Parent & Student Matters
- Literature Awards
- Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey
- Othello Excursion
- Write a Book in a Day
- No Science Club this Thursday
Love of Literature enables Prestigious Awards
There are so many opportunities of authorship but too many are frustrated by the incessant demands of meeting school assessment deadlines. Not so for these talented and creative students - their independent literary efforts have been justly rewarded and acknowledged.
Furthermore, the English Faculty and 2022 Academic Prefects are running a writing competition in the final week of Term 2. All are encouraged to enter.
This competition is in the microfiction form, which asks writers to compose original stories of no more than 100 words. Your story must include the action of catching something (literal or metaphorical interpretations are welcome), as well as the word 'saga'.
Follow the link to add your submission:
https://forms.office.com/r/63mkUzdG0T
Mr Alex Listo - Assistant English Coordinator
Duke of Edinburgh Award - Adventurous Journey 18 - 19 June
This was the second of our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys for Term 2. The journey was broken up in to two parts as a consequence of the many track closures post the severe weather events of Term 1. Nineteen Year 9 students completed their journey by hiking from Mt Ku-Ring-Gai to Cowan, a distance of about 25km (via Brooklyn).
The boys made good time hiking down the Lyre Bird Gully track to the salt marsh boardwalk near Crosslands Reserve. After a short break, they climbed their way back up to Berowra train station for a short train ride to Brooklyn. The boys then spent the night camped at Brooklyn Dam. The following day, the boys continued their journey south to Cowan after taking in the breathtaking views of Brisbane Waters and Jerusalem Bay. A short stop at one of the many Aboriginal heritage sites completed the journey.
The boys were able to practice their bushcraft and navigation skills in addition to being involved in the many leadership opportunities that arose.
A very special thank you to Old Boys Jack Schyvens, Will Owner, Denis Webber and Daniel Butler for their time and assistance with this very worthwhile event.
This was the last of our Bronze level Adventurous Journeys for 2022. If your son missed out, they can wait until our 2023 program or complete their Adventurous Journey external to the College.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award program is open to any student in Year 9 or above at the College. If your son is interested, then he can discuss how to join the program with Mrs Manga our Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator.
Mr Paul de Silva - Outdoor Education Coordinator
Othello Excursion
“O beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on…”
OTHELLO, easily Shakespeare’s most relentless and tightly compressed drama; a dark, brooding thriller. It was an unforgettable experience for all the Year 11 English Advanced students, who had the rare opportunity of seeing this masterpiece live.
This innovative production combined Sport for Jove’s trademark textual clarity and storytelling with a powerful cast and design. The boys were mesmerised by the military setting on stage symbolising a remote military base in an occupied country, where a trusted soldier will work away at the certainty of his commander like an irresistible tide.
This modern adaptation of OTHELLO was saturated with references to oceanic, mystery so esoteric, so high brow - that’s what you get when you enrol in English Advanced. The gargantuan multimedia screen projected this as an aquatic motif throughout the two hour performance in a metaphorical representation of marriage, filial love, persuasion, and the illusion of loyalty.
Mr Alex Listo - Assistant English Coordinator
Write A Book In A Day
This year, two teams of students from each of Years 8, 9 and 10 participated in the National Writing competition, Write a Book in a Day, with the task of writing a book in a day for children with cancer.
The teams of 10 students were given some story-defying parameters to include in their 3,500 word books.
For example, one Year 10’s team were given:
The characters: ballet dancer, astronomer and a cow
The setting: athletics carnival
The issue: magical headphones
The resulting fantasy adventure, The Sound of Moosic is not only humorous but is illustrated by the talented, Fergus Fung.
While the story parameters are a challenge, the greatest test for many students is working in a team of ten with the clock ticking. Students found that their collaborative skills tested just as much as their creative writing skills.
Students expressed their gratitude to Mr Couani and members of the Senior Leadership team, Mr Brannan and Mr Damo for their interest in their stories as well for this opportunity to extend their learning outside the classroom. Thanks also to Mr Cunneen for the photography.
Congratulations to all teams for their enthusiasm to write stories that entertain and bring hope to kids with cancer in hospital.
Mrs Karen Keighery - Library and Information Services Coordinator
NO Science Club this week
Just a reminder that there is no Science Club this week as the school term finishes at 12.00 pm on Thursday. Science Clubwill resume again next term and is held every Day 4, commencing at 1.00 pm in S2.
Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator