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.
Why choose us for your child’s learning?
We are a vibrant, inclusive co-educational secondary school (Years 7-12) that celebrates diversity and welcomes students from all backgrounds. Our supportive community empowers every student to thrive and achieve their full potential.
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.
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.
Explore how we teach the NSW curriculum through key learning areas.
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Human Society & Its Environment
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Creative and Performing Arts
- Languages
- Technologies and Applied Studies
At our school, students can take part in special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE) classes, depending on what’s available. These classes are delivered by approved providers.
When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the approved providers offered at our school. Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.
You’re welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing or use the online form.
For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.
At our school, we give the right support to help gifted learners to grow and do their best.
We identify 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.
Contact us to learn more about how we support high potential and gifted learners.
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.
Help with Homework
Homework is often a revision of what is covered in class. As well as regular weekly homework, your child may have assessments such as assignments or projects with due dates.
Our Homework Centre runs each Wednesday in the library from 3.15-5pm. Staff from various faculties are available to assist with homework and assessment tasks. Afternoon tea is provided and it is a great way to receive a little extra support and advice!
A key to success is being organised. To avoid Thursday night meltdowns about incomplete homework, read our homework tips.
These tips are relevant for all students Kindergarten to Year 12.
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Ask your child about their homework, know what they are learning about and when assignments are due.
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Use our term assessment planner (DOCX 53.57KB) to record when assessments and exams are scheduled so you can help your child prepare in advance. Make to-do lists to spread out the workload.
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Get into a routine of doing homework at a set time, ideally a little each day.
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Have a set place where children can do their homework, with the equipment they’ll need:
- pens and pencils
- highlighters
- scissors
- glue
- scrap paper
- ruler
- calculator
- printing paper
- computer and internet access
- a printer.
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Turn mobiles to airplane mode or off so there are no disruptions.
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If there’s no set homework, encourage your child to do some reading. For younger children, it’s great for them to read aloud to you. For older children, ask them to tell you about what they have been reading.
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Don’t jump in and give answers. Homework is about helping children become independent learners.
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Encourage your child to start assignments as soon as they receive them – this will reduce any night-before stress.
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Your child needs to do their own projects and assignments. There’s no point submitting work done by anyone other than the student. Teachers need to know what students can do independently.
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If your child is having difficulty with their homework, contact their class teacher for help.
- For help understanding terms used in English, visit English A to Zopen_in_new.
- For help understanding terms used in mathematics, visit Maths A to Zopen_in_new.
Studying at High School
Once in high school, regular study becomes more important. Study time is completely different to doing set homework.
There is no one ‘best’ way to study. Students often find different methods and times to study to suit themselves. The key is regular study, not cramming before a test or exam.
Some suggestions for effective study time include:
- no mobile device use – no social media, messaging or calls during study time
- finish any homework for the day before starting study – remember they are separate
- focus on one topic at a time
- highlight class notes or handouts
- prepare summaries in your own words to revise concepts and skills learnt in class
- draw diagrams, mind maps or brainstorms to show the main ideas and links between them
- explain a topic or key concept to someone else
- prepare glossaries of technical language for the topic or course, include examples of appropriate use
- memorise short quotes
- read summaries aloud – you can record yourself and play them back while travelling
- write key concepts on flash cards with an explanation on the back to use for quick recall testing
- read widely about topics being studied – add any new information or quotes to your summary (remember, when you use words or passages from a source such as a book, article or website you must reference them and use quotation marks).
The best study is active study – not just reading pages and pages of notes. Try creating summaries and lists, drawing mind maps, practising answering questions, teaching someone else about a topic and so on. Active study helps move content from short-term to long-term memory. When reading over notes, try to read them aloud.
A study timetable can be useful to help high school students plan time each week revising work covered in class.
This is an example of a completed study timetable (DOCX 56.59KB)open_in_new for a Year 11 student.
We provide detailed information to students about what we expect from them throughout the year and how their work will be assessed. Students have a number of formal assessments throughout their schooling.
- National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)open_in_new – reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, punctuation and grammar) and numeracy tests for students in Years 7 and 9. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) holds the tests in May each year. Results and student reports are released in August.
- Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID)open_in_new – online diagnostic science assessments for students in Year 8. Some schools also choose to sit the tests in Year 10.
- The Record of School Achievement (RoSA)open_in_new is awarded to eligible students who leave school before completing their Higher School Certificate. The RoSA records a student’s grades between the end of Year 10 and when they leave school.
- The Higher School Certificate (HSC)open_in_new is an internationally recognised qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in NSW.
- Some students may apply for placement in a selective high school. For more information, visit selective high schools and opportunity classesopen_in_new.
Assessment and Reporting
Our teachers use a variety of strategies to assess student learning.
Teachers observe students' work in class and look closely at tasks throughout the year. They also formally assess a student's achievement based on the outcomes described in the syllabus of the subject.
As a parent or carer, you’ll receive a written report twice a year. It gives you a clear picture of your child’s achievements – what they know and can do.
In Years 7 to 10, we use the common grade scaleopen_in_new in reporting. In Year 11, we use the Preliminary grade scaleopen_in_new.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are assessed on achievement of competencies.
We provide detailed information to students about what we expect from them throughout the year and how their work will be assessed. Students have a number of formal assessments throughout their schooling.
- National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)open_in_new – reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, punctuation and grammar) and numeracy tests for students in Years 7 and 9. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) holds the tests in May each year. Results and student reports are released in August.
- Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID)open_in_new – online diagnostic science assessments for students in Year 8. Some schools also choose to sit the tests in Year 10.
- The Record of School Achievement (RoSA)open_in_new is awarded to eligible students who leave school before completing their Higher School Certificate. The RoSA records a student’s grades between the end of Year 10 and when they leave school.
- The Higher School Certificate (HSC)open_in_new is an internationally recognised qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in NSW.
- Some students may apply for placement in a selective high school. For more information, visit selective high schools and opportunity classesopen_in_new.
Subject Requirements
Want to know more about our subjects?
We can connect you with the right teacher or staff member.
Student opportunities and activities
At Nowra HIgh School, we offer a a range of programs both within the classroom and across the school aimed to help students build new skills, make new freidnships and explore new interests.
Our programs may include:
- school sport and inter-school competitions
- creative and performing arts groups and showcases
- cultural and language programs
- lunchtime and interest-based clubs
- excursions and incursions
- student leadership opportunities
- public speaking and debating
- activities that support high potential and gifted learners.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to find out what is available and how your child/ren can get involved.
Our principal and staff
Get to know our principal and staff, who work together to create a positive school culture.