The school has an enviable record of success in externally sponsored competitions, which test student's ability in language - related activities. In Upper School the quest for excellence is even more important, and this has been reflected in the results obtained by students in the Tertiary Entrance Examination. In 1993, a student from Duncraig Senior High, received the prize for the top student in English in Western Australia. Those students who are tertiary bound have the choice of studying either English or Literature. The literature course focuses on the three main literary forms - prose, poetry and drama.
Students studying literature learn to adopt a wide range of reading practices.
Non - academic students are not forgotten in Upper School either. English teachers actively encourage students to enrol in subjects which best suit their needs and abilities. One result of this has been that a teacher has been put in charge of Senior English in Upper School. As a result, more students have enrolled in this subject, which provides them with a springboard into TAFE and other courses. Irrespective of their academic ability, students' choice of subjects in Year 11 and 12 is carefully monitored to ensure that they enrol in courses commensurate with their needs and abilities.