Learning
At our school, we teach the NSW curriculum and offer many different subjects to support each student’s learning. We know that development of skills in literacy and numeracy are the building blocks for learning and for everyday life. Our teachers use effective teaching strategies to help students achieve their goals.
Year 7 and 8 students follow a compulsory curriculum that is largely determined by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Year 9 and 10 students follow a combination of mandatory and elective subjects. From Year 9 onwards, students can choose an increasing number of elective subjects for each stage.
In Years 11 and 12 students are prepared for the NSW Higher School Certificate. A broad range of courses are offered and the curriculum has a clear path to university entrance. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requires students to study a minimum of 12 units in Year 11 and 10 units in Year 12.
Senior Schooling consists of the Stage 6 Curriculum studied during Years 11 and 12. All students must study at least four different subjects totalling a minimum of 12 Units in Year 11 and 10 Units in Year 12 including 2 units of English.
Curriculum choice patterns are formulated from student needs. A small number of students can negotiate or are invited into acceleration in one subject. At Normanhurst Boys High School, students have opportunities to accelerate in Enterprise Computing during Years 9 and 10, and Chemistry during Years 10 and 11.
What students learn
Students learn a wide range of subjects in the NSW curriculum. They build skills, think creatively and prepare for life beyond school. Please click on the icons below for more information.
Stage 4
In Year 7 and 8, students study:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- History
- Geography
- Technology Mandatory
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Drama
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Languages (French and Japanese)
- Wellbeing Period
Stage 5
In Year 9 and 10, all students study:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Geography
- History
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Wellbeing Period
Students also choose to study three elective subjects in Year 9 and 10 from the following elective choices:
- Commerce
- Drama
- Elective Geography
- Elective History
- Food Technology
- French
- Industrial Technology - Engineering
- International Studies
- iSTEM
- Japanese
- Music
- Photographic and Digital Media
- Physical Activity and Sports Studies
- Visual Arts
- Visual Design
Stage 6
In Year 11 and 12, all students across NSW must study English, and additionally engage in the fortnightly Wellbeing Period lesson. On top of this, students must select a minimum of 12 units worth of courses to study for Year 11, and a minimum of 10 units for Year 12. The following course choices are offered to Year 11 and 12 students:
- Ancient History
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Drama
- Economics
- Engineering Studies
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- Enterprise Computing (Accelerated in Year 9 and 10)
- French Continuers
- Geography
- Health and Movement Science
- History Extension (Year 12 only)
- Japanese Continuers
- Legal Studies
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- Modern History
- Music 1
- Music 2
- Music Extension (Year 12 only)
- Physics
- Society and Culture
- Software Engineering
- Visual Arts
Why choose us for your child’s learning?
Strong foundations
We focus on the skills your child needs to succeed in school and beyond. This helps them feel confident and prepared for the future.
High-quality education
We offer a range of subjects to match what students enjoy and want to learn about. Our skilled teachers support every student to find what they love, do their best and succeed.
Inclusive and personalised learning
Our teachers adjust how they teach to suit your child’s needs, interests and learning pace. We make sure every student feels confident and supported.
Extension opportunities
Some students are ready for more challenges. We offer open-ended tasks, enrichment programs and support. We help all students to reach their full potential.
Our learning approach
Our school uses explicit teaching. This means we clearly tell students what they are learning, why it is important and how to do it step by step. Explicit teaching helps students understand new ideas by breaking them into smaller parts.
Learning at our school is student-centred, inclusive and practical. We are committed to equity and access. We support all learning styles and needs. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies. They take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.
Our learning approach includes:
- real-world learning: hands-on tasks, group work and exploring new ideas
- technology: to help students learn and build digital skills
- flexible teaching: the right support for each student, with a focus on wellbeing
- community connections: through excursions and local programs.
Helping students progress
We support every student’s academic progress by:
- checking their progress and giving clear and timely feedback
- setting learning goals with each student
- giving extra help with personalised plans and support from specialist staff
- reporting on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing
- providing targeted literacy and numeracy support in small groups
- making wellbeing part of everyday learning
- working with families to support learning at home and school
- helping students through transitions, like starting school or moving to a new stage of learning.
Learn more about additional learning support at our school.
Parents/caregivers in public schools have the right to have their children receive instruction in their preferred religious persuasion, where authorised teachers of that persuasion are available.
A special religious education program is available at the school and is run by Normanhurst Christian Education Association (NCEA). This is a combined group of Uniting, Baptist and Anglican churches within the local area. All of these organisations are on the Department of Education’s list of approved providers. Additional details of the program on offer at the school can be obtained from NCEA. Contact details of the NCEA program coordinator can be provided by the school if required.
Special religious education at Normanhurst Boys High School occurs during timetabled lessons on average once a fortnight. Students receive their SRE timetable at the beginning of each term via email.
Students whose parents have not given permission for them to attend special religious education are supervised in the Library.
Students continue in the same arrangement each year, unless a parent/caregiver has requested a change in writing. At any time, parents/caregivers have the right to change their son’s participation status in the SRE program. A note to the Principal will affect this change.
At our school, we give the right support to help gifted learners to grow and do their best.
We notice these students early. They may learn quickly or show strong skills in creativity, leadership, problem solving or sport. We help them stay challenged with lessons and activities that match their strengths.
Learn more about how we support high potential and gifted learners.
Student opportunities and activities
Discover clubs, sports and other activities your child can enjoy at school.
Our principal and staff
Get to know our principal and staff, who work together to create a positive school culture.