English & Literacy

Term 2 has been an exciting time for students in both Year 7 & 8 with collaborative work at the fore. 

Year 7s have been enjoying reading a variety of short stories in order to acquire research-driven reading strategies - predicting, inferring, making connections, questioning, visualising, summarising and synthesising. It has been wonderful witnessing students learn how to engage in formal discussions in their groups, and we are looking forward to how they utilise these reading strategies when studying the booklisted novel, The Secret Library of Hummingbird House, in Term 3.

Moreover, Year 8s have delved into analyses of aesthetic qualities of texts. Students have explored poetic elements of language across a number of language subsystems: lexicology and morphology, phonology, syntax and semantics. They have been able to explore aesthetic qualities of language from a wide array from texts, including slam poetry, songs, blogs, children’s stories and speeches in the public domain. 

Wynspeak Public Speaking Competition

On the evening of Thursday 22 May, the 7th Wynspeak Qualifying Round took place at Lakeview Senior College. Juoiwyn (7A), Nmachi (8C) and Amna (8C) delivered a 4-minute prepared speech on a topic of their choosing. They spoke of parking scarcity at Rockbank Station and its subsequent dangers, the importance of neuroplasticity and the pursuit of one’s passions, and the need for sustainable fashion in the current climate. In addition, each student presented a 2-minute improvised speech upon receiving a topic minutes prior to presentation. Well done to these students for working so hard in preparation for the night, and for representing your school with pride!

Ryan Walsh

Curriculum Leader