English & Junior News

The English Wide-Reading Program at GEC

The weekly reading program for Year Seven, Eight and Nine students at GEC has become integral to the school’s educational landscape; both in providing and developing key reading skills that can be applied across the curriculum, and in promoting a love of books and reading. An initiative which was first introduced by then literacy specialist, Justine Douglas, has become vital for so many reasons. In a world that is now dominated by snappy Instagram posts and Tik Tok reels that offer quick dopamine hits but little more, research shows that not only does reading a book stimulate the brain, it is relaxing, and improves cognitive functioning: memory, focus and problem-solving. Our library sessions not only expose students to different ideas and perspectives but assists in the development of critical thinking skills and empathy building. In an age of technology this reading program combats many of the distractions and anxieties that are on the rise in our Australian schools. The program targets comprehension skills, vocabulary development and free writing,  and is a gateway for all students but particularly male students - according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, males aged between 15-24 are the least likely demographic to read in this country - to reignite their love for reading. 

The English Learning Area

Junior News

Journalism Club have been hard at work putting together the latest edition of Junior News.

Please find below.