Term 4, 2026

Programming for the Web

13 Oct – 17 Dec 2026 · Weeks 1–10

Term 1, 2027

Secure Software Architecture

28 Jan – 9 Apr 2027 · Weeks 11–22

Term 2, 2027

Software Automation

26 Apr – 2 Jul 2027 · Weeks 23–30

Term dates follow the official NSW Department of Education 2026–2027 calendar (Eastern Division) and are confirmed each term. Secure Software Architecture is the most content-dense strand, so its final units occasionally run a little past the nominal Term 1 end date. See Pricing for how terms are billed.

Free: Full Scope & Sequence Document

The complete planning document behind this curriculum: every syllabus dot point mapped to its week, NESA course learning outcomes, term dates, and full acknowledgements. The same document used to write every booklet.

Download the Scope & Sequence (PDF)
Term 4, 2026 · Weeks 1–10

Programming for the Web

How the internet actually works: from data packets and protocols to front-end/back-end architecture, databases, and building a progressive web app.

WeekTopicOutcomes
01Applications of Web Programming: interactive sites, e-commerce, progressive web appsSE-12-01, 03, 06
02How Data Moves on the Internet: packets, IP addressing, DNSSE-12-03
03Web Protocols, Ports & Secure Transport: HTTP/HTTPS, SSL/TLS, encryption, digital signaturesSE-12-03, 04, 07
04Big Data & Web Architectures: data mining, metadata, streamingSE-12-03, 06
05The Role of the W3C & Web Standards: accessibility, internationalisation, privacySE-12-01, 05
06Modelling a Web Development System: client-side vs server-side, SQL/NoSQLSE-12-02, 06
07Browser Influence, Dev Tools & CSS/UI-UX PrinciplesSE-12-01, 06
08Front-End Libraries/Frameworks, Version Control & Open-Source CMSSE-12-01, 05, 06
09Back-End Request Flow & Databases: SQL scripting, joins, ORMSE-12-02, 06, 07, 08
10Page-Load Performance & Designing a PWA: accessible UI/UXSE-12-01, 03, 06
Term 1, 2027 · Weeks 11–22

Secure Software Architecture

Security by design: from the business case for secure software through to cryptography, input validation, secure APIs, real vulnerability classes, and the ethics of security failures.

WeekTopicOutcomes
11The Business Case for SecuritySE-12-01, 05
12Integrating Security into the SDLCSE-12-01, 02, 07
13User-Centred Security DesignSE-12-01, 05
14Security Fundamentals: CIA Triad & AAASE-12-04, 07
15Cryptography & Data ProtectionSE-12-04, 07
16Input Validation & SanitisationSE-12-07, 08
17Privacy by DesignSE-12-04, 05
18Secure API DesignSE-12-02, 06, 07
19Secure Execution & Resource ManagementSE-12-07, 08
20Security Testing & Web Vulnerabilities: XSS, CSRF, SAST/DAST, pen testingSE-12-07, 08
21Security in Development Teams & Enterprise BenefitsSE-12-01, 05, 06
22Security Ethics, Legal Ramifications & Evaluating Security ProgramsSE-12-01, 05, 06
Term 2, 2027 · Weeks 23–30

Software Automation

AI, machine learning and automation: from RPA/BPA and training models through to building regression models and neural networks in Python, and the ethics of automation and bias.

WeekTopicOutcomes
23AI vs ML: and where RPA/BPA fitSE-12-03, 06
24ML Training Models: supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, reinforcementSE-12-06
25Common ML Applications: forecasting, virtual assistants, image recognitionSE-12-03, 06
26Design Models: decision trees, neural networks, regression algorithmsSE-12-06
27RPA & BPA: practical, ethical & security considerationsSE-12-01, 05, 06
28Programming for Automation: regression models & neural networks in PythonSE-12-02, 06
29Significance & Impact of ML/AI on society, and human behaviour patternsSE-12-05
30Bias in Datasets & Models, plus full course consolidationSE-12-05
Optional add-on

Software Engineering Project (SE-12-09)

The fourth strand of the syllabus (the Major Project) is assessed separately from the three content strands above, so it's offered as an optional 1:1 add-on rather than folded into the weekly group class. Sessions cover the full project lifecycle:

Identifying & Defining

Scoping a project that's achievable and marks well

Research & Planning

Requirements, algorithms, and project management artefacts

Producing & Implementing

Build support, debugging, and code review

Testing & Evaluating

Test plans, evidence, and self-assessment against the marking criteria

Major Project Help: $249 one-off

3 individual 1-hour sessions, booked around your schedule. Available to any enrolled student, any term.

See full pricing
Assessment Practice

Cumulative testing at every stage

Beyond the weekly booklets, students work through end-of-strand topic tests and a full trial HSC exam, all built from the same syllabus mapping.

Topic Test 1

Programming for the Web · Weeks 1–10

46 marks

Topic Test 2

Secure Software Architecture · Weeks 11–22

64 marks

Topic Test 3

Software Automation · Weeks 23–30

47 marks

Trial HSC Examination

A comprehensive 79-mark, 2.5-hour trial exam spanning all three strands proportionally, including a final synthesis question that draws on all three at once, modelled on real HSC trial exam structure and conventions.

Download the free version

Ready to see a full week for yourself?

Download a free sample teaching booklet and the full trial HSC exam. No enrolment required.