English

End of Term 

The year has flown by, with it being the end of Term 1 already!  Our students have worked diligently in their English studies, developing their understanding of key events, characters, and themes.  The Year 10s have studied Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and have shown tremendous insight and understanding of the events and characters in this story. Particularly pleasing was the students’ capacity to begin analysing Lee’s own views and values about the key themes and characters.  They have begun using terms, such as criticise, condone, and challenge, accurately and with deliberate intent when discussing Lee’s views.  This level of analysis is key in VCE English and will hold our students in good stead for their future studies. 

Our upcoming unit is focused on Personal Journeys, which is most appropriate going into holidays where our students will travel within Melbourne, regionally across Victoria, interstate and even some lucky ones internationally.  This unit will challenge our students to consider how a person changes throughout their lifetime because of both physical travel and emotional development.

Mrs Ellen Hansen

Year 10 English Teacher

Our Year 12 students have worked hard this term to complete their first SAC, a creative response to the film Sunset Boulevard. After engaging in analysis of the key themes, literary devices, characterisation and values, they used writer’s workshops to craft their responses. Many students developed unique and sophisticated responses to the text. Please enjoy reading the excerpts of their work.

Ms Sarah Wilson

English Learning Area Leader

Over the next few months, the delusional yet careful Norma grew obsessed with Joe. Max had moved his stuff in upon Norma’s request, nonetheless, trapping him in her grandiose prison of luxury. As days dissipated, so did Joe’s free will. Norma’s exerted dominance was slowly an ordeal that Joe came to accept but cut of fear rather than will. 

“You think this is all very funny.” Norma giggled while taking a sip out of her champagne glass.

“A little,” Joe smirked, relishing in the temporary, calm silence. 

“Is it funny that I’m in love with you?” Norma breathed, breaking the short silence. 

Norma to herself: ‘Joe. Joe was the apple of my eye; the person I grew to be close to. Considering that he was my new love, I wanted to treat him well. I was convinced he’d be the one who’d be able to complete me, so, for New Year’s Eve, I arranged us a grand private party where I confessed my love for him.’

Dallas Jankovska

Clammy and shaking, I got into my car and there I just sat while my mind tried to comprehend what had just happened. I started the car and drove automatically in a half daze away from the crime scene but the horrific image stayed in my head, burned into my memory. I stopped the car next to the beach and risked my head against the wheel. I couldn’t think straight; everything was a boiling cauldron. 

Thundered in my chest as chills swept up and down my spine and my head felt light. The second and third shots left me practically unable to breathe. “Joe...” I whimpered, frozen in disbelief. Theories raced through my head: maybe it wasn’t the same house, maybe they were warning shots, maybe they were shots at an animal or burglar ... Maybe Joe was the one doing the shooting... but I knew Joe didn’t have a gun. 

Tommy Bleakney

I sit in my car, stoic, preparing myself to deal with the chaos I can see unfolding out the corner of my eye. I pull my hat down across my face and swing the door open. 

The moment I do, I’m hit with a carnage of sights and sounds. Press photographers flashing pictures of the scene and asking questions to no one in particular, the crunching of footsteps meeting earth, and the familiar drone of police radios echoing through the night sky. Colleagues of mine walk around the exterior of the derelict mansion, cordoning off areas and pushing back the hordes of journalists and bystanders. 

It almost resembled a movie set.

Hunter Russell