Life Skills Courses - Special Program of Study

The Government's White Paper for the Higher School Certificate, Securing Their Future, included a commitment to extend the curriculum and reporting arrangements that were established for the School Certificate to HSC students with special education needs. Each Life Skills course comprises a 2 Unit Preliminary course and a 2 Unit HSC course. There will not be an external examination for Life Skills courses.

The aim of English Life Skills is to enhance the participation of students with special education needs in all aspects of post-school life and promote their independence through the development of effective communication and literacy skills.

In English Life Skills students will:

• develop knowledge about and skills in effective communication
• develop knowledge about, appreciation of and skills in spoken language
• develop understanding and skills in listening to others
• develop skills in reading, comprehending, interpreting and responding to a variety of texts
• develop knowledge about and skills in producing texts using a variety of media and technology
• develop knowledge about and skills in viewing and interpreting a range of materials.

The aim of Mathematics Life Skills is to develop students' ability to apply mathematics in a variety of contexts in order to enhance and encourage their participation in post-school life.

Students will:

• develop an awareness of mathematics as an essential part of everyday living
• develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to apply numeration and number operations in practical daily situations
• develop knowledge and understanding of the impact of time on whole-of-life activities and skills in time management
• develop knowledge and understanding of shapes, direction and the position of objects in space
• develop knowledge and understanding and skills that enhance their handling and management of money
• develop skills in the practical application of measurement tools and units.

The aim of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Life Skills is to develop in students the values and attitudes, knowledge, understanding and skills that will enable them to lead healthy, active and productive lives.

In Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Life Skills, students will:

• develop knowledge, understanding and skills in the management of issues related to personal growth and development
• develop knowledge and understanding in order to make informed health and lifestyle decisions
• develop skills, and informed and responsible values and attitudes, that enhance the quality of interpersonal relationships
• develop knowledge, understanding and skills relating to safe living practices
• develop knowledge, understanding and skills that facilitate participation in a range of leisure activities
• develop the knowledge and skills to engage in a range of outdoor recreational pursuits.

The aim of Citizenship and Society Life Skills is to develop in students the knowledge and understanding, skills, values and attitudes that will enable them to participate as individuals in all aspects of Australian society.

In Citizenship and Society Life Skills, students will:

• develop knowledge and understanding of the rights, responsibilities and roles of individuals and groups who fulfil community roles
• develop informed and responsible attitudes towards social, cultural and environmental features of Australian society
• develop knowledge and skills that facilitate access to a range of activities in living, work and leisure environments
• develop knowledge and understanding of the structures, roles, responsibilities decision-making processes and fair and socially just principles of government
• develop knowledge and understanding of the significance of particular people, places, groups, actions and events in the past in developing Australian identities and heritage
• develop knowledge and understanding of the significance of current key people, events and issues in determining Australia's identity and future in the world.

Science Life Skills is designed to:

• develop knowledge and understanding of the relationship between people and the natural environment
• develop skills and responsible attitudes that enable students to use and manage the earth's resources in everyday living situations.

In Science Life Skills, students will:

• develop knowledge and understanding of the earth's natural environment through observation of changing phenomena
• develop knowledge and understanding through investigating living things and their interaction with the environment
• develop knowledge, understanding, skills and values in the use and management of the earth's resources
• develop knowledge, skills and a positive attitude towards the use of plants as an essential component of the environment
• develop knowledge, understanding and skills to care for and manage animals in a socially and environmentally responsible manner
• develop knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to the use of energy in daily living situations

The aim of Creative Arts Life Skills is to develop in students an awareness and understanding of the visual arts, music, drama, and dance that offer creative opportunities for self expression and personal choice, communication, and the sharing of cultural views. These opportunities should contribute to students' appreciation of the arts, their quality and enjoyment of life and assist them to prepare for various post- schooling opportunities.

In Creative Arts Life Skills students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills which are suited to their abilities, needs and interests. They will engage in one or more of the following:

• a range of musical experiences in listening, responding, making and performing
• a range of dance and movement experiences
• a range of drama experiences in making, performing and appreciating
• making and appreciating artworks made in two-dimensional forms (painting, drawing, photography and printmaking)
• making and appreciating artworks made in three-dimensional forms (ceramics, sculpture, fibre and other three-dimensional forms)
• making and appreciating artworks made with electronic media (video, scanning, photocopying etc).

The aim of Technological and Applied Studies Life Skills is to develop in students the knowledge, skills and confidence to become informed, responsible individuals, and to facilitate and maximise their participation in a technological world.

In Technological and Applied Studies Life Skills students will:

• develop knowledge about and skills in the use of technology for a variety of purposes across a range of environments
• develop knowledge about and skills in the use of resources to plan and prepare meals in a range of situations
• develop knowledge about and skills in the safe use of a range of materials, tools and machinery for a variety of purposes
• develop knowledge and understanding of and skills in home management in order to facilitate independent living
• develop knowledge about and skills in the care and maintenance of clothing in order to enhance personal presentation
• develop knowledge and understanding of and skills in the safe use and maintenance of appliances and machinery in a variety of situations.

The aim of Work and the Community Life Skills is to provide students with the skills, knowledge, understanding, values and attitudes they need for employment, participation and independence in the community.

In Work and the Community Life Skills, students will:

• develop knowledge and understanding of the nature, patterns, concepts and variety of work
• develop individual knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes that enhance effective participation in workplace and community-based learning
• develop knowledge, skills and understanding to clarify issues, choices and options relating to workplace learning
• learn about the nature of work through experience in workplace environments
• participate successfully in ongoing workplace and community-based learning and apply knowledge and skills in new situations
• learn about specific employment or community-based learning options through planned, progressive participation in a range of environments.

A syllabus is a document that gives teachers an outline of what students are to be taught in a specific learning area.

The syllabus and other supporting material for Life Skills Courses - Special Program of Study 11-12 are available from the Board of Studies.