English

This term, our students will focus on developing their skills in Writing, Speaking & Listening, and Reading. 

In writing, we’ve moved from self-reflection to studying biographies, where students will learn to research, organise ideas, and structure their writing effectively. 

In Speaking & Listening, we’ll build on the public speaking strategies introduced in Year 5 by Judith Field, encouraging students to speak with a strong voice and incorporate storytelling into their speeches. 

This term, Year 6 students will be reading the novel Skellig by acclaimed author David Almond as part of our English program aligned with the Victorian Curriculum. The story follows Michael, a boy who discovers a mysterious, fragile man living in a dilapidated garage and gradually uncovers a powerful tale about friendship, compassion, courage, and the space between reality and imagination.

Skellig explores themes such as belonging, family change, empathy, resilience, and what it means to care for others. Students will engage in rich discussions, written responses, and creative tasks that build comprehension, critical thinking, and interpretation skills. 

They will analyse characters, themes, and language choices, and consider how authors use symbolism and descriptive writing to create meaning.

While the novel includes moments of tension and emotional depth, it is age-appropriate and handled sensitively in class. We look forward to sharing students’ learning as they explore this thought-provoking and much-loved text.