Key learning areas

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 accelerated in Information Processes & Technology, Chemistry, Geography and Society and Culture.

In Year 7 and 8, students study:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• History (Semesterised)
• Geography (Semesterised)
• Technology Mandatory
• Music (Semesterised)
• Visual Arts (Semesterised)
• Drama
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
• Languages (French and Japanese)
• WLST (Wellbeing Period)

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Geography
• History
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
• WLST (Wellbeing Period)

Students also choose to study three elective subjects in Year 9 and 10 from the following elective choices:

• Commerce
• Drama
• Food Technology
• French
• Industrial Technology Engineering
• Information and Software Technologies
• Information Processing and Technologies
• Japanese
• Music
• Photographic and Digital Media
• Physical Activity and Sport Studies
• Visual Arts
• Visual Design

In Year 10, students are offered a fourth elective as part of a new curriculum initiative to broaden their learning opportunities. This will be in addition the three electives that they have already chosen. This model provides a chance for students to engage in a subject of interest, talent or passion, or another chance to participate in a course that was not available to them in Year 9. In 2023, the following were fourth elective subject choices:

• Elective History
• Music Technology
• Scientific Research Methods
• Photogram to Instagram

In Year 11 and 12, all students across NSW must study English, and additionally engage in the fortnightly WLST (Wellbeing Period) lessson. 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:

• Aboriginal Studies
• Ancient History
• Biology
• Business Studies
• Chemistry
• Drama
• Economics
• Engineering Studies
• English Extension 1
• English Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
• Geography (Accelerated)
• French Continuers
• Investigating Science
• Japanese Continuers
• Japanese Extension (Year 12 only)
• Legal Studies
• Mathematics Advanced
• Mathematics Extension 1
• Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
• Modern History
• Music 1
• Music 2
• Music Extension (Year 12 only)
• PDHPE
• Philosophy (Year 11 only)
• Physics
• Society and Culture (Accelerated)
• Software Design and Development
• Visual Arts