Year 8 English

Engaging with social and political issues through persuasive writing

Throughout Term 4, our Year 8 cohort studied persuasive writing. Based on topics of interest, they have written opinion pieces supported by the writing process and engaged in ongoing peer and teacher-conferencing to develop and refine their skills. 

Below are two extracts from excellent pieces of writing. Both reflect the broader picture, that NHS students have great capacity for social and political commentary and harness their voice to write compelling pieces worth reading. 

~Ms Bossio

Queer school students and staff need better protection in law and practice

by Freya

Under federal law, religious private schools in Australia have the ability to expel or fire students, teachers, and staff on the basis of their gender, sexuality, or romantic orientation. There have been multiple efforts to change this piece of legislation, but none have passed, with the creation of the Religious Discrimination Bill only making further action more difficult. 

The main issue the government has with changing laws regarding LGBTQIA+ students and staff of religious private schools is determining exactly how much action should be taken, and how far religious discrimination extends into queer rights. 

The fact that there even needs to be discussion surrounding whether allowing queer people to exist unconditionally in religious environments is a breach of religious rights, shows plainly why religion and religious upbringings can be such a painful topic for LGBTQIA+ people, when religion and religious education is supposed to impart the importance of virtues such as mercy, acceptance, and fairness. 

Read more of Freya's persuasive writing:

Murdoch’s meddling in worldwide media causes major consequences in society

by Oscar

Australia, a country that has always prided itself on its fair and democratic elections and political systems has put itself into a giant monopoly game. Rupert Murdoch, and his company, News Corp own over 70% of the country’s print, broadcast, and digital media outlets. Just to name a few, Murdoch owns Foxtel, Sky news, The Australian, the Herald Sun, the Daily telegraph and news.com but that is only tip of the iceberg stuff. The submerged part of this iceberg contains a vast majority of local papers, worldwide magazines, betting agencies, and somehow even many more state papers......

I am fortunate enough to be writing this piece just six days before the Victorian state election, so for research purposes I decided to dive into the deep and devious depths of the Herald Sun, and much to my surprise (not) on the front page I was met with four out of the six articles condemning Daniel Andrews and the labour party in some way or another. I then ventured in to the ‘state election’ section of the website and the major headlines read: ‘Dan’s mischievous gas plans revealed’ and ‘Voters left in the dark on corruption findings, accompanied by a picture of the Victorian premier. Another curiosity is how much they criticised Daniel Andrews and in comparison, how much less propaganda there was towards who should be their poster boy, Matthew Guy. Honestly, this is along the lines of obsession.  

Read more of Oscar's opinions on media bias: