English Learning Area Snapshot
Book Club Update
Our after-school Book Club meets twice a term (Weeks 3 and 7), with around 25 students attending—mostly Year 8s at the moment. For our next read, we’ll all be diving into Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Students also share and recommend other books they’ve enjoyed.
This year, we’ve read a wide range of titles, including:
- Great Expectations
- 1984
- The Book Thief
- Divergent (a favourite!)
- Animal Farm
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Ender's Game
- Fighting Reuben Wolfe
- The History of Mischief
Each session ends with tasty snacks and great conversation. New members are always welcome!
Year 11 & 12 Literature Excursion – Theatre Experience
This term, our Year 11 and 12 Literature students attended a performance of Never Have I Ever at the State Theatre Centre in Northbridge. This excursion was designed to enrich their understanding of Drama, a key component of the Literature curriculum.
Never Have I Ever, a debut play by Deborah Frances-White—comedian, screenwriter, and host of the acclaimed podcast The Guilty Feminist—offered a sharp and humorous critique of contemporary society, exploring themes of cash, class, and identity. Students thoroughly enjoyed the performance, finding it both thought-provoking and entertaining. The opportunity to engage with live theatre alongside their peers was a highlight of the term.
Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback, we are pleased to announce a second excursion in September to see Antigone, a WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) production of the classic Greek tragedy. This will further support students’ exploration of dramatic texts and theatrical conventions.
English and Literature Curtin Conference
Our Year 12 English and Literature ATAR students participated in the annual Curtin University English and Literature Conference. The event offered a dynamic and enriching experience, featuring lectures led by expert presenters from the disciplines of English, Writing, and Cultural Studies. Students explored a wide range of topics and gained valuable insights into literary analysis and contemporary issues in the field. The conference also provided a glimpse into university life, helping students build confidence and motivation as they prepare for their post-secondary studies. Overall, the experience was both educational and inspiring, offering opportunities for learning, networking, and personal growth.
Celebrating Stories & School Spirit – Book Week Highlights
Week 5 was all about celebrating our love of books! The English Learning Area ran a week of fun lunchtime activities that brought students together in creative and exciting ways:
🧙♂️ Monday: Harry Potter Quiz
📖 Tuesday: Create Your Own Book Title
🦸♀️ Wednesday: Marvel Universe Quiz
✍️ Thursday: 7-Word Story Challenge
🎨 Friday: Design a Book Cover
It was fantastic to see so many students getting involved, working in teams, and showing off their literary flair. Prizes, laughter, and lots of imagination made it a week to remember!
Write A Book In A Day - Book Week 2025
Applecross Senior High School has a proud tradition of participating in the Write a Book in a Day project, an initiative that brings together students from Years 7 to 12 in a collaborative effort to write and illustrate an original book within just eight hours. Sponsored by the Kids with Cancer Foundation, the project blends creativity and competition with a meaningful cause—raising awareness and funds to support children living with cancer.
All completed books are donated to children’s hospitals, where they are read and judged by young patients, making the experience both rewarding and impactful for our students.
Those who take part embrace the challenge with enthusiasm, producing imaginative and heartfelt stories under time pressure. In 2021, our Year 10 team achieved outstanding success, winning both the WA and National divisions with their book Timeless.
This year, we saw our largest participation yet, with seven teams involved—an inspiring testament to the creativity and motivation of our students. It was a privilege to work with such passionate young writers. Beyond storytelling, the project fosters essential life skills such as teamwork, negotiation, and responsibility.
Most importantly, it’s a beautiful example of young people supporting young people—a powerful and uplifting equation.
We also like to proudly announce that Madeline Board, a Year 9 student and member of The Rebels team, has been selected as the winner of the June monthly fundraising prize pack for Write a Book in a Day. Madeline’s exceptional fundraising efforts stood out among participants. Her dedication to the cause reflects the spirit of compassion and creativity that defines the project.
What is happening in the Year 7 English Space?
Our Year 7s have just wrapped up their deep dive into the world of advertising, learning how images, words, and clever techniques work together to influence us every day. Now, they’re stepping into a new challenge: persuasive writing. Throughout this unit, students will get to voice their own perspectives, challenge ideas, and craft arguments designed to make readers stop and think. It’s all about sharpening their critical thinking and communication skills, while having a say on the issues that matter most to them!
What is happening in the Year 8 English Space?
Our Year 8 students have just finished a thought-provoking unit centred around Environmental Citizenship, diving into a range of documentaries and exploring their hopes for the future of our planet. Now they’re embarking on an exciting journey with Philip Pullman's Frankenstein. This classic text invites readers to explore big ideas about science, responsibility, and what it truly means to be 'human'!
What is happening in the Year 9 English Space?
Year 9 students have just finished delivering their oral presentations in the style of a TED Talk, Video Podcast or Debate. There were some really fantastic, thought provoking and entertaining presentations, and it was impressive to see their video editing skills!
What is happening in the Year 10 English Space?
Year 10s are researching social issues and using their research to inspire memoirs and open letters. This unit will build towards an oral presentation in the style of a debate or panel discussion where they take multiple perspectives on the same issue.
Justina Pereira - HoLA English