English

The English and Languages team is excited about our core priorities for 2025, including student engagement with reading and formative writing tasks.

Parents and guardians can support the reading program by talking with students about reading. Conversations about reading are as crucial in secondary schooling as they are in primary education.

This photo exemplifies a reading conversation led by Year 11 Literature students. These students chose a passage from their novel, took notes on how language conveys key ideas and taught their peers about literary tropes such as foreshadowing and symbolism.

When students frequently share their thinking processes with their teachers, a feedback loop strengthens comprehension, creativity, analysis, and recall.

Students from years 9 to 11 have been studying how films explore critical social issues such as prejudice, gender stereotypes, and justice. Students have been making personal connections with various films, exploring how the messages from these films are relevant in the real world. They have also examined how combinations of film techniques create mood and enhance audience engagement. Year 12 students have been reflecting on a series of mentor texts about ‘Personal Journeys’. The mentor texts model different forms of expression. Students then choose writing forms to express their thoughts and feelings about life-changing experiences. Their Retreat experience in Week 7 provided opportunities to reflect on how significant moments and relationships can influence values, purpose, and identity. The Year 12 teaching team looks forward to seeing how these introspective moments translate into powerful writing.

It is fantastic to see the partnership with St Mary’s continuing to flourish, and the teaching of AUSLAN thriving at St John’s. Thank you to Emily Dias for her ongoing support of the AUSLAN program.

The teaching of Italian is also thriving. Thank you to Franca De Francesco, Lorenzo Diab, and Joe Sirianni for their expertise and passion. Their love of language continues to inspire students. When students see the world through the lens of another language, their understandings of culture and communication deepen. We look forward to seeing our Italian students progress throughout 2025 and beyond.