English

Our experienced staff share a passion for creative and critical thinking, and are committed to supporting students to develop their capacity as independent thinkers and collaborative learners.

The study of English in Years 7–10 aims to develop students’ knowledge, understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the English language and to develop their skills as effective communicators.

In Year 11 and 12, the study of English is mandatory. Courses offered include: English Extension 2, English Extension 1, English Advanced, English Standard, English Studies, English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D), English Life Skills.

Students develop their control of language by reading and viewing a range of texts and by writing imaginative, interpretive and critical texts with clarity and accuracy for a range of purposes and audiences. Students engage with and explore literature of past and contemporary societies, as well as a range of spoken, visual, media and multimedia texts.

At Davidson High School, students develop skills in analysing and applying literary devices in fiction and nonfiction texts. Each year, students engage with drama and multimedia texts to consider the ways in which meaning is shaped through written, visual, spoken and aural features. Students study a range of contemporary and canonical prose fiction novels and develop an appreciation for the role of literary texts in reflecting human experiences.

The English faculty works closely with the school library to ensure that students are exposed to a range of classic and contemporary texts. Our school librarian leads a well-attended Book Club, and book suggestions are curated to meet the interest levels and needs of our avid readers. In addition, our team hosts the popular Write a Book in a Day challenge and hosts an annual Author Visit to engage students in professional writing workshops.

The faculty places emphasis on public speaking which enhances skills in collaboration, verbal expression, and persuasive communication. In addition to our engagement in the Premier’s Debating Challenge and Rotary Public Speaking events, students are taught to articulate their viewpoints through formal and informal speaking experiences, ensuring that they develop the confidence to actively participate in real world settings.