ENGLISH

REFLECTING ON BOOK WEEK

In the last English newsletter, I reported on our first ever Book Week celebration at McKinnon, which took place in week 6. It was such a joyous occasion where students, teachers and staff were able to escape into the pleasures of reading. I’ve asked some of our students to reflect on the week. Please enjoy their testimonials.

Charlotte Douglas

English KLA Manager    

HOME

I let my gaze travel across the vast expanse of the ocean, relishing its glory. Letting go is agonising. Yet it’s imperative that I depart before the final rays of sunlight hit the Earth. 

But… 

I vow that this will always be my home, even if I’m light years away.

Riham Russel, Year 7 - Winner of the 50-word story competition

STAFF VS TEACHERS DEBATE

In a lively debate held in the school theatre at lunch, staff and students clashed over the topic "Reading is totally overrated". The staff argued passionately in favour, while the students staunchly defended the value of reading. The atmosphere was electric as both sides delivered compelling arguments and sharp rebuttals, standing out with their exceptional ability to dissect and counter every point made by the opposition, and even sometimes earning laughs and cheers from the audience. 

On the students' side, Ananya Jha (Year 12) stole the show with an unexpected twist - a musical number that not only entertained but cleverly tied into the debate. As the debate raged on, the students’ creativity and resilience paid off. Despite the staff’s strong performance, the students edged out a victory, proving, once and for all, that reading is not totally overrated at all. 

A huge thanks to Mr Hunt, Ms Felmingham and Mr Chamontin for being worthy opponents, Mr Williams and Ms Barakat for helping organize the event and adjudicate, Ms Douglas for her excellent ability to persuade debaters into not going overtime, and finally my excellent teammates, Ananya and Elinor Roif (Year 12), who really helped the negative team's arguments come to life.

Ilya Zyuzin, Year 12

EAST BOOK SWAP MARKET

When I entered the book swap market Tables were set up around the room, each covered with a variety of interesting books. There were novels, graphic novels, and even some non-fiction books. It was like a mini library filled with choices.

I brought a few of my books to swap that I thought somebody else would love to read and somebody was so excited to pick them up. As I looked through the tables, I saw so many books that caught my eye. There was one book I was waiting for months to read and three books I wanted to try out.

One of the best parts was getting recommendations and seeing some friends happy with their finds. And how I got recommendations back and got some good books to try.

The Book Swap Market in East Campus was not only a chance to find new books but also a fun way to share our reading interests with each other. It was a memorable day filled with book discussions and exciting discoveries.

Elizabeth Osborne, Year 8

AMBIENT READING

Ever since Year 9, my friends and I have always talked about how awesome it would be if we could celebrate Book Week at McKinnon Secondary College; and this year, that dream has finally come true, bringing with it one of the most enchanting forms of escapism known to man: teachers reading to ambient music! I must admit, the name itself does not seem to carry with it the thrill and excitement of being whisked away on a magical adventure. 

However, if you can imagine yourself sitting down next to your friends in a warm and comfy huddle; a visage of a fireplace crackling before your eyes; jazzy music playing softly in the background; and teachers sitting upon a couch, their noses buried deep in the yellowed pages of a book as their voices suddenly breathe life into the wonderful worlds of Shuggie Bain, a boy who dances in spite of the societal judgement directed at him; of James Balwin, and his profound letter to his nephew that may be the key to solving racism in America; or of Britney Spears and her own moving journey of self-discovery, then you might come close to my experience of this incredible activity.

I could not have asked for a better respite from the increasing pressures of Year 12 and from the incessant cacophony of everyday life, even if it was just for one lunchtime!

Katy Do, Year 12

McKINNON RD BOOK DRIVE

After a long, hard six years of waiting, Book Week finally arrived, and it did not disappoint! 

The second day of festivities lured book lovers to the Book Drive, where they could exchange their old books for something new and exciting: romance, fantasy, crime, science fiction, you name it - there was something for everyone. Amidst the chaos taking place in the MERC, I saw Ms Douglas bombarded with requests that the Book Drive become a regular event, and our cries of joy and exclamations of enthusiasm could probably be heard from across the road. 

From Sense and Sensibility to Twilight, the eclectic tastes of our school community were on show, and the pain of well-loved books being torn away was assuaged by the satisfying weight of up to three new ones in our school bags (never mind our back pain from lugging them home, it was worth it!) Thank you so much to Ms Douglas and the other English staff for organising a wonderful first McKinnon Book Week, and here’s to many more to come!

Rowen Hull, Year 12