English

From Shakespeare’s Macbeth in Year 10 to the creation of poetry in Year 7, it has been a term full of curiosity, investigation and creativity this term in English. As our topics conclude, students are to be congratulated on their engagement in class throughout the past 10 weeks. 

I would like to celebrate the success of our Stage 5 Premier’s Debating Challenge team, who have won their past two debates against Gosford High School and Kariong Mountains High School. Amelia Stevens, Hayden Starr, Mason Bruinning and Emily Cui have improved each round and are now eagerly awaiting the results of other debates to see if they will go through to the next stage of the competition. Our Stage 4 debating stars will complete their next two debates in Term 3. Both teams have been supported by the indomitable Mrs Katie Conroy and we are extremely appreciative of her advice, encouragement and organisation skills. 

These upcoming winter holidays are an important time for Year 12 students to revise previous texts and topics in preparation for their upcoming Trial HSC Exams. Year 12 students are encouraged to access past HSC questions and seek feedback from their English teachers in this critical time period. 

This is also an important time for our Year 10 students who are currently deciding on their Stage 6 subject pattern for their HSC. It was great to see so many parents and caregivers at the Subject Selection Evenings these past few weeks and I encourage students to seek out their current English teacher for advice, should they still be unsure as to which strand of English to choose for 2022. 

At the end of this term, the English faculty and the school will bid a bittersweet farewell to Mrs Katie Conroy, who has secured a permanent appointment to Brisbane Water Secondary College, Woy Woy Campus. Though Mrs Conroy has only been with us a short time, she has made an indelible impact on the school from debating, to our literacy program, and in the English classroom. She is a true ‘Henry Kendall teacher’ and Woy Woy is extremely lucky to be welcoming such a passionate and engaging teacher to the school. 

Stay warm these holidays!

Mr Blake Wawrzyk

Head Teacher English