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, visual and multimodal texts through which meaning is conveyed, interpreted and reflected. The complexity of concepts and texts increases as students move from Year 7 through to Year 12.
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, personal, social and emotional development.
The study of English should allow students to develop a love of literature, while also allowing for adequate challenge and rigour. Studying English develops skills which enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active and independent learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.
Faculty outline
Our focus in the English faculty is to work with students in building their skills as communicators, allowing them to become literate, discerning members of society. The rapid evolution in methods of communication mean that it is essential that our students are adaptable and flexible, with skills to decode and interpret a wide variety of texts.
In their studies in English at Blacktown Boys High School, students will study and create a vast array of texts, including:
· Novels and short stories
· Short and feature-length films
· Poetry and performance/slam poetry
· Plays (including Shakespeare)
· Graphic novels and picture books
· Non-fiction texts, including podcasts, documentaries, speeches and advertisements
· Multimodal texts (online and interactive narratives)
The English faculty strives to keep the subject of English interesting and relevant, regularly updating text selections and resources to cater to the changing needs of the students and reflecting the changing nature of our world.
Curriculum Options
Stages 4 & 5 – English
Stage 6 – courses offered include:
· English Standard
· English Advanced
· English Studies
· English EAL/D
· English Extension 1
· English Extension 2
· English Life Skills
Competitions/Extracurricular
Premier’s Debating Challenge (Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams)
Sydney Morning Herald Plain English Speaking award
Legacy Junior Public Speaking award
Dorothea Mackellar poetry competition
What Matters? Writing competition
University of Sydney LINK program