop proficiency.

Based on ACARA EAL/D Teacher Resource, EAL/D learners are students:

• whose first language is a language or dialect other than standard Australian English

• who require additional support to assist them to develop English language proficiency

• with a diverse range of backgrounds and English language learning needs

• who enter school with varying levels of education

• born in Australia or have recently arrived as permanent or temporary migrants, refugees or international students

• with the same amount of formal schooling in their home country as their class peers while others have had severely disrupted or no schooling due to war or civil disorder. Some have literacy skills in their first language while others do not.

Additionally, in Stage 5, Mathematics has a unique syllabus which provides schools flexibility in the breadth and depth of topics covered. We have a dedicated IN_SYD Mathematics Pathways website that describes our approach. This is a separate process to the Elective course selection, which is the focus of this website.

Click here to visit the Mathematics Pathways website

When students move into Stage 6, there will be more information and guidance provided by the school. In the meantime, students and families can investigate Stage 6 options on the NESA website.

Click here to access the list of Stage 6 courses approved by NESA