ENGLISH
ROMEO AND JULIET
Shakespeare’s tragic romance, Romeo and Juliet, is currently the focus of our Year 10 studies.
On Monday 3 August students were visited by a theatre group who performed this story of a ‘pair of star-cross'd lovers (who) take their life.’ Students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed this extremely entertaining and dynamic performance.
All Year 10 students attended this incursion at a cost of $10. Late payments can be made directly to the School Office.
LITERARY FESTIVAL
Five lucky students from Years 7-10 and five VCE students travelled to Scotch College this week for the Literary Festival.
This has proven an enormously popular event and the places highly sought after. And little wonder, given the renowned authors and journalists they heard from, including Tony Wright from The Age newspaper and John Harmes, author of many sporting books. We look forward to hearing more about our students’ exciting and informative experiences!
YEAR 12 STUDENTS
Our Year 12 students have now entered the all-important third term. This is the time when they must ensure they are working to capacity if they are to achieve their best in VCE English. Indeed, we support our students in this endeavour both in class and with extra-curricular learning experiences of which they are expected to take advantage. As such, the following activities are scheduled:
Thursday 13 August
Ross Huggard, Chief Examiner for VCAA English, will visit the school to impart his vast knowledge regarding the final Examination. He will give students strategies and advice on how best to tackle the exam and study techniques that will assist them in the interim. Students in past years have enjoyed Ross’ erudite and informative presentation and have been most appreciative of this opportunity.
Ross has had extensive experience in teaching VCE English from its inception, and has written a number of VCE English texts including Insight Exam Guide to VCE English; Insight Guide to The Longest Memory; Insight Guide to The Life of Galileoand film study, Schindler’s List. In addition, he has co-authored a range of VCE English texts, including the best selling Insight Outcomes English Year 12 2007. He is the consulting editor for Insight English for Year 12 and Insight English for Year 11. He also writes other articles for publication in various education journals.
This session will commence at 4 pm and conclude at 6 pm. Students will be given afternoon tea to sustain them until Ross arrives.
Payment of $5 can be made at the School Office or online through Compass.
Tuesday 25 August
Forty, fortunate Year 12 students will attend the Melbourne Writer’s festival to hear from Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rites.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students to hear directly from this talented young author as they develop their understanding and knowledge of the plight of the last woman in Iceland to be executed.
Permission forms for this excursion can be obtained from students’ English teachers. Payments must be made at the School Office.
More information is available on Compass under Events.
As there is a limited number of tickets, students are advised to get in quick to reserve a place.
Thursday 18 September
On a final note, students should be aware that the English practice examination will take place on the 3 Way Conferencing day.
Each year students complete a practice examination that emulates the final exam in every way, including being assessed by a VCAA Assessor who will give them feedback on each area of study. This enables students to appreciate their relative strengths and weaknesses in the lead up to the vital final assessment on Wednesday 28 October and to plan their revision accordingly. As such, it is imperative all students complete this practice Examination.
More information will be made available shortly through Compass, but students must note this date in their diaries now!
Janine Sayers
Head of English