English Department Report 

Before anything else, I wanted to reach out to all families on behalf of the English team to say a hearty congratulations and thanks to our Years 7 and 9 cohorts on the completion of NAPLAN. While catch up sessions are ongoing, the majority of tests have now been completed, and it is fantastic to see so many dedicated students. 

In our regular classes, each of our year levels are currently drawing to a close in their current units. 

In our Year 7, 8, and 9 classes, we are seeing the conclusion of our Framework unit, where students are finishing off their creative writing as informed by mentor texts. Next up for each of these year levels is their Text study unit.  

Our Year 7s will be studying Blueback, by Tim Winton. Meanwhile, our Year 8s will be studying The Giver by Lois Lowry. Finally, our Year 9s will be studying The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. Our Year 10 cohort have just wrapped up their own Framework unit, with both a creative and persuasive piece behind them. They are moving into their Personal Connections unit, wherein they will be reading and analysing John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, before completing both an essay and a short speech regarding their thoughts on the text. 

Our VCE English students have been hard at work completing their own Personal Connection and text analysis units, while the English Language students have been practicing their metalanguage and subsystems in both short answer and long form responses. 

Our VCE VM students have been hard at work practicing for their hike, as well as completing a variety of writing excercises and assessments. 

As Term 1 draws to a close, it is a fantastic time to focus on what matters most. Take the time to read a book, or engage in a debate over the next few weeks, it can do wonderful things to help your mood.