HOLSWORTHY HIGH SCHOOL

The Use of Technology

Our units of work incorporate ICT skills for a variety of purposes from film making to publishing work in various formats, Google Classroom is also utilised.

Extending Students’ Learning

We aim to engage and extend all students both within the classroom and through extra-curricular activities.

Extension classes are now in operation in Years 7-10 English.

To encourage students to pursue their individual talents we also run competitions across all years. Students are given opportunities to enter external competitions such as the Australian English Speak-ing Competition, essay writing, film making competi-tions, writing and ICAS.

At HSC level our students can explore a love of English through Extension 1 and 2 Courses.

ICAS Examinations

The English Faculty gives students in Years 7 and 8 an opportunity to sit for the University of NSW ICAS exams in July and August every year. In English the test is a comprehensive skills based assessment that assesses the higher order thinking and problem solving skills of students. These exams can help target talented students and give an insight into a student’s strengths. ICAS is the most comprehensive assessment program with schools in over 20 countries participating every year. We do extremely well in these tests with students achieving High Distinction which is in the top 1 percent of student participants in Australia and Credit status.

Young Sydney Writers Day

Every year we attend the Young Sydney Writers Day at the University of Western Sydney where published authors hold lectures and workshops on creative writing. This caters and extends writing opportunities for our students.

Aim of English in Year 7-10

The Australian National curriculum is in full operation for Years 7-10 English.

Through responding to and composing a wide range of texts, and through close study of texts, students will develop skills, knowledge and understanding to:

Speak, listen, write, read, view and respond

Use language and communicate effectively by thinking imaginatively, interpretively and critically

Express themselves and their relationships with others and the world

Learn and reflect on their learning

Units will include a study of Shakespeare, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Stories, Multi Media Texts, Picture books and Drama. Students will value and appreciate the power of effective communication using the language modes of speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing and representing.

Overview of Stage 6 English

“To fulfill the requirements for the Higher School Certificate; students in New South Wales will complete ONE Preliminary course and ONE HSC course from:”

English (Advanced)

English (Standard)

English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)

English Studies

Students undertaking (Advanced) may choose, in addition, to study:

English (Extension) 1 and 2 (HSC only)

The study of English involves responding to and composing texts in and for a range of personal, social, cultural, historical and workplace contexts using a variety of language modes.

English / Drama Faculty

English

Ms B. Portolan H/T Ms J. Davis DP

Ms F. Bell Mr M. Judge

Mr M. Bayndrian Ms C. Da Costa

Public Speaking and Debating

At Holsworthy High School we have a strong culture of Public Speaking and Debating.

• All students in Years 7-12 complete a formal speech before an audience of their peers and teachers.

• Students enter a range of Public Speaking Competitions. Successes include State Finalists in competitions such as the United Nations Youth Speaking Competition, Quota Youth of the Year and

the Junior Legacy Public Speaking Competition.

• We participate in the state wide Premier’s Debating Challenge. Our Debating teams perform at a high

level with students selected for Regional Teams.

• Our Junior teams have had success as Zone and Interzone winners and Regional finalists.

Our Year 11 Senior team became our most successful debating team to date at Holsworthy High as Zone, Interzone and Regional winners. They then won their State Semifinals and were awarded the Karl Krump Cup after their success as State Runners Up in the Premier’s Debating Challenge.

Holsworthy High School participates every year in the Real Talk Poetry Competition. In 2018 we

defeated 13 other state schools with three of our Year 10 students making the final.

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken

joy in creative expression and

knowledge.”

Albert Einstein English and Drama provides opportunities to enjoy and develop skills and confidence in:

Copyright © Liverpool Leader

What does the year hold for English?

Drama

Our Year 7, 9, 10, 11 and HSC Elective Drama classes are taught by trained Drama teachers.

• Students perform regularly in CAPA.

• Our students have been chosen to attend State Drama Camps and students can audition for the State Drama Ensemble.

• We have an excellent working relationship with Bell Shakespeare, Riverside and Belvoir Theatres giving our students opportunities to see live drama performances which includes excursions to the Sydney Opera House along with incursions at our School.

Reading and Wide Reading

All students in Years 7, 8 and 9 participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge with many achieving the Gold Award. Students in Years 7-10 are timetabled one period a fortnight in the library for Wide Reading.

The English Faculty runs in partnership with our school Librarian a new Renaissance reading program which helps all students reach their full reading potential. Students receive the unique attention and quick feedback they need to meet their reading goals. Monitoring student progress is achieved through the combination of precise growth data with scientifically proven learning progressions. Students use the school Library books when working through this innovative program.

The English Faculty offers two Year 9, 100 hour elective courses: Film and Drama

Film

This subject provides students with the opportunity to examine film in both historical and contemporary contexts while developing skills in media design and production in a range of media forms. Students will be provided with the opportunity to analyse film concepts, forms and products in an informed and critical way.

Drama

This course embodies learning the foundation skills for the performing arts, catering both for the extroverts and the behind the scenes creatives. This course involves engagement in improvisation and group projects aimed at developing fresh exciting pieces of live work.