ENGLISH LEARNING AREA

Students have industriously engaged in some challenging novels and plays from past eras in a deep study of traditional English literature this term. 

Year 9 students focus on The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the famous gothic fiction novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. It deals with profound and universal ideas and elements. Despite the difference in time and place for students, they are able to implicitly understand and relate almost immediately to the moralistic tragedy of the tale, as well as be thrilled by the terror of the plot and the despairing motifs of betrayal and the duality of human nature.  

Year 10  students have their first mainstream experience of Shakespeare in Term 3, while Year 11 students take on 'The Bard' once more. Students in Year 10 discover the tragic, unrequited passions of Romeo and Juliet while Year 11 students traverse the torrid path of Macbeth in the harrowing and bleak struggle for ‘the golden round’.  

We are extremely privileged to retain such valuable, traditional texts on our booklist at a time when other schools find these too difficult for students to access. English remains a vital study at St Joseph’s College, and each year our students’ ardent efforts are richly rewarded with a detailed understanding of literary elements and the most daunting elements of humanity, as well as the ability to authentically respond in writing to texts whose value in the English canon is unquestioned. Hence, the students are taking measured steps toward a classical education in English in every sense as well as preparing directly for the rigours of writing in Units 3 and 4 English. 

Additionally, Term 3 sees live performances of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth by our longstanding friends, The Complete Works Theatre Company. These performances offer students the opportunity to see the plays they are studying acted out in the Mercy Theatre, something that rural students are not often able to do without traveling to a larger city.  

Finally, we are extremely fortunate this term once more to host Ross Huggard, VCE specialist, former examiner, assessor and contributor to the VCE Study Design. Ross will be conducting VCE English Revision Lectures for Year 12. This year we are extending Ross’ time for the benefit of students and will be additionally holding a Unit 3 VCE Preparation Lecture for Year 11 and three Unit 4 English after school Masterclasses, each of one hours’ duration, during which key skills in English will be refined and elevated for our students in preparation for their final exams. 

This is an amazing opportunity for all VCE English students who would usually have to travel to Melbourne and or pay for an equivalent. Further information will be provided to students later in the term, but please encourage your child/ren to sign up for the Masterclass if they are in Year 12. 

Ms Joelene Cappola

English Learning Area Facilitator