English

Head of English Department: Mrs Stacey Stewart - stacey.stewart@wdsg.school.nz

English is about more than reading and writing – it is about thinking, questioning, imagining, and creating. In English, students learn to shape language and be shaped by it. They engage with powerful stories and texts from Aotearoa and around the world, exploring who they are and how they connect to others, the past, and the future.

Through literature, film, oral storytelling, and rich language experiences, students become confident communicators, critical thinkers, and creative makers of meaning. They discover the beauty and depth of language – and learn to use it to inform, persuade, challenge, and inspire.

English in Years 9–13 supports students to become skilled readers and writers, to analyse the ideas and techniques authors use, and to create their own crafted texts for a range of audiences and purposes. Students are empowered to express their identities, explore diverse perspectives, and respond to the world around them with insight and empathy.

Ko te reo te tuakiri
Ko te reo tōku ahurei
Ko te reo te ora.

Language is my identity
Language is my uniqueness
Language is life.

(NZC 2007)