Human Society and Its Environment

Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) seeks to develop within children an understanding of the social and physical world in which they live, enabling them to function within it as just and active citizens. The NSW HSIE K-6 Syllabus organises the curriculum content across four strands, namely Change & Continuity, Cultures, Environments and Social Systems & Structures. Students learn in HSIE through using an inquiry process of gathering, analysing, synthesising and applying information.

Subject matter in HSIE and Science and Technology can sometimes interrelate and often provides a meaningful context to facilitate learning of content and skills in other Key Learning Areas such as English, Mathematics and Creative Arts. Most grade excursions are chosen to support learning in either HSIE or Science and Technology.

A strong influence in teaching in this Key Learning Area and in Religious Education is the place of 'Values for Australian Schooling'