English offers a range of courses ranging from Stage 4 to Stage 6 English, Extention English as well as Stage 5 History and Stage 6 Ancient and Modern History.
English
Stage 4 English - Years 7 - 8
- Students in Stage 4 English must read, listen to and view a variety of texts that are appropriate to their needs, interestes and abilities. These texts include fiction, poetry, film, non-fiction and drama texts. Similiarly, in each year students study examples of spoken, print, visual and multi-media texts including texts drawn from radio, television, newspapers and the internet.
- The selection of texts will give students experience of Australian literature including those that give insight into Aboriginal and multicultural experiences in Australia, literature from other countries and times, picture books as well as everyday and workplace texts.
- In Stage 4, students will be assessed through several common assessment tasks as well as ongoing classwork. Participation and diligence in these tasks as well as submit by the due date are vital to ensure the best outcomes for students.
Stage 5 English - Years 9 - 10
- The Stage 5 English Course aims to consolidate skills which students have gained in Stage 4. The English course widens students' experiences in functional and critical literacy as well as providing stimulating and pleasurable encounters with literature.
- Students study poetry, novels, short stories, plays and Shakespeare's plays.
- Stage 5 students are expected to complete several common assessment tasks. The tasks in Year 10 comprise a major part of the RoSA (Record of Student Achievement). To ensure the best outcomes students should participate with enthusiasm and ensure that all tasks are submitted on time.
Stage 6 English - Years 11 and 12
- English Standard - In the Preliminary English (Standard) course, students learn about language and literature by exploring and experimnting with the ways events, experiences, ideas and processes are represented in and through texts. Students study a range of texts which include fiction, drama, poetry, not-fiction, film, media. In the HSC English (Standard) course, students further strengthen their knowledge and understanding of language and literature by reflecting on and demonstrating the effectiveness of texts for difference audiences and purpose. Students study at least four types of prescribed texts drawn from prose fiction, drama, poetry, non-fiction, film media, and a wide range of additional related texts and textual forms.
- English Advanced - In the Preliminary English (Advanced) course, students, explore, examine and analyse a range of texts similar to Standard English. They explore the way events, experiences, ideas, values and processes are represented in and through texts and analyse the ways texts reflect different attitudes and values. In the HSC English (Advanced) course, students further strengthen their knowledge and understanding of language and literature by critically analysing and evaluating texts and the ways they are valued in their contexts. Students study at least five text types of prescribed texts and a wide range of additional related texts and textual forms.
- See the Stage 6 Handbook for more information about the HSC English Standard, Advanced and Extension Courses.
History
Stage 5 - History in Years 9 and 10 students learn about Australia and the world in the Twentieth Century.
Topics studied in Year 9 History include:
- Australia to 1914
- World War 1
- Between the Wars - the Roaring Twenties (the Boom) and the Great Depression (the Bust)
- World War 2
Topics studied in Year 10 include:
- The Vietnam War
- Changing rights and freedoms of Aborigines, Migrants and Women
- Dedcades Study
- People Power
Stage 6 - Years 11 and 12
Ancient History - The Preliminary course is structured to provide students with opportunities to investigate past people, groups, events, institutions, societies and historical sites from the sources available, by applying the methods used by historians and archaeologists. The HSC course provides the opportunity for students to investigate in depth the range and nature of archaelolgical and written sources that provide evidence for a life in Pompeii and Herculaneum. They also study the key features and sources of an ancient society, historical period and ancient personality.
Modern History - The Preliminary course is structured to provide students with opportunities to investigate the role of key feature, issues individuals, groups, events and concepts from the 19th century to the present using the methods of historical inquiry. The HSC course provides the opportunity for students to investigate in depth a source based study of World War I. They also study key features and issues in the history of ONE country during the C20th, ONE personality and ONE international student in peace and conflict.
Drama - not currently offered
Stage 5 - Years 9 - 10
The Drama elective is an exciting practical subject that offers many opportunites for students to be actively involved in acting, stagecraft and theatre workshops. Students improvise, perform scripts and undertake sound and lighting tasks. Students are expected to participate willingly and on occasions attend after school and evening performances. The three key ares for learning and assessment in Drama are:
- Making drama - participating in the creation of drama and theatre workshops
- Performing - engage in acting and performing drama and theatre for different audiences
- Appreciating drama - engage in viewing, investigating and visiting many drama and theatre experiences.
Stage 6 - Years 11- 12
Students in Drama study the practices of Making, Performing, Workshop, Scriptwriting and Critically Analysis. In Drama students can investigate, shape and symbolically represent ideas, feelings, attitudes, beliefs and their consequences.
Students engage with these components through collaborative and individual experiences.