Year 9 - 11 English
Year 9 - 11 English
Compulsory full year course
Year 9 English (9ENG) is a course that will reinforce with you the importance of storytelling in all its forms. English is important because it enhances lifelong learning and communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening.
As you explore stories from both Aotearoa and globally, you will develop your sense of identity and connection with the world, and your awareness of Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage. You will learn how to think about a variety of texts in order to understand the power of language to enrich and shape your own and others’ lives.
Year 9 English allows you to develop skills that empower you to think critically and express yourself creatively.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Mr Liam Ford
Possible next steps: Year 10 English
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Compulsory full year course
The course flows from the material studied in Year 9, but a greater level of sophisticated thought and creativity is developed.
In Year 10 English (10ENG), you will examine how writers and directors creatively use the conventions of their chosen medium to make us consider a range of relevant ideas. This course is broadly based on making meaning (recognising the ideas and craft in the texts that you read) and creating meaning (presenting ideas in a range of mediums using techniques appropriate to purpose).
Year 10 English prepares you by building foundational knowledge and skills for higher-level study, and the transferable literacy skills needed for success in all areas.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Mr Liam Ford
Possible next steps: Any Year 11 English course.
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
This course offers a range of experiences as you explore how writers and directors, from both Aotearoa and abroad, creatively use the conventions of their chosen medium to make us consider relevant ideas. This is in addition to strengthening your foundational and critical literacy, and knowledge of the evolution of literature over time. You'll then have the opportunity to become the creator, telling your own stories in written, oral and visual modes.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Ms Sarah Marchant
Possible next steps: Level 2 English (12ENG), Level 2 English with a Philosophy Lens (12ENP) or Level 2 English Writer's Workshop (12ENW).
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Year 11 English with a Media Lens (11ENM) is an introductory course covering the role journalism plays in society. You will explore key concepts relating to media journalism and examine the relationship between media, democracy and social activism.
You will learn to tell local stories: stories about what matters to you and our community. You will learn practical skills such as written text formatting, visual and audio recording, and how to edit on professional software.
This course is designed to give you a more practical application of English by focusing more on audio-visual texts, while developing your skills across all of the English strands to ensure successful entry into Year 12 English.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Mr Liam Ford
Possible next steps: Level 2 English, Level 2 Media Studies.
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
English Writer's Workshop (11ENW) is a course for students who love writing and want to do lots of it. The course will take you on a journey across time and media, sampling and practicing writing for many different purposes and audiences, from poetry and creative prose, to scriptwriting, to journalistic magazine or editorial writing, and everything in between. Of course, this course still offers the foundational skills and knowledge to support your journey into Year 12 English.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry, although an interest in writing for pleasure is an advantage.
Contact Teacher: Ms Scarlett McAvinue-Northcott
Possible next steps: Level 2 English (12ENG), Level 2 English with a Philosophy Lens (12ENP) or Level 2 English Writer's Workshop (12ENW).
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
English Language (ESOL)
Full year course
This course may be for you if English is not your first language. The course is designed to support students to develop skills in English through a much more scaffolded academic programme.
This course will help you to:
Improve your communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening.
Develop your critical thinking skills.
Improve your ability to understand and respond to texts.
Prepare you for the demands of NCEA Level 2 English.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Ms Sarah Marchant
Possible next steps: Year 12 Literacy for University or Year 12 English (General)
Find more details in our Course outline 2025