Summer Intensive enrolments are open: English and Literature from Year 8 to Units 3 & 4. Chemistry and Physics Units 3 & 4.Find out more →
A blue pond reflecting sky and willows, scattered with green lily pads and small pink flowers.

Claude Monet · Water Lilies, 1906

Programmes

Summer Intensive

Summer classes in English, Literature, Physics and Chemistry.

English

For Junior students in Years 8–10 and VCE students in Units 1 & 2 and 3 & 4.

Coordinated by Daniel Phuoc Wilson and Harneesh Kaur.

Taught by Rebecca Jones and Lily West.

A woman in a yellow ermine-trimmed jacket pauses mid-letter at her desk, quill in hand, and looks up towards us.

Johannes Vermeer · A Lady Writing, c. 1665

Weekly classes

One 120-minute lecture for VCE students

Critical theory and frameworks for each Area of Study.

One 60-minute tutorial

Close analysis, essay writing and analytical paragraphs.

One 30-minute consultation for VCE students

A smaller, more personal session that tracks each student’s individual growth. We do our best to make these one-on-one.

The lecture and tutorial are group classes. Junior students attend two 60-minute classes each week, without a consultation.

Syllabus

The program follows the English syllabus.

Every student is strongly advised to read through it before classes begin.

Read the English syllabus (opens in a new tab)

Fees

$500 AUD

For the whole program, 16 November – 24 January, at every year level.

Plus a one-time $50 enrolment fee, which covers resources and the Prose LMS.

Scholarships

Up to two scholarships across VCE English and VCE Literature.

Free tuition for February–November 2027, valued at $1,350+.

The highest-scoring students are considered, with a minimum overall program grade of 65/100.

View scholarship details

FAQ: English

What should I prepare before class?

The lesson plan and support materials are posted in the Prose LMS before each lecture. Work through them before class so you are ready to engage with the critical theory and frameworks introduced in the lecture.

Tutorials apply that content through close analysis and essay writing. You will practise bringing theoretical ideas into textual analysis and developing analytical paragraphs.

How much independent study is expected?

This is an intensive course, with at most three weeks for each Area of Study. Students need a consistent study schedule outside class and sustained independent work alongside the weekly lecture and tutorial.

The program is particularly suited to students who want to begin the school year with theoretical and conceptual foundations for critical thinking. It develops habits of interpretation and argument that support high-level study throughout the year.

How are the texts chosen?

We choose texts that broaden students’ literary horizons and introduce unfamiliar forms, traditions and ideas. The aim is to widen how students think about Literature and Media.

Sustained work with challenging material helps students become more receptive, independent and ambitious readers.

Do you go over the texts we’ll study at school?

Yes. Your school texts are covered in the consultations, where staff set additional work on them alongside your work on the summer program’s texts.

Why do you cover external texts?

Our philosophy is that Literary Studies teaches the skill of reading analytically. Other tutoring services may simply provide analysis for students to copy into their SACs and exams.

The summer program builds the analytical foundations for robust literary analysis. It does this through external texts, chosen strategically to develop each student’s critical attunement to literary studies.

Does enrolling in the Summer Intensive guarantee me a place in your year-long classes?

Yes! You’re guaranteed a place, regardless of your school, your texts or any other factor that might otherwise lead us to decline an expression of interest for our year-long classes.

Is the enrolment fee per subject?

Yes. The one-time $50 enrolment fee applies to each subject you enrol in, and the Summer Intensive counts on its own. For example, English and Physics would be $100 in enrolment fees, as would the Summer Intensive and English during the year.

Enrol in the summer program

Request a place : English