English

English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Students learn about the English language through written, spoken and visual texts of increasing complexity as they progress through their schooling.

An understanding of the English language is central to how we communicate and essential for intellectual, social and emotional development.

The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.

In Year 11 and 12, the study of English is mandatory. Courses offered include:

• English Advanced
• English as an Alternative Language or Dialect (EAL/D)
• English Extension 1
• English Extension 2
• English Standard
• English Life Skills

ENGLISH AT KU-RING-GAI HIGH SCHOOL

The implementation of future focused learning within the curriculum empowers students to become critical thinkers and effective communicators within a global context. Our qualified specialist teaching staff deliver student centred and innovative programs which equip young people with the necessary skills to succeed in our ever changing world. Collectively and individually our students are empowered to be creative and critical thinkers with the ability to analyse, and evaluate real world situations.

Our students are exposed to the latest educational technology which enables them to respond and craft responses in a variety of forms and media. The units in 7-12 offer a well-balanced selection of texts, which range from the classics through to contemporary literature, including novels, plays, poetry, film, documentaries and multimodal texts.

Our innovative and flexible 21st century teaching and learning programs are designed and driven by the latest research in education; this ensures quality teaching and academic enrichment. 

Students at Ku-ring-gai High School are privileged to be surrounded by beautiful grounds bordering the National Park. Our extensive grounds serve as wonderful teaching environments which are conducive to creativity and learning. Our fully equipped classrooms have the latest technology which facilitates student learning and allows for student compositions, both creative and analytical, to be expressed in a variety of media and forms. Our future focused differentiated delivery of quality teaching and learning programs extends young people to attain a deep level of understanding of themselves and the world in which they live.

Subjects Currently offered by the English Faculty include:

Year 7
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Stage 4 Mandatory

• Genre study - Heroes, myths and legends
• Narrative - Film study
• Introduction to Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
• Australian poetry

Year 8
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Stage 4 Mandatory

• Genre study - Science fiction and Fantasy
• Poetry from different cultures
• Drama - Shakespeare's comedy - Twelfth Night or The Tempest
• Close study of text

Year 9
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Stage 5 Mandatory

• Area of study - Cultural Identity
• Representation - Documentary film making
• Texts and time - Poetry through the ages
• Drama - Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet

Year 10
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Stage 5 Mandatory

• Area of study - Prejudice - To Kill A Mockingbird
• Poetry anthology - Bruce Dawe
• Auteur study - Film directors
• Close study - Shakespearean tragedy - Macbeth or Othello

Year 11
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Stage 6 Mandatory 

English standard

• Common module - Reading to write
• Module A - Contemporary possibilities  - multimodal texts
• Module B - Close study of text

English advanced

• Common module - Reading to write
• Module A - Narratives that shape our world
• Module B - Critical study of literature

Extension 1

• Texts, values and culture - Encounters with 'the other"

Advanced and extension placements are by invitation. Academic performance in Stage 4 and 5 English, involvement in extra-curricular activities (debating, public speaking, writing competitions) are all considered during the application process.

EAL/D

• Module A – Language, texts and contexts
• Module B – Close study of text
• Module C - Texts and Society

Year 12
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Stage 6 Mandatory

English Standard

• Common Module – Texts and Human Experience – The Merchant of Venice
• Module A - Language, Identity and Culture – One Night The Moon
• Module B - Close Study of Text - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
• Module C – The Craft of Writing

English Advanced

• Common Module – Texts and Human Experience – The Merchant of Venice
• Module A – Textual Conversations – Mrs Dalloway/The Hours
• Module B – Critical Study – TS Elliot poetry
• Module C – The Craft of Writing

Extension 1   

Advanced and extension placements are by invitation. Academic performance in Stage 4 and 5 English, involvement in extra-curricular activities (debating, public speaking, writing competitions) are all considered during the application process.

• Common Module – Literary Worlds
• Module B – Elective 2 – Worlds of Upheaval – Frankenstein, Metropolis, Waiting for Godot

Extension 2

• Major work

EAL/D

• Module A – Texts and Human Experience – China Coin
• Module B – Language, Identity and Culture
• Module C – Close Study of Text
• Module D – Focus on Writing