ENGLISH

LITERATURE UPDATE

While students cannot elect to take literature until Year 9, many get involved in McKinnon’s literary culture beginning in Year 7 by attending Gim Gibbs’s Book Club. Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with these wonderful students about book banning efforts over the years. 

We discussed recent movements in America banning some of the most enriching novels of the last century from high school classrooms. Students shared their opinions about the value of critical thinking, and the importance of literature not only in school, but in society at large. The insight, conviction and enthusiasm shown by these students left me feeling hopeful, and assured me that reading is alive and well in the younger generations.

Likewise, last week our Year 12 VCE Literature students presented their creative stories in response to Maxine Beneba-Clarke’s groundbreaking collection Foreign Soil. Their original fictional stories touched on themes of racism, marginalisation, immigration, war and multiculturalism in Australia. Students openly discussed their intentions for writing their stories, and shared their creative insights and struggles with their classmates. This process is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have each year as a teacher. Their willingness to confront such difficult topics, and to trust in their classmates, is something I wish every teacher and parent could witness. 

For five periods we didn’t think about study scores, SACs, ATARs or results. Instead, we learned the importance of developing one’s perspective, and in listening and empathising with the perspectives of others. I think we could all use a little more of that in our lives these days. 

Shane Papatolicas

Literature Coordinator