What's going on in English?
Curious about what’s happening in your child’s English classroom? Wondering what you can do to support your child’s learning? Well look no further, because here’s an update!
Our superb year sevens are completing and submitting a text response essay about the moral implications of lying versus telling the truth. Students attended remote learning in high numbers and have been actively participating in the work provided in class now that we are back on campus. All students are encouraged to borrow and read books from our fabulous school library, and to discuss their weekly English homework with a parent or carer. You can support your year seven child by asking questions about the work they are doing in English, and encouraging active participation in reading and writing activities both inside and outside of the classroom. Providing a quiet and organised work area and allocating time each afternoon to study is a brilliant way to encourage your child to stay on top of their school-work. We welcome students looking for some additional support to attend homework club Monday to Thursday in the school library where our fantastic team of tutors are waiting to help them!
Our enthusiastic year eights are completing an analytical essay based on the novel ‘Once’ which they have been enjoying in English this term. Students participated well during remote learning, and have come back into the English classroom with enthusiasm and energy now that we are back on site! The library staff have a brilliant collection of new books available to students and we encourage them all to pop in and have a look, perhaps even borrow a few to read after school or during the break! You can support your child in their English work by checking in weekly about their reading and homework completion, and encouraging them by providing a time and space for quiet study each afternoon. Year eight students seeking support are encouraged to attend our brilliant homework club, where a team of highly qualified tutors are available to support them Monday to Thursday in the library.
Our next-level year nines are finalising and handing in an analytical essay based on the novel ‘Trash’ which they have been enthusiastically reading both in and outside of their English classes. Our year nine cohort participated well during remote learning, and have returned to the classroom ready for success in their academic endeavours. The school’s library team have been busy ordering lots of new books which students are encouraged to come in and borrow and enjoy to improve their reading, speaking and writing as well as developing a love of literature. You can support your year nine child by checking in with them about their progress through the homework booklet, in which they have a weekly task to complete. A quiet study area and time to complete school work or revision each afternoon is an absolute must! Year nine students seeking additional support with their class work are encouraged to take advantage of our fantastic team of tutors who are available in the library Monday to Thursday after school.
Our tenacious year tens have been busily writing and submitting a text response essay based on the memoir ‘Unpolished Gem’ which they have been busily preparing for several weeks. We are very proud of our year ten cohort, who took part in our remote learning lessons with enthusiasm and demonstrated the STARR value of responsibility by completing their work from home. Year ten students are strongly encouraged to pursue challenging reading outside of school, and to look deeper into the meaning and message behind the things we see and hear around us. You can support your year ten child by checking in weekly to ensure they have completed the appropriate work in their English homework booklet, and ensuring that they have the quiet, space and time at home for independent study and revision each afternoon. Year ten students are encouraged to seek additional support from their classroom teacher or from the tutor team in the library Monday to Thursday afternoons to ensure they keep on track with their learning.
Our versatile VCE English students have demonstrated commitment to academic success by completing several practice assessments before their final argument analysis task completed at the end of this term, one of which was done from home. Our remote learning program was rigorous and challenging, and we commend our students who engaged with the work with motivation and determination. Our VCE English cohort are encouraged to use the silent study area in the library to focus on important work, and to pursue challenging reading and writing tasks outside of your regular school work to ensure they are ready to achieve their best possible result in assessments and exams. You can support your child in their VCE English studies by checking in with them on their reading of the set texts for their next or current unit of work, ensuring that they are up to date in their English homework booklet and providing the space, quiet and time each afternoon for some sustained individual study or revision. VCE English teachers are available to provide support to your child as and when they need it, so we encourage students to be proactive in approaching their teacher or Ms Radbourne the head of English for one on one help.
We are very proud of all of our students here at Melton Secondary College, their hard work and kindness are the reason we love the work we do. The English teaching team are always happy to hear from you; you can contact your child’s English teacher via Compass or by phoning the school if you would like to talk further about how you can be part of your child’s academic success.
Leigh Radbourne, Head of English
