English News
Beginning of Term 4:
English Department
This term in the English team, teachers and students have been working on completing units of work and getting ready for final assessments and preparing for the upcoming examination period.
In Year 7 classes have been continuing their reading of the novel “His name was Walter" by Emily Rodda. Students have been completing in depth comprehension questions and discussing key ideas and themes from the text. This work will lead into the end of year exam and test the students on their understanding of the text, its themes and symbols.
In Year 8 the classes have been reading “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. This is a dystopian text and it has provided the students with opportunities to make connections with the book to real life. The ideas and themes have been challenging for some students as the characters in the book think they are living in a Utopian society, however the use of control, lack of personal freedoms and propaganda underpin the society
In Year 9 the students have been completing their reading of the Australian novel “Runner” by Robert Newton. Set in the 1920’s in the period just after WW1, students have made connections to the setting - based in the inner suburb of Richmond. The themes of family, friendship and striving for a goal are underpinned by the choices and actions of “Charlie” - the key protagonist of the novel. This work will lead to additional assessment in class and opportunities to show their understanding of the book.
In Year 10 the students have been reading the Shakespearean classic “Romeo and Juliet”. Students have been looking deeply at the language and meanings in the text and have been focused on the themes of family, conflict and love.
In Year 11 students have recently completed the SAC on argument analysis and are completing class work in preparation for the upcoming end of year exams. Essay writing practise and discussions in class have assisted students to identify things they are doing well and areas they still need to work on.
In VCE Year 12, the students have been making appointments with their teachers and coming into school to discuss practice exams and collect feedback on their progress in preparation for the VCE English exam.
This work is the culmination of 13 years of schooling and an opportunity for students to demonstrate their English knowledge and skills in essay writing and presenting their analysis of questions in detailed text responses.
Adam Myors
Director of English
Inspiring Guest Speaker for Accelerated English Students
This week, our Year 8, 9, and 10 Accelerated English classes had the privilege of hearing from Tina, a former high-achieving VCE student who scored a study score of 50 in English.
Tina has also been working closely with our Year 12 English students throughout the past semester, supporting them with essay writing, breaking down prompts, and deepening their understanding of analytical and comparative writing.
Her guidance has already made a meaningful impact across the senior cohort.
During her presentation, Tina shared the study strategies that helped her achieve her results, speaking candidly about her approach to learning, what worked well for her, and the adjustments she had to make along the way. She also reflected on what she would have improved if she could revisit her final year, offering practical and relatable insights to our students.
The Q&A session sparked a great deal of interest, particularly when students learned that Tina also achieved a raw study score of 40 in Specialist Maths.
She spoke about the importance of balance, consistency, and finding confidence in your own learning process. When asked about her decision to become a teacher despite having an ATAR that opened doors to a wide range of competitive pathways, Tina shared her passion for education and her desire to inspire and support young learners.
Our students left the session feeling motivated and encouraged, with new strategies and perspectives to bring into their studies. We sincerely thank Tina for her ongoing contribution to our school community and the invaluable advice she continues to share with our students.
Amanda Tate
Classroom Teacher