VCE Literature excursions

Learning about the interconnections between Country, culture and identity

‘Voices of Country’ is a new Area of Study in Year 11 Literature that focuses on texts by First Nations authors and creators. On the final day of Term 2 the Year 11 Literature classes participated in the Koorie Heritage Trust walking tour and viewed and reflected on works of art by Aboriginal artists at the NGV. The students learnt about the interconnections between Country, culture and identity, learning about the significance of cultural practices such as possum skin cloak making, and the history of sites along the Yarra River. Throughout the unit students will reflect on the voices of First Nations poets, artists and filmmakers and consider texts that embody acts of reclamation, resistance and resilience whilst reflecting upon the ongoing effects of colonisation as captured in these text.

~Anna Carrig

Uncle Vanya at Theatre Works

Recently, the Year 12 literature classes went to Theatre Works to watch a live adaptation of the play that we’ve been studying, Uncle Vanya. The play was perfectly balanced between presenting a faithful retelling of Chekhov’s story and taking creative liberties in modernising it for a new audience, which made for an enjoyable and refreshing experience. The use of contemporary music meshed well with the more austere costume designs and was reinforced by the fantastic delivery of the actors, who implemented more modern language into their lines. This made the play and feel less like a reenactment of a certain period in Russian history and rather made characters more relatable to see interact with one another.

The actors gave an undeniable energy to the play that kept your attention and always had you on the edge of your seat, even when you knew what was going to happen next! The most memorable moment was the climax of the play when a gun is pulled on Serebryakov, as the ensuing panic filled the theatre and brought you directly into the scene. My favourite character was Vanya, simply due to how well the actor playing him committed to the role. I always saw the character as a disgruntled man moping about the estate, but in this play, he was a rambling melodramatic that always placed himself centre of the stage, making him a treat to see monologue about his grudges.

From start to finish, the play was an amazing experience that I and all of year 12 literature were glad to see. The music, design, and acting gave the play its own unique identity, and left a lasting impression on everyone there. 

~Nick Moraitis