ENGLISH

English learning area subjects offer students opportunities to enjoy language and be empowered as functional, purposeful, creative and critical language users who understand how texts can convey and transform personal and cultural perspectives. In a world of rapid cultural, social, economic and technological change, complex demands are placed on citizens to be literate within a variety of modes and mediums. Students are offered opportunities to develop this capacity by drawing on a repertoire of resources to interpret and create texts for personal, cultural, social and aesthetic purposes. They learn how language varies according to context, purpose and audience, content, modes and mediums, and how to use it appropriately and effectively for a variety of purposes. Students have opportunities to engage with diverse texts to help them develop a sense of themselves, their world and their place in it.

The subject Essential English develops and refines students’ understanding of language, literature and literacy to enable them to interact confidently and effectively with others in everyday, community and social contexts. The subject encourages students to recognise language and texts as relevant in their lives now and in the future and enables them to understand, accept or challenge the values and attitudes in these texts.

Students have opportunities to engage with language and texts through a range of teaching and learning experiences to foster:

• skills to communicate confidently and effectively in Standard Australian English in a variety of contemporary contexts and social situations, including everyday, social, community, further education, and work-related contexts;
• skills to choose generic structures, language, language features, and technologies to best convey meaning;
• skills to read for meaning and purpose, and to use, critique and appreciate a range of contemporary literary and non-literary texts;
• effective use of language to produce texts for a variety of purposes and audiences;
• creative and imaginative thinking to explore their own world and the worlds of others;
• active and critical interaction with a range of texts, and an awareness of how language positions both them and others;
• empathy for others and appreciation of different perspectives through a study of a range of texts from diverse cultures, including Australian texts by Aboriginal writers and/or Torres Strait Islander writers;
• enjoyment of contemporary literary and non-literary texts, including digital texts.

The subject English focuses on the study of both literary texts and non-literary texts, developing students as independent, innovative and creative learners and thinkers who appreciate the aesthetic use of language, analyse perspectives and evidence, and challenge ideas and interpretations through the analysis and creation of varied texts. Students have opportunities to engage with language and texts through a range of teaching and learning experiences to foster:

• skills to communicate effectively in Standard Australian English for the purposes of responding to and creating literary and non-literary texts;
• skills to make choices about generic structures, language, textual features, and technologies for participating actively in literary analysis and the creation of texts in a range of modes, mediums and forms, for a variety of purposes and audiences;
• enjoyment and appreciation of literary and non-literary texts, the aesthetic use of language, and style;
• creative thinking and imagination, by exploring how literary and non-literary texts shape perceptions of the world and enable us to enter the worlds of others;
• critical exploration of ways in which literary and non-literary texts may reflect or challenge social and cultural ways of thinking and influence audiences;
• empathy for others and appreciation of different perspectives through studying a range of literary and non-literary texts from diverse cultures and periods, including Australian texts by Aboriginal writers and/or Torres Strait Islander writers.

The subject Literature focuses on the study of literary texts, developing students as independent, innovative and creative learners and thinkers who appreciate the aesthetic use of language, analyse perspectives and evidence, and challenge ideas and interpretations through the analysis and creation of varied literary texts. 

Students have opportunities to engage with language and texts through a range of teaching and learning experiences to foster:

• skills to communicate effectively in Standard Australian English for the purposes of responding to and creating literary texts;
• skills to make choices about generic structures, language, textual features, and technologies to participate actively in the dialogue and detail of literary analysis and the creation of imaginative and analytical texts in a range of modes, mediums and forms;
• enjoyment and appreciation of literary texts and the aesthetic use of language, and style  creative thinking and imagination by exploring how literary texts shape perceptions of the world and enable us to enter the worlds of others;
• critical exploration of ways in which literary texts may reflect or challenge social and cultural ways of thinking and influence audiences;
• empathy for others and appreciation of different perspectives through studying a range of literary texts from diverse cultures and periods, including Australian texts by Aboriginal writers and/or Torres Strait Islander writers.

Offered from 2028 depending on interest.

Creative Writing is an engaging elective that empowers students to develop their imagination, voice, and communication skills through the art of storytelling. Students will explore a variety of writing forms, including short stories, poetry, scripts, memoirs, flash fiction, and creative non-fiction, while learning the techniques used by successful writers to captivate audiences.

Throughout the course, students will experiment with character development, plot structure, setting, dialogue, perspective, imagery, and literary devices. They will analyse examples from contemporary and classic literature, reflect on the writing process, and develop their ability to plan, draft, edit, and publish original works.

Students will be encouraged to take creative risks, express their ideas with confidence, and respond constructively to peer feedback. Opportunities may include writing competitions, publication projects, performances, and collaborative storytelling activities. This course is ideal for students who enjoy reading, writing, creating stories, and exploring the power of language. It develops creativity, critical thinking, communication, and self-expression—skills that are valuable across a wide range of future studies and careers.

Key Areas of Study

• Storytelling and narrative techniques
• Character and world building
• Poetry and expressive writing
• Script and dialogue writing
• Creative non-fiction and memoir
• Editing, publishing, and presenting written work
• Writing for different audiences and purposes

By the end of the course, students will have developed a portfolio of original writing that showcases their creativity, technical skills, and unique authorial voice.