English Faculty
 

Courses offered

Junior English

Sydney Girls High School offers a diverse and stimulating Stage 4 and 5 English program in line with the Junior English Syllabus. The programs encompass a range of texts and topics from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as contemporary texts and a close study of Shakespeare in each year.

Implementation of technology in the classroom is emphasized, and students over the two stages produce WebPages and presentations using programs such as PowerPoint, Inspiration and FrontPage.

All students in years 7-10 take part in group performances on Drama Days.

Preliminary English

All students in Year 11 study Extension 1 English. Students complete an Area of Study and two or three modules in Advanced English. In Extension, students will study a classic text such as Thomas More’s Utopia, as well as modern popular culture appropriations.


HSC English

SGHS offers three courses in HSC English – Advanced, Extension 1 and Extension 2. The vast majority of our students gain results in upper Band 5 / Band 6 for Advanced and Bands 3 and 4 in Extension Courses. Each year, about 25-30 girls Extension 2 English and present a Major Work for assessment.


Support Activities

Workshops to assist students in creative writing for all students (and also essay-writing skills for senior students).


Other activities within the English Faculty

  • Debating – We currently have over 200 girls debating in various competitions, against both public and private schools. Girls attend afternoon coaching sessions led by Old Girls and university debaters. Debating is supported by an active parent group.
     
  • Public Speaking – We enter Rostrum, Junior Legacy, Senior SMH Plain English Speaking Competition and the Eastern Suburb Public Speaking Competition each year.
     
  • Tournament of Minds – Each year two or more teams are entered into this competition.
     
  • Writing Competitions – Students are encouraged to enter various competitions such as the MS Readathon, SMH Young Writers Competition, Herald in the Classroom, the Commonwealth Essay Competition and the Young Playrights Award (STC and SMH).
     
  • Australian Schools English Competition. All 7-10 students enter the competition, as well as a large number of senior students who elect to do so.
     

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