English & Literacy

English

Our students have had an excellent start in Year 7 English this year. They have thoroughly enjoyed stepping out of their comfort zone, experiencing what it is like to work as a professional journalist as they interviewed a significant adult in their lives. English staff have been thrilled to see our students work, namely interview recordings, interview transcripts, and students’ final feature article submissions. Students are encouraged to continue trying new experiences in English, and to continue thinking about how their English studies will impact their future careers.

English staff at Yarrabing Secondary College have received some very exciting news. We have been able to secure time with the author of our selected novel, The Secret Library of Hummingbird House, to talk to our students about creating a novel. This is a very exciting opportunity for students to speak to a Melbourne-based author, asking questions about the novel to be studied in Term 2, and to receive creative-writing advice from a professional writer. A Compass Event has been created to request all parents and guardians for consent to participate and a $5 payment to cover the cost of our incursion. Our students appear very excited for this wonderful opportunity.

Julianne Negri, author of The Secret Library of Hummingbird HouseSource: State Library of Victoria Website 2024

Literacy

It has been fantastic to see our students engaging with reading throughout Term 1 in their literacy classes. Students have been engaging in a variety of reading comprehension strategies with the intention of viewing reading as a positive experience. Literacy staff would greatly appreciate support from parents and guardians to ensure students have protected time everyday, preferably 30 minutes, to complete independent reading. This is important to support their learning across all subject areas.

Ryan Walsh

Curriculum Leader