English Standard or
English Studies
Welcome to English!
English is the study of life and human experiences, including work, friendships, family, love, loss, growing up and belonging. In English you learn to expand your vocabulary, share your opinions and communicate your ideas with confidence and clarity. Literature can open our eyes to different worlds. It makes us aware of different people, perspectives and situations. It allows us to empathise with and understand others. It is a portal into our world and it sparks conversation and learning.
Every job requires English literacy skills – reading, writing, viewing, speaking, listening – to understand our world and important information. Employers want workers who can communicate clearly and effectively.
Students at Newman College enjoy a range of experiences with literature during their studies in the English Standard or the English Studies course. Whilst reading and responding to literature, students recognise the connection between English literacy skills and their lives beyond school.
Course Downloads
Handbook Page
Download the English page from the Enrolment Handbook.
English FAQ's
Yes. English is a compulsory subject from Kindergarten to Year 12.
There are two English courses which run at Newman College. These are English Standard and English Studies.
The courses are quite different and both courses are challenging. Due to the English Standard course’s focus on responding to texts using lengthy analytical essays, it is recognised as the more challenging course.
English Standard is a course which caters for students who enjoy English, who like to be challenged, who have good basic English skills and who are aiming to develop their academic writing skills for further study, including at University or similar. The majority of responses students compose in this course are essays designed to assess their ability to understand and analyse literature. As part of this course, English Standard students are required to complete two compulsory Trial Higher School Certificate examinations and two Higher School Certificate examinations.
English Studies is a course designed to develop students’ literacy skills and aims to prepare students for the world beyond school, including the workforce. Teachers are able to select from a range of modules to better cater for student interest and the majority of responses students compose, are designed to develop literacy skills appropriate to the life beyond school. English Studies students are not required to sit a Higher School Certificate examination but may elect to complete this optional examination. It is strongly advised that students consult their teachers about the implications of this decision. Refer to page 25 of the Newman College Handbook.
No. Students should select the English course that best suits their career pathway and their English skill level. The English Standard and English Studies courses both contribute 2 Units towards their Higher School Certificate. The courses are of equal value when obtaining a HSC and students in both courses complete the same amount of assessment tasks.
Put simply, this is not an ideal solution.
Firstly, students should seek guidance from their Year 10 English teachers and Career Advisors about the best senior English course for them. Making an accurate choice at the start is best for all involved.
English class sizes are traditionally quite high. There can be situations where a student wishes to change courses but the size of the English Studies classes, available on a student’s timetable, may prevent the students from being able to change courses.
1. Carefully consider your (your child’s) career pathway. Note: You do not need English Standard for any trade course.
2. Ask yourself (your child): Do you have a good understanding of language features and can you use these well in an essay. If the answer is no, then English Studies is the course to choose.
3. Ask to speak to the English Coordinator or an English teacher at Newman College.