Here are some books that you may find useful during your studies. Search the Bennies catalogue Accessit for more, or browse the Non-fiction collection NFS.
The Common Module set for the 2019–23 HSC is Texts and Human Experiences. It is compulsory to study this topic as prescribed by NESA and it is common to all three English courses. Remember you will be learning how texts reveal individual and collective human experiences. There are no right or wrong answers in this module – it is about how you see and interpret material and engage with it. In the Common Module you will be analysing one prescribed text and a range of short texts that are related to the idea of human experiences. You will analyse texts not only to investigate the ideas they represent about human experiences but also how they deliver these ideas. This means you will be looking closely at the techniques a composer uses to represent his / her messages and shape meaning.
The life of a coal miner's son in Northern England is forever changed when he stumbles upon a ballet class on his way to boxing lessons. Joining the class, 11-year-old Billy shows a raw talent that is immediately recognised by his dance instructor. She encourages him to try out for the Royal Ballet School in London, but Billy is torn between his responsibility to his family and his overwhelming desire to pursue his passion for dance.
England in the mid-80s was a time of widespread industrial action and social unrest. Striking miners picketed for their jobs, while the gay community fought for their rights. This video explores the historical events and changing social attitudes and gender roles that inform the film ‘Billy Elliot’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying the film.
It was tough times in Northern England in the 1980’s! Watch this video to learn about the historical context of Stephen Daldry’s acclaimed film Billy Elliot (2000). We explain the history of the UK miners’ strike of 1984-1985 and how it devastated communities. Discover the real-life struggles that influenced the ideas in this smash hit film. Flying through Film- Extra Episodes
A eleven-year-old boy, Billy, attends a ballet class conducted by Wilkinson. He is inspired by his grandmother who happens to find pleasure in dancing after years of being abused by her late husband
Billy Elliot is a British comedy drama directed by Stephen Daldry on the screenplay of Lee Hall, starring Jamie Bell in the title role, Julie Walters in Mrs. Wilkinson, dance teacher Gary Lewis, the minor father on strike, and Jamie Draven, Billy Elliot's big brother.
An interview with Julie Walters on Film 2000 just before Billy Elliot came out. Interesting to note some things, such as great things predicted for the film.
Billy Elliot - Jamie Bell Interview
The coal industry underwent great changes following nationalisation in 1947. Considerable investment was ploughed into the industry by the government allowing new equipment and mining techniques to be introduced.
In this module, students will explore a range of texts, including the prescribed text Billy Elliot, which will deepen their understanding of how texts represent individual and collective human experiences. Students will focus on the context of 1980’s Britain and how this is depicted through the emotions and experiences of the characters in Billy Elliot.
In this common module students deepen their understanding of how texts represent individual and collective human experiences. They examine how texts represent human qualities and emotions associated with, or arising from, these experiences.