Aboriginal student support

We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students to help them be successful learners.

We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and carers, and community members to our schools so that we can get to know one another, learn about local Aboriginal communities and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.

Aboriginal education and communities

The role of the Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate is to advance education for Aboriginal students in public schools across New South Wales.

The Aboriginal Education Policy confirms the NSW Department of Education's commitment to improvement in educational outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Visit the resources for parents and carers of Aboriginal students page for more information.

Multicultural education

The Multicultural Education Policy outlines the NSW Department of Education's commitment to providing opportunities that enable all students to achieve equitable education and social outcomes and participate successfully in our culturally diverse society.

The Anti-Racism Policy confirms the department's commitment to rejecting all forms of racial discrimination in NSW public schools and eliminating expressions of racism in its learning and working environments.

For more information visit:

• Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2022
• Multicultural education
• Anti-racism education
• Interpreting and translations
• Translated documents.

Supporting students with a disability

Suggestions on timetabling, communicating with families and using technology to support students with a disability in learning at home.

Ideas for literacy and numeracy activities as well as links to distance education programs and external links to resources for learning at home.

Educating students with English as an additional language or dialect

EAL/D specialist teaching needs to be integrated as far as possible within different subjects. This supports students to learn the specific language, including the vocabulary, text types and communication modes that are appropriate and necessary for different disciplines and curriculum areas.

The following information will help all teachers support their students with English as an additional language or dialect in learning at home.

Supporting high potential and gifted students

All schools have high potential and gifted students. School leaders and teachers need to ensure that learning experiences meet the needs of these students across all domains of potential: intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical.

Read Supporting high potential and gifted students for more details about the department's policies and how schools are supported by professional learning programs.