Faculty Focus: English

The English faculty have been working hard throughout Term 1 and 2 to bring exciting opportunities and learning experiences to the students of NHS. As well as welcoming back the familiar staff, Ms Nadia Bulgin, Mrs Jennifer Barnicoat, Mr Anthony Carver, Ms Hayley Edwards (Head Teacher), Ms Jessica Melehan, Mrs Glenyce Oswald, Mr Matthew Sandford and Mrs Nicole Thew, we have also welcomed back Mrs Suzanne Parrott and welcomed Mr Luke Costello to our team for 2024. As a faculty, we are working on strategies to further improve students’ literacy skills and enjoyment of English. This is extra exciting with the implementation of the new 7-10 English Curriculum for Years 7 and 9 in 2024 and Years 8 and 10 in 2025.

English Highlights:

Year 7 and 8 Reading Program

Alongside our targeted literacy program in English, Year 7 and 8 students are continuing the Newcastle High School SMART Goals Reading Program in conjunction with the library. The English Faculty has continued collaborating with our Teacher Librarian, Mrs Dubois, to build the love of reading across the school. Students self-select a novel to read across the term, which is then used to complete reading and literacy activities as well as a reading journal. The students read for 10 minutes minimum every lesson during English, and the teachers have even taken the time to engage in reading for pleasure and enjoyment as well. We have received positive feedback about this new program from students and are keen to further develop this across all year levels. This is especially exciting because the New English 7-10 Curriculum focuses more on students reading for challenge, interest, and enjoyment! 

Literacy Circles with the Library

This semester alongside the reading program Ms Bulgin and Mr Carver’s Year 7 classes have been engaging in Literature Circles. Teaching through literature involves the use of literary response strategies. Literacy Response Strategies (LRS) encourage students to critically reflect upon literary texts, foster active reading and nurture student-centred discussions. The benefit of using Literacy Circles as an LRS is that it uses a constructivist approach to learning: affording students the opportunity to learn with and from their peers.

Mr Carver and 7S have been working closely with Mrs Dubois, our Teacher Librarian, in developing their understanding of key texts studied in class. Students have been working in the Library in Literature Circles and have found this to be a valuable and engaging exercise. Mrs Dubois has put together a great video below explaining the process of Literature Circles and of 7S in action. The students share their insights and what they have most enjoyed about this process during their English lessons.

Ms Bulgin and 7B have been engaging in Literature Circles in class while reading their class novel, ‘The Best Day of My Life’ by Deborah Ellis. Students have been using literacy circles to deepen their understanding of key concepts such as character, setting and theme. Students have all agreed that this has allowed them to share their personal insights and provided multiple ways to engage with the text. This has been a vital strategy in building their confidence in preparation for their speaking assessment in Term 2. Check out the images of students engaging in this process!

Implementation of the New English Curriculum 7 – 10. 

The NSW Curriculum Reform is off and running at Newcastle High School, with Years 7 and 9 into their second term of the new curriculum. Alongside this the English team are continuing to design and develop innovative programs for the implementation of the 7-10 English Curriculum for Year 8 and 10 in 2025. The NSW Curriculum Reform will give students more time to focus on key learning areas so that they can acquire a deeper understanding of central concepts (NESA). The English Curriculum will ensure students develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world. The curriculum also focuses on the organisation of content that supports a conceptual approach to understanding and responding to texts. The new curriculum offers a new structure that builds on the foundational literacy skills and conceptual understanding across all outcomes, making clear the essential knowledge, skills and understandings for English.

The English faculty is very excited by the opportunities this new Curriculum presents. We have been actively engaging in Professional Learning and collaborative sessions to further enhance our teaching and learning within the English classroom. We are currently implementing all new programs for Year 7 and Year 9 and are designing Programs and Teaching Resources for Years 8 and 10. It is a very exciting and busy time and will continue to provide students with engaging learning opportunities in English.

The Future of Literacy at NHS:

Alongside the designing and development of new programs for the new curriculum, the English faculty are preparing to launch an innovative literacy program for Years 7-10, aimed at enhancing students' reading and writing skills through a comprehensive and integrated approach. The program aims to incorporate literacy activities that are seamlessly relevant to the programs and texts being studied, ensuring that students can apply their learning in meaningful contexts. By utilising the National Literacy Learning Progressions, teachers will closely monitor and support each student's development, ensuring they achieve key literacy milestones. The program adopts a staggered approach, grouping literacy skills within stage groups to align with the new curriculum development. This method will allow for targeted instruction that meets students where they are, progressively building their competencies and confidence in literacy throughout their secondary education. Literacy is essential for all subjects and English are proud to be working closely in this area to help students across all key learning areas.

Year 12 English Advanced

Year 12 English Advanced at Newcastle High School has been an exciting and enriching journey, marked by innovative teaching methods and dynamic class collaboration. Mr Sandford and Ms Edwards classes have actively engaged in team teaching, creating a vibrant learning environment where students benefit from diverse perspectives and collective expertise. To hone their analytical skills, students participated in jigsaw teaching activities, allowing them to dissect complex texts in small, focused groups before sharing their insights with their peers. This method has been complemented by brainstorming sessions and post-it notes summaries, fostering a deeper understanding of the material through visual and interactive learning techniques. Additionally, time condition activities have been integral in preparing students for the HSC, helping them to develop the critical skill of managing time effectively under exam conditions. Through these varied and engaging approaches, Year 12 English Advanced students are well-equipped to excel in their studies and beyond.

Looking ahead, the English faculty at Newcastle High School is committed to bringing even more exciting learning opportunities to our students. For the remainder of 2024, we are eager to introduce a range of extra-curricular activities, including poetry and writing competitions, to inspire creativity and foster a love of literature. These initiatives will provide students with unique platforms to showcase their talents, engage with the wider literary community, and develop their skills beyond the classroom. By continually enriching our programs and offering diverse avenues for expression, the English team aims to cultivate a vibrant, stimulating environment that nurtures every student's passion for English.