Introduction

With a diverse range of personalities, the Auckland Grammar School English Department continues to inspire students in the study of literature, language, reading, speaking and writing. A range of different courses and qualifications are offered to suit students of all ability levels.

Department Responsibilities:

Mr Irving (E3) - Head of Department
Mr Rice (E2) - Junior English (Form 3 and 4)
Mr Laing (E9) - Form 7 (A2, NCEA Level 3, Scholarship and Literacy)
Mr Pillay (E1) - Form 6 (AS and NCEA Level 2)
Mr Whelan (O9) - Form 5 (IGCSE and NCEA Level 1)
Ms Curry (E12) - Textbooks

Current English Teachers:

Mr R Irving, Mr D Rice, Mr R Thom, Mr J Pillay, Mr M Howard, Mr D Johnson, Mr J Warner, Dr C Richards, Mr D Oram, Mr D Gordon, Mr B Bahlmann, Mrs A Hellens, Mrs J Blyth, Mr J Whelan, Mr J Ellis, Mr R Knights, Mrs R Lory, Mrs A Birtwistle, Miss R Holland, Mr C Laing.

The 'English Pathway'

A dual pathway is offered to students from Form 5-7 in which students can opt for Cambridge (IGCSE, AS and A Level) or NZQA qualifications (NCEA Level 1, 2, 3). English is compulsory up to and including Form 6.

Junior English

Form 3 and 4 students sit a general English programme that covers: the plot, character, setting and style of a range of literature and film studies, language (parts of speech, figures of speech, sound devices, punctuation and spelling), reading (SSR and comprehension), oral skills (speeches, presentations and discussion) and visual skills (static images and film techniques). The course is designed to prepare students for both Cambridge and NCEA.

Different texts are taught by different teachers but all Form 3 students will study the same programme in Term One before reclassification.

Senior English Pathway

	CIE	NCEA
Form 5	IGCSE Literature (5A-I)	NCEA Level 1 (5J-Q)
Form 6	AS Literature (6A-I)	NCEA Level 2 (6C1-6H1)
Form 7	A Level Literature	NCEA Level 3

Homework and Assignments

For the most part, English is not taught out of a text book so homework may take a variety of forms, such as:

• Completing work started in class
• Practice exercises/exam questions
• On-going assignment work (essays, projects etc)
• Reading

Contact

English staff emails follow the initial-dot-surname format: j.smith@ags.school.nz. The department phone number is: 623 5400 (ext 518).

Tutoring

English teachers are not permitted by the School to undertake paid, private tutoring. Parents could contact private institutions if they require additional English assistance for their son.