English/Mathematics News

English 

It has been an industrious and successful term in the English faculty to begin the year. We have welcomed back Mr Jason Morris and Mrs Melanie Bailey, who have returned from extended leave. These two high valued and experienced educators have already contributed a wealth of experience and expertise in many aspects of our school, and I’m excited to see what the rest of the year will bring. The faculty has been collaborating throughout the term to ensure that every student in every class is actively engaged in their learning and motivated to achieve their personal best. 

This term, Year 8 students completed a topic on the ‘Power of Poetry’, where they analysed a variety of poems and explored how meaning has been made by the poets. Many students also created some of their own poetry – the most effective being ‘black out’ poems, which also work as a piece of art. Year 8 students have now moved on to a novel study which will continue into next term.

Year 9 students have been impressing their teachers with their persuasive and creative writing. The Year 9 teaching team have been particularly impressed by the students’ growth through the completion of the Steps to Writing Success program. We certainly have some budding journalists and authors in the year group.

Our Year 10 cohort has been exploring various forms of protest poetry, and the students have been working on their own forms of writing and reflection in preparation for the upcoming assessment task. We have been impressed by the maturity shown, as we investigate a number of confronting issues in society.

Our newest seniors, Year 11, have settled into the demands of the course. The first topic, Reading to Write, requires the students to analyse a variety of texts to aid in their own writing. Year 11, being only three terms long, goes particularly fast, so it is important that the students remain focused and motivated.

And finally, at the time of writing, Year 12 students have officially completed 50% of their internal assessments. Advanced and Standard students were tasked with creating a multimodal text that analyses their prescribed texts, whereas the Studies class are finishing their ‘Exploring the Past’ unit. Our four English Extension 2 students recently completed their Viva Voces – a presentation as to their research and intentions for their Major Work. Mrs Wearne and I were awestruck by the sophisticated and engaging works that are currently in development.

Enjoy the holiday break!

Mr Blake Wawrzyk

Head Teacher English 

Mathematics 

Maths Club 2019

Henry Kendall High School is very fortunate to have an excellent Maths Club. Now in its seventh year, the Club meets each Wednesday after school, filling the library with a happy buzz of Maths talk. There are about 30 students and 15 tutors involved. The students work in small groups with their tutor, consolidating their skills and growing in their confidence and enjoyment of Maths.

To the Smith Family coordinator, Regina, and the Smith Family volunteers, we give a huge THANKS for your generosity and skilfulness. We couldn’t do it without you! Thank you also to our tutors, some of whom have been assisting for many years, and welcome to the new tutors starting this year.

Also, a big shout out to the Henry Kendall High School teachers who kindly volunteer in the Club:  Mrs Toomer, Mrs Bennett, Ms Muscat, Ms Klein and Ms Lill. We are extremely grateful for your time and efforts in helping to ensure the successful running of Maths Club!

Positions for being tutored at Maths Club fill very quickly. To go on the waiting list, please see Ms Lill (Maths staff room) for an application form.

Maths and Milo 2019

Maths and Milo is a maths drop-in centre where older students and some maths staff tutor younger students. It is open to ALL students and happens before school every Tuesday morning in GL9, from 8.00am till 8.55am.

No need to fill out a form, or attend for the whole session – just drop in to get help with your homework or revision over a cup of milo......  or.....come along to tutor a younger student! As well as helping out another student, this will probably help you: have you noticed that explaining something really helps YOU learn it?!

A huge THANKS to the students who have been volunteering as tutors. You have contributed to making Maths and Milo a very successful student-led program! Great leadership opportunity for the resume also! Huge THANKS also to go to Ms Goodacre who ensures the weekly running of Maths & Milo. 😊