English News
A Spotlight on Reading and Writing in the Classrooms...
Junior School
Our youngest writers have been drawing inspiration from their own experiences! They have been busy crafting personal narratives, turning everyday moments and special memories into wonderful written stories. It has been fantastic seeing their confidence grow as they learn to share their own voices on the page.
Middle School
Excitement is high in Year 3 as students dive into their very first Novel Study! They are exploring Roald Dahl’s beloved classic, James and the Giant Peach. Together, they are analysing characters, tracking plot developments, and discovering the joy of getting lost in a longer chapter book.
Our Year 4 students are delving into a meaningful topic in Australian history as they explore First Nations perspectives on early British settlement. In writing, they are focusing on non-fiction and "writing to explain," developing their ability to structure clear, informative texts using factual evidence. Through studying historical accounts from Indigenous viewpoints, students are building both their historical understanding and critical thinking skills as they learn to present complex ideas clearly and respectfully.
Senior School
Our upper primary students are taking their writing and reading comprehension to the next level. Alongside their own novel studies, Year 5 and 6 students are doing a deep dive into the mechanics of paragraphing, learning how to organise complex ideas, create smooth transitions, and elevate the overall structure of their writing.
Our Year 6 Book Week leaders have also been busy preparing some surprises for our most junior students for Book Week, whilst arranging posters, spreading the excitment and selecting judges for our annual Book Week Parade.
Book Week is Coming!
It’s almost time for the most magical week on the school calendar! From August 17th to 21st, we will be celebrating CBCA Children’s Book Week. This year’s theme is 'Symphony of Stories', celebrating how different voices, characters, and adventures come together to create something beautiful.
We remind all families that the Book Week Parade will run in lieu of Assembly, on Friday 21st August at 9am. Family and friends are encouraged to stay and watch as the children partake in the Parade, celebrating the creativity of the student's costumes.
Judges have been selected by our Year 6 Book Week Leaders. They have the difficult job of selecting the most creative costumes on the day.
Alongside the Parade, a range of activities will take place to celebrate all texts that have been shortlisted for the CBCA awards this year. A snapshot of these include
A performance inspired by the shortlisted books
A visit from a young author, to discuss the writing, editing and publishing process
Reading sessions across year levels
St Joseph's Book Week Awards for the shortlisted texts
Premiers' Reading Challenge
Our numbers are growing! The students participating at St Joseph's have now read an impressive 999 books!
There are 36 days left of the reading challenge, and we are excited to see who else gets to completion.
Congratulations to the following students who have also completed the challenge. We look forward to celebrating our superstars as a whole once our certificates arrive.
Luka P - Year One
Henry C - Year Two
Maxim P - Year Two
Alice D - Year Three
Kallum W - Year Four
Harry A - Year Four
Cohen M - Year Four
Happy Reading,
Mrs Harrison & Ms Dusting
English Leaders