English provides opportunities for all students to develop their personal communication skills. We cater for all abilities within our programme. Our courses enable students to achieve the literacy requirements for Level 1 and Tertiary study.
English provides opportunities for all students to develop their personal communication skills. We cater for all abilities within our programme. Our courses enable students to achieve the literacy requirements for Level 1 and Tertiary study.
Our students engage with and learn to enjoy language in all forms. They learn to become effective communicators, expressing themselves clearly and confidently, whilst also learning good listening habits. We aim to develop keen readers with sound understanding and research skills, and writers who can write interesting content to appeal to a chosen audience.
In Year 9 and 10 English you will study novels, plays, poetry, films and short stories. You will also show off your writing skills in creative pieces and essays. There will be at least one opportunity each year to practise your speaking skills. This could be a formal speech or from a range of other contexts like podcasts or monologues.
Analysis of grammar and language is an essential part of the programme, and you’ll also learn research skills with our librarian. Plus, because we live in a media age, you may study film, advertising and visual language.
However, the skills you will practise most are reading and writing. These are essential for every subject you take. Good reading and writing will help you in all of your classes, and English focusses on developing those skills.
You’ll also be offered extra opportunities outside class with external competitions, visiting speakers, writing and speaking competitions, public speaking and debating.
Each of the three courses offered will touch on each of these relationships, but one will be the core focus. Students should select the course (and relationship) that connects the most with them. All three courses will be underpinned by developing the same knowledge and skills for English as a subject, with the fundamentals alongside progression into Year 12 carefully considered. All ability levels will be well supported and extended within each course. Teachers will take into account Year 10 results in planning courses to ensure the needs of students are met.
Each course will allow students to undertake a personal interest study.
Your success in Year 11 will be fundamental to your success in Year 12.
“Maybe a person is just made up of a lot of people,” I say. “Maybe we’re accumulating these new selves all the time.”
― Jandy Nelson, I’ll Give You the Sun
For students who are interested in creating and analysing texts that explore the inner world and thoughts of people and characters: the ways people are influenced, how they think, feel, and change.
This could include:
Exploring the theme of identity and ways in which people express themselves
Unpacking motivational content
Analysing how/why people and characters do things and make decisions
E huri tō aroaro ki te rā
tukuna tō ataarangi
ki muri i a koe
Turn and face the sun
and let your shadow fall
behind you
“There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it.”
– Amanda Gorman
For students who are interested in creating and analysing texts that explore the connections between people, animals and nature: power, relationships, and action for change
This could include:
The language and structure of persuasion
Context of texts and the relationships to the world we live in
Power dynamics and the impact an individual can have
Tangata ako ana i
te kāenga, te tūranga ki
te marae, tau ana
A person nurtured in the
community contributes
strongly to society
“Science and technology multiply around us. Either we use those languages, or we remain mute.”
― J.G. Ballard
For students who are interested in creating and analysing texts that explore how technology and mechanics impact humanity on an individual and societal level, both in the present and potentially in the future
This could include:
Moral and ethical reasoning
Development of certain technologies
The impact of social media
He rangi tā matawhāiti,
he rangi tā matawhānui
A person with narrow vision
has restricted horizon;
a person with wide vision
has plentiful opportunities
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed for students who require qualifications in English in order to meet the requirements for UE literacy. There is an emphasis on writing and oracy. The course allows for flexibility for students so they can achieve at their own level.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Year 11 Course or at the discretion of the Head of Department. On occasion Year 11 students are considered for this course based on their Year 10 course. Often, this course is appropriate for International Students.
QUALIFICATION(S): NCEA Level 1 or NCEA Level 2
ASSESSMENT:
4 Internal Achievement Standards
Level 1 (13 credits)
OR
2 Internal Achievement Standards
Level 2 (13 credits)
There may be opportunities to sit at least ONE External Achievement Standard (4 credits)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course continues to build upon your work in Year 11, at Level 7 of the New Zealand Curriculum. The texts and language studied are more demanding than in Year 11. Success in this course is determined by fluent writing, perceptive reading, and more independent learning.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• Passed the external, especially with Merit or Excellence (M5, M6, E7, E8)
• M5 or above for 3 out of 4 English assessment tasks for Brigadier’s Diploma
• Completion of all other main tasks in English (eg. Oral History, Documentary) except for illness – Pleasing Progress
• Achieved the literacy co-requisites OR at the discretion of the HOD English
QUALIFICATION(S): NCEA Level 2
ASSESSMENT: Maximum of 21 credits from:
3 Internal Achievement Standards (13 credits)
2 External Achievement Standards (8 credits)
UE LITERACY: Reading (12 credits)
Writing (14 credits)
Note: English Reading standards are worth 3 or 4 credits each
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students in this course gain their credits through internally assessed writing, reading and visual standards. They must independently read texts at Level 7 of the curriculum.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• Genuine attempt of or passed the external (N2, A3, A4)
• A4 or above for 3 out of 4 English assessment tasks for Brigadier’s Diploma
• Completion of most other main tasks in English (eg. Oral History, Documentary) except for illness – Steady Progress
• May not have achieved both of the literacy co-requisites
OR at the discretion of the HOD English
QUALIFICATION(S): NCEA Level 2
ASSESSMENT: Maximum of 21 credits from:
4 Internal Achievement Standards (17 credits)
2 External Achievement Standard (8 credits))
UE LITERACY: Reading (12 credits)
Writing (14 credits)
Note: English Reading Standards are worth 3 or 4 credits each
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to support students for whom English is incredibly difficult and they haven’t found a lot of success to date. There will be a lot of scaffolded support and the emphasis will be on gaining UE literacy to support the wider timetable of the student.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• Didn’t attempt or did not pass the external, absent, void, N0, N1, N2
• A3 or less for 3 out of 4 English assessment tasks for Brigadier’s Diploma
• Completion of all other main tasks in English (eg. Oral History, Documentary) poor – Insufficient / Limited Progress
• May not have achieved either of the literacy co-requisites
OR at the discretion of the HOD English
QUALIFICATION(S): NCEA Level 2 (supporting to gain UE Literacy is the focus of this course)
ASSESSMENT: 14 credits from:
2 Internal Achievement Standards (10 credits)
1 External Achievement Standards (4 credits)
UE LITERACY: Reading (8 credits)
Writing (6 credits)
Note: English Reading Standards are worth 3 or 4 credits each
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The key focus of this course is written texts. This course builds upon the skills and knowledge gained during Level 2 but includes new areas of study. Students will engage in reading texts, both NZ and international, and developing their personal writing styles. This course can be catered to the student, to suit the scientific mind or the artistic one to complement future pathways. Scholarship content will also be included.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: 17 credits in NCEA Level 2 English:
• Must have achieved Merit or Excellence in Achievement Standard 91101: Writing Portfolio
• Must have achieved Merit or Excellence in Achievement Standard 91105: Info Lit
• Must have achieved Merit or Excellence in at least ONE External Standard
Or at the discretion of the HOD English
QUALIFICATION(S): NCEA Level 3 (UE Approved)
ASSESSMENT: 2 compulsory Internal Achievement Standards and 1 optional (13 credits)
2 External Achievement Standards (8 credits)
UE LITERACY: Reading (12 credits)
Writing (14 credits)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The key focus of this course is visual texts. This course builds upon the skills and knowledge gained during Level 2 but includes new areas of study. Students will engage in viewing texts, both NZ and international, and developing their personal writing styles. This course can be catered to the student, to suit the scientific mind or the artistic one to complement future pathways. Scholarship content will also be included.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: 17 credits in NCEA Level 2 English:
• Must have achieved Merit or Excellence in Achievement Standard 91101: Writing Portfolio
• Must have achieved Merit or Excellence in Achievement Standard 91105: Info Lit
• Must have achieved Merit or Excellence in at least ONE External Standard
Or at the discretion of the HOD English
QUALIFICATION(S): NCEA Level 3 (UE Approved)
ASSESSMENT: 3 compulsory Internal Achievement Standards and 1 optional (10 credits)
1 compulsory External and 1 optional Achievement Standard (8 credits)
UE LITERACY: Reading (4 credits)
Writing (10 credits)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course builds upon the skills and knowledge gained during Level 2 and is predominantly an internally assessed course. The focus is more on visual texts and includes a lot of scope for student choice. Shakespeare is not studied in this course. There is an opportunity for an external assessment for those who wish.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: 13 English credits in NCEA Level 2 English:
• Must have achieved Achievement Standard 91101: Writing Portfolio
• Must have achieved one other Internal Assessment Standard
• Must have achieved at least ONE External Standard
Or at the discretion of the HOD English
QUALIFICATION(S): NCEA Level 3 (UE Approved)
ASSESSMENT: 4 Internal Achievement Standards (16 credits)
1 optional External Achievement Standard (4 credits)
UE LITERACY: Writing (10 credits)
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E: juniorcampus@jameshargest.school.nz
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E: office@jameshargest.school.nz
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