Asian perspectives

The National Goals for Schooling in the Twenty-First Century recognise the importance of education in helping young people understand their roles and responsibilites as members of Australian, regional and global communities. Developing student understanding of ideas and values underpinning Asian societies will prepare Australians for the future.

Australia has a long history of contact with Asia, beginning with contact with Aboriginal peoples. Asian peoples have played a significant roles in the development of Australia. Australia's role within the region is diverse and includes travel, communications, trade, cultural exchange, security, economic alliances, education, migration, environment, scientific research, trade and commerce, health, aid, law, religion and sport among others.

The HSIE K-6 syllabus provides opportunities for students to learn about their region, Asia-Pacific, and the influcences that people from Asian countries have had on Australian society and culture.

In exploring Australia's identity and the cultural diversity of Australia, students learn about:

the cultural characteristics of families
customs and celebrations, major world religions
cultural diversity of Australia and other nations
communities, regions and environments in Australia and the world

Students should be given opportunities to study other countries in their region and compare and contrast with Australia.

Resources to support the inclusion of Asian perspectives in the teaching of HSIE

Access Asia

Relevant stage(s): Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3

The Access Asia Program consists of schools that seek to develop a significant Asia focus in the curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12.

These schools work towards the inclusion of planned and identifiable components of studies of Asia in school teaching and learning programs.

The Access Asia program provides:

a framework and a process through which Asia-focused curriculum change will occur in schools
support and professional development for teachers
curriculum materials in print and electronic form

Teaching resources

Ambush in Bandhavgarh: Tigers and the management of their habitat

NEW - Stage 3 teaching and learning program for Ambush in Bandhavgarh. Click here.

Ambush in Bandhavgarh is a 48 page book that details both the life of tigers as part of a fragile ecosystem, as well as a case study outlining the management of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, an area in India where these beautiful animals are fighting extinction. The book complements content in the Stage 3 HSIE Environment strand.

Ambush in Bandhavgarh is a result of a close association teachers in the NSW Studies of Asia program have had with the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve over a number of years. It includes beautiful photographs of the reserve from Vivek Sharma, a naturalist working in the area.

The book will be available to all schools for a cost of $77 (GST inclusive) for a pack of 30 books. Please complete the attached tax invoice. Fax Back Invoice.

China Downunder

China Downunder is a multistage HSIE teaching resource. The teacher’s book provides significant support for teaching and learning in Stages 1, 2 and 3. Detailed teaching notes, handouts and background information specific to each stage are included. A class set of 30 booklets providing interesting and engaging images of contemporary China are also part of the resource.

Download Teachers book (pdf 3MB)

Download Part 1 of the student image booklet (pdf 57 MB)

Download Part 2 of the student image booklet (pdf 54MB)

Some additional class sets of the student image booklet only are now available. Schools (from all sectors) can request a set of images booklets for their school library by emailing hsie@det.nsw.edu.au with the name of contact teacher, school name and postal details. Additional copies of the teachers book are no longer available and will need to be downloaded from the link above.

Where the sun rises ……

Is a unit of work about people and life in Japan designed for Stage 1. A set of student image booklets accompanied the teachers book when it was distributed to all government and Access Asia schools. The student booklet is not available online. Where the sun rises supports aspects of all content strands.

Teachers book: Where the sun rises (pdf 1.07mb)

Student image booklet: Where the sun rises (pdf 3.53mb)

Pak Yono's paddy field: Growing rice in Indonesia

Is a big book about an Indonesian family, in Java, who grow rice. The book shows the rice growing cycle and the work undertaken by Pak Yono and his family as part of their daily lives. A teachers booklet provides focus question on the text and background information for teachers. This resource supplements the Social Systems and Structure strand.

Copies of Pak Yono's paddy field can be ordered.
Download order form

Conditions of use | Help | Contact us
Report incorrect, out-of-date or missing information

NSW Department of Education and Training