Human society and its environment

In human society and its environment (HSIE), the subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10, where students study specific historical and geographical concepts and skills.

In HSIE, students explore varied subjects in human society and its environment to learn about history, geography, people, societies and culture.

Students also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects.

A large number of individual subjects make up the key learning area of HSIE in which students:

research, gather and analyse information
question and make judgements
write for a variety of purposes.

HSIE develops particular skills in acquiring information, using and inquiry process and in social and civic participation. HSIE also contributes to the development of skills from other key learning areas, such as reading, writing, graphing, designing, making and visually representing an idea or viewpoint.

The NSW Geography K-10 Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum can be found on the National Educational Standards Authority (NESA) website.

The Geography Stage Statements give parents an overview of the learning in Geography in each stage of learning from Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) through to Stage 3 (Year 5 and 6).

The NSW History K-10 Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum can be found on the National Educational Standards Authority (NESA) website.

The History Stage Statements give parents an overview of the learning in History in each stage of learning from Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) through to Stage 3 (Year 5 and 6).