Classroom Corner 

Welcome to Classroom Corner

In the last Newsletter, we shared some examples of ‘Bump it Up’ writing as students were preparing to write a speech to persuade an audience of their peers which character from the novel, New Boy should be the main character in a sequel.

Check out the completed writing for the Final Task from Lily in 5 Blue! She has expertly written a speech to persuade the audience that the character of Lachlan should be the focus for a sequel to New Boy. 

You have convinced me, Lily!

New Boy sequel/prequel speech - Lily

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests and fellow South Africans, I stand before you today to advocate for the inclusion of Lachlan parks as the central figure in any potential sequel to the fan favourite, award winning and beloved Nick Earls novel, New boy. Lachlan may have been self-centred and complex but, what if there was more, what if he just needed help, what if all he needed was Herschelle. This is an opposing, open opportunity waiting for us to help quench our ideas; What if he befriended Herschelle and fixed his past mistakes? Why was he recognised as such a vain character and a bully? What are his family problems that cause his upbringing to lash out on others? These are what we need to set flight and explore deeply into these ideas and finally uncover the enjoyment, laughter and world wide opportunity’s with Lachlan parks starring as the Main character.

First and foremost, In the original novel, we witnessed how Lachlan was a horrific bully to Herschelle and other fellow students. He chose to bully Herschelle for his accent, culture and other reasons. Without knowing, he deeply dedicated himself to bullying Herschelle and encouraging other students to participate in this cruel act. I propose to design a new and improved Lachlan in this sequel. The change in Lachlan would give readers a fresh perspective of a once cruel character, transformed into a pleasant and acceptable being in Herschelle’s mind.

Furthermore, in the perspective of the first book Lachlan is a bully, he thrives by bullying Herschelle to seem cool and it’s his idea of success. In Lachlan’s mind he believes nobody can like him unless he bully’s people, unless people are afraid of him, unless he has a sense of power. So why is Lachlan a bully? This sequel idea offers a rich tapestry for storytelling, we can uncover and delve into his younger self and discover reasons, answers and clues on his life and even, maybe his darkest secrets.

Moreover, in the untouched previous novel, a glimpse of Lachlan’s dad strikes the viewers as he glides along the pages. When this act occurs his dad is at the school during a meeting with Mr browning his phone non-discreetly rings as he tries to step out of the room to answer it Mr browning steps in. Surprisingly Lachlan’s dad acts as if he didn’t really mind and didn’t have the time to talk about the fight breaking out at school that included his son. What if this could contribute to how Lachlan’s thoughts on good are shaped? This idea brings a new beginning to Lachlan parks and maybe to change our perspective. Picture this: what if Lachlan’s childhood tables have turned in the past years? What if he was actually raised in a heartfelt house? What if Lachlan’s harsh or loving childhood is intertwined with his thoughts of life now? 

In conclusion, Lachlan parks is more than a character defined by his flaws; he is a symbol of potential and growth. By making him the main character in this sequel to “New Boy,” we open the door to a wealth of storytelling possibilities that will captivate audiences, impart valuable lessons and renew the life of Lachlan parks world from a fresh perspective. Let us give Lachlan the chance to shine and show that even the most unlikely heroes can embark on extraordinary journeys. 

Thank you for your time and remember, Lachlan is a true born star…