What we teach (curriculum)

In their first year of school, students learn from their teachers and through their interactions with others. They experiment, practise and play in the classroom and school community.

Priority is given to literacy and numeracy development as these are the foundations upon which further learning is built. There are opportunities to develop literacy and numeracy in all subjects and particularly in English and Mathematics.

Becoming an active and engaged learner, ready to learn from and with others is key to a successful first year at school.

Find out more about the Australian Curriculum's learning goals for kindergarten.

In years 1 and 2, priority is given to the important areas of literacy and numeracy development. English and Mathematics are the core subjects for this, but literacy and numeracy are found in all subjects.

By the end of year 2, students have a much stronger understanding of themselves and have begun to connect with the wider community.

Find out more about the Australian Curriculum's learning goals for years 1 and 2.

In years 3 and 4, students become more independent. They communicate with others more effectively.

English and Mathematics continue to be a priority, and literacy and numeracy are developed across all learning areas. The curriculum further builds students’ essential knowledge and skills in literacy, consolidating learning to read and write.

Find out more about the Australian Curriculum's learning goals for years 3 and 4.

In years 5 and 6, students learn to take positive actions for their wellbeing. They relate to and communicate well with others. They ask challenging questions and seek answers.

Students make informed decisions and act responsibly. The development of digital literacy skills increases across the curriculum at this level.

Find out more about the Australian Curriculum's learning goals for years 5 and 6.

In year 7 students start high school, which presents new organisational and personal challenges. The Australian Curriculum is taught mostly by subject-specialist teachers.

At this age, there is a focus on developing students’ abilities to maintain personal health and wellbeing, and manage personal relationships.

Find out more about the Australian Curriculum's learning goals for years 7 and 8.

In years 9 and 10, learning across the curriculum prepares students for civic, social and economic participation outside of school.

Students are provided with opportunities to make choices about learning and specialise in areas that interest them through elective (optional) subjects.

At this point, students bring together their knowledge and experience to consider possible pathways for study in senior secondary school and vocational education.

Find out more about the Australian Curriculum's learning goals for years 9 and 10.

The Chief Minister's Reading Challenge is an annual event that encourages and promotes a love of reading. Students challenge themselves to read a set number of books within a given time period.

The Challenge is open to all ACT schools, from preschool to year 12.

Find out more about the Chief Minister's Reading Challenge.

We deliver a range of initiatives in our public schools aimed at promoting healthy living.

These include:

• Healthy School Network – a collaboration of local not-for-profits that actively promotes health and wellbeing in ACT schools and connects schools to supporting community services.
• Kids at Play Active Play – provides physical activity and screen time information, tips and resources to families, educators, early childhood education and care services and schools.
• Ride or Walk to School – provides ACT schools with resources to teach students how to cycle safely and independently to school to increase active travel rates and improve safety on our roads around schools.

The ACT Instrumental Music Program (IMP) is delivered to students in public primary schools and high schools throughout the ACT.

The program complements the general music education offered in schools. It gives selected students the opportunity to experience playing a musical instrument in a group setting.

Primary school students in Years 5/6 are selected to learn to play woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. As an alternative, ukulele programs are offered in some primary schools. High school students have the opportunity to join IMP-supported concert bands in participating schools.

The IMP also operates after-hours extension ensembles including concert and jazz bands, choirs and a percussion ensemble. These ensembles rehearse and perform regularly and include students attending public schools throughout the ACT. Membership in many of these extension groups is by audition.

Find out more about the Instrumental Music Program.

In the ACT, you must complete a pre-learner licence course as part of getting your learner driver licence.

Our public schools offer this course free to students in years 10 to 12.

Held over 2 days, by teachers qualified to deliver the course, students learn about road rules, road safety and how to be a responsible driver.

Students can also do optional courses (outside of school) that count towards the driving hours you need to get an ACT provisional licence:

• Learner Driver First Aid Program
• Safe Driver Course
• Vulnerable Road User Program.

Learn more about getting a learner or provisional driver licence.

If your child attends a public school, you can request that they receive education in a particular religion.

You school principal is responsible for:

• organising this with the relevant religious body
• how the school delivers the religious education program.

Find out more in the Religious Education in ACT Public Schools Policy.

Science Mentors ACT gives public school students in years 9 to 12 the chance to work with science and engineering professionals on extended, student-driven investigations.

Through Science Mentors ACT, students gain a genuine science and engineering experience. They get to:

• work with a professional scientist or engineer in a field of their choice
• develop experimental, analytical and evaluative skills specific to their chosen field
• gain experience and skills writing professional level science reports.

For more details, or if you would like to be involved as a student or mentor, email sciencementors@act.gov.au.

Step into the Limelight is the ACT’s annual creative and performing arts showcase for public schools.

More than 2000 students, from primary school through to college, work closely with their teachers, professional artists, tertiary institutions and arts organisations to develop outstanding artistic works for 2 major events: the Art Exhibition and Gala Showcase.

Art Exhibition

The Art Exhibition showcases outstanding student work in painting, drawing, ceramics, print-making, collage, photography, textiles, fashion, sculpture, wood and metal craft. Teachers at participating schools select the student artwork to be exhibited.

Gala Showcase

The Gala Showcase is a variety style show which delivers outstanding artistry in dance, drama, music, circus and media arts. It features state-of-the-art sound, lighting and staging.

There are performance opportunities for school groups and individual students:

• School groups apply to perform in collaborative items. Teachers determine which students participate.

• Individual students audition to perform as a member of the Step into the Limelight Performing Company. Students can pursue these opportunities independently of their school and teachers.

Find out more about Step into the Limelight.