Students will learn English through explicit teaching of language and through their immersion in a diverse range of purposeful and increasingly demanding and sophisticated language experiences. They develop clear and precise skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing and representing, and knowledge and understanding of language forms and features and structures of texts which are appropriate to their needs, interests and abilities.

In each Stage students undertake the study of at least 2 works of fiction, film/video/DVD, non-fiction and drama, and a wide range of poetry. These texts give students experience of Australian literature, including Aboriginal and multi-cultural, literature from other countries and times, Shakespeare, popular culture, picture books and workplace texts, all in a wide range of social, gender and cultural perspectives.

ENGLISH ELECTIVES

Students in Year 7 who exhibit exceptional English skills and abilities may be considered for the English Acceleration Program. This involves students at the commencement of Year 8 accelerating into the cohort ahead and completing their HSC English one or more years ahead of their own year group. Students may also be considered for acceleration later in Stages 4 and 5.

We offer two electives which build on and extend the skills of the core English courses:

1. Creative Writing further develops student writing skills, especially imaginative writing. This is a compulsory course for Accelerated students.

2. Film and Television Studies offers students broad choice in responding to and composing texts related to these mediums.

ENGLISH SENIOR STUDY

Senior students extend and refine their imaginative and interpretative skills and abilities through studying increasingly more complex texts. They develop knowledge and understanding of the role and function of literary conventions and mediums and how these influence the shape and nature of meaning. Students apply this knowledge to develop communication skills in post-secondary contexts for personal, academic, workplace and social purposes.

All students must study two units of Advanced English in Year 11 and Year 12, a course designed for students to undertake the challenge of higher-order thinking.Students apply critical and creative skills in their composition of and response to texts in order to develop their understanding of the nature and function of complex texts.

Students wishing to undertake study at a more intensive level may also choose Extension English, a one unit course. This course engages students with complex level of conceptualisation as well as independent learning.

Successful Extension Year 11 students may choose to study Extension 2 in Year 12, a higher level course of independent study and research. This course is for students with a special interest and aptitude in English and involves the composition of an extensive major work.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

We provide a wide variety of opportunities for students to showcase their Public Speaking and Debating skills and we continue to succeed at the Regional, State and National levels.

The school participates in the following Public Speaking Competitions:-

* UNYA,
* Plain English Senior,
* Legacy Junior,
* South Coast, and
* Lions Youth of the Year

and Debating Competitions:-

* Premier’s State Debating (Years 8, 10 and 12)
* Janine Best Memorial for Selective High Schools

We also participate in:-
* Tournament of Minds,
* Michael Kent Golden Globe,
* UNSW English Competition, and
* Many writing and poetry competitions