English News
Beginning Term 3 :
English Department
The English Department has had a productive start to the term, with all year levels commencing new units of study.
Year 7 students have begun reading Emily Rodda's novel His Name Was Walter, while the Year 7 Advanced class is undertaking a unit on film studies, developing their understanding of visual and cinematic techniques.
Year 8 classes are completing a film study on Hunt for the Wilderpeople, examining how directors use film language to shape meaning. In Year 8 Advanced, students have each selected a dystopian novel of their own choosing and are analysing the conventions of the genre.
Year 9 students have commenced Gary Paulsen's novel Hatchet and are working towards an analytical text response essay. The Year 9 Advanced class has begun its study of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.
In Year 10, students have started their study of Shakespeare with Romeo and Juliet, while the Year 10 Advanced class is currently preparing to study Macbeth.
Year 11 students are developing their skills in Analysing Argument, a key component of the senior English course. Our Year 12 students are completing their final term of coursework, concluding their study of Jane Harrison's play Rainbow's End alongside their work on Analysing Argument. We wish them well as they move into their examination preparation in around 70 days.
Writing Competition
Thank you to all students who submitted entries to this year's writing competition. A total of 145 entries were received across the year levels, and the standard of writing was impressive, making the judging a difficult task. We congratulate all students who took part.
The following poem, by Kirrily Renehan (10E), is one of the entries received:
If the walls could talk
They would mourn the students that once walked these halls.
Graduated and disappeared, fingerprints fading.
Secret stolen kisses, fights broken out.
The life of an observer, watching and waiting.
For the day they may utter a word
A name of someone missing years ago, a name of an optimistic new student.
All important, all together, united by their school
Nobody to remember them all.
Nobody except the wall
Wearing down in its years, soon to be demolished
But memory shall always persist.
Nicholas Morlin
English Teaching & Learning Leader
ICAS Assessments Underway
Our ICAS assessments have officially begun, with students participating in the Digital Technologies, Writing and English competitions. Students have approached each assessment with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, arriving organised and ready to do their best. Throughout each exam, students remained focused and demonstrated excellent concentration and commitment. We are very proud of the way our students have embraced the opportunity to challenge themselves and showcase their skills.
Later in August, students will complete the ICAS Science and Mathematics assessments. Students are reminded to check Compass for their allocated assessment time and location.
ICAS results for each assessment are generally available approximately 10 days after the assessment week has finished. The Writing results take several weeks longer to process and will be released once they have been finalised. Students will receive their ICAS certificates at the end of the term.
We wish all students the very best for their remaining assessments and congratulate them on their excellent effort, organisation and commitment so far!
Amanda Tate
ICAS Coordinator