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.
Staff:
Ms Gabrielle Giles Head Teacher
Mrs Sarah Barry
Miss Angelica Schutte
Ms Annie Lonergan
Mr Luke Clewett
Ms Monique D'Arcy
Mrs Fiona Woodley
Ms Ruby Schumack
Ms Nicola Wills (LOTE)
Bridget Baird-Peddie
All subjects
- English Years 7-10
- Year 11 Extension 1 English
- Year 11 Advanced English
- Year 11 Standard English
- Year 11 English Studies/Life Skills
- Year 12 Extension 1 English
- Year 12 Extension 2 English
- Year 12 Advanced English
- Year 12 Standard English
- Year 12 English Studies
Special Opportunities offered by our faculty
- Anime Club
- Scrabble Club
- Reading Room
- Academic essay and English competition entry
- Debating and Public Speaking are dynamic co-curricular programs that offer students the opportunity to develop public speaking and critical thinking skills, as a team. At Irrawang HS, we offer specialised debating and public speaking training and development opportunities. We participate in the following competitions: Celebration of Words CoWs, the NSW Premiere’s Debating Challenge, Legacy Public Speaking and Lion’s Youth of the Year participation. Meetings are scheduled weekly and are published on our school calendar.
- GATS (Gifted and talented students): Compacted curricula, research projects, Tournament of the Minds and Newcastle University partnership with the Confucius Institute
- Regular student development opportunities: trips to theatre productions, guest lectures, HSC development and study opportunities and Digi Ed training.
- Young Authors' Club- where we offer entry into a plethora of poetry and short story competitions: as well as opportunities to work with local author’s
- Future Focused Learning
Irrawang High School is dynamic and inclusive. Our faculty offers a broad range of learning opportunities and experiences. Our faculty is mindful about, the diversity of our students and their individualized needs. Our faculty programs are designed to strengthen our students’ abilities to read, think and write analytically and effectively. We aim to improve our student’s ability to speak and write artfully and fluently. Our program is therefore designed to combine critical thinking and disciplined studies with imagination and reflection. We are dedicated to forming life-long learners. We strive to create students who are not only proficient readers and writers but who understand and appreciate the context, theme and style of literature. Our program emphasizes understanding, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation; skills that are critical not only to the assessment of literature but to the navigation of life itself.
