English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.
In English, students learn about the study and use of the English language in its various textual forms. These encompass spoken, written and visual texts through which meaning is shaped, conveyed, interpreted and reflected. Complexity increases as students progress through their schooling.
Developing proficiency in English enables students to take their place as confident communicators; critical and imaginative thinkers; lifelong learners; and informed, active participants in Australian society. Their understanding of English through knowledge and skills acquisition is essential to their 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.
English
The English faculty is a dynamic and dedicated team offering a diverse and stimulating Stage 4 and Stage 5 English program, suitable for the various needs of the students at the Leichhardt Campus.
The programs encompass a range of texts and topics. Students enjoy novels, poetry, plays, non-fiction, film and mass media. Students are engaged in a range of reading, writing, talking, listening, viewing and representing activities. Teachers use OneNote class Notebook to resource their lessons and Edmodo to communicate with students and parents.
Other activities within the English Faculty include:
- Debating & Public Speaking – we debate in various competitions and students attend coaching sessions at lunch time.
- Writing Competitions- students are encouraged to enter various competitions
- Australian Schools Competitions. All years have the opportunity to take part in the Writing and English Competitions.
- Leichhardt Media – student led extra-curricular program where students write and produce episodes of ‘Leichhardt TV’.
- Leichhardt Poetry Slam – Year 8 students are offered the opportunity to participate in a Poetry Slam, sharing their poetry and songs with their peers.
- Excursions and Incursions – where possible the English faculty provides opportunity for students to engage with live performance and other experiences that enrich the syllabus and provide real world connections to the content
Faculty program
The English program is based around two core units of study each term. Teachers also add to their program of teaching and learning depending on the interest and ability of their students. The assessment schedule for each year can be found in each school year section of this website.
Our overarching goal is to produce critical, creative and collaborative communicators. Where possible teachers incorporate student choice and encourage students to adopt an inquiry based approach to their learning through driving questions attached to each unit. We prioritise:
Explicit teaching of writing
Differentiation to meet the needs of a diverse range of students
Project based learning
In Year 7 students engage in close studies of a novel, poetry, plays and film and also develop visual literacy skills in relation to advertising and other print media.
Some of our Driving Questions for Year 7 include:
What do authors do to make a good story great?
How can I take a play from the page to the stage?
Who is more responsible for the success of a film – the director or the screenwriter?
How can words and images be used to sell products to children and teenagers?
What makes us laugh?
In Year 8 students build on their knowledge and learn to apply their skills across a range of situations, learning to formal English essays and also developing their creative writing and personal expression through poetry, script writing and genre exploration.
Some of our Driving Questions for Year 8 include:
Why are so many books for teenagers about survival?
How can a picture be worth a thousand words?
How can understanding genre make watching films more fun?
How are songs and slams real poetry?
In Year 9 students further the sophistication of their formal writing by using the ALARM matrix and continue to engage in a range of creative writing experiences that develop style. We also continue to build future focussed skills through collaborative presentations and increased use of tech tools for creating and communicating.
Some of our Driving Questions for Year 9 include:
How do composers share their values and perspectives with an audience?
What happens to poetry when poets become soldiers?
How can I persuade someone to buy my product with only a 30 second commercial?
How does understanding his context help me understand Shakespeare?
In Year 10 students prepare for their transition to Stage 6 by engaging in the unit “The Craft of Writing”, furthering their ability to use the ALARM matrix and engaging with a range of sophisticated texts of high literary value.
Some of our Driving Questions for Year 10 include:
How does fiction reveal truths about reality?
How can the power of words bring about positive change in a community?
To what extent is Macbeth a victim of his own fate?
How can poetry represent a place and its people?