Around the Virtual Classrooms 

Drama

The Year 8 Drama classes have been doing some work on Character. They were required to make up a detailed character, and complete some other tasks such as writing a letter from their character and also taking a photo of themselves dressed as their character. The girls have enjoyed the tasks and the photos below illustrate the brilliant work they have done.

English - Poetry

Students in Year 10 English have been studying a range of poems by renowned Australian, and particularly Tasmanian, poets that focus on our unique and wonderful natural landscapes.

Poetry in Action were due to perform their show Inter-National Anthem for our Year 10 students this week, but due to the current restrictions have had to cancel their tour. 

Fortunately, they have made their show available to us via a link that has been shared with students. The show is only available to them for a limited time and they are strongly encouraged to access it before they return to school next week.  A brief synopsis of the show is as follows:

Set in the crucial last few minutes of a flamboyant and ostentatious International Poetry Extravaganza, our performers are desperately trying to decide on which poem to choose to truly represent Australia on a world stage.

This alternately whacky and touching show engages students with an incredible range of both Australian and international poetry. We contrast Australian poetry from Indigenous perspectives, migrant poets and modern writers with international poetry from New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Students were inspired by poets including Dorothea Mackellar, Adrienne Eberhard, Judith Wright and Margaret Scott to write their own poem on their personal connection to the Tasmanian landscape. Some students have kindly allowed us to share their My Tasmania poems. 

Tasmania

By Finn Davenport

I love this island, Tasmania

A sunburnt sky gently tapping the water

Waiting to crawl into the ocean, and watch the sky paint itself a deep blue

The trees loom over, singing, whistling, chiming 

The water crashes, harmonising with the trees

A choir, a symphony

Sand squelching in between your toes, the breeze whipping your face 

Pounding your body into the water

The water tickling your face, forcing you to stay under

The water releases you, letting you stand

You open your eyes to see a sapphire sky and a sparkly ocean

Perfectly formed clouds, painted with a fluffy brush 

A painting, a sketch 

I love this island, Tasmania 

Her beautiful colours, blended 

Her symphony of sounds, serene

I love her warmth and affection

I love this island, Tasmania 

My Tasmania 

Anon

To my dear land I love, the home you give me 

I love how you treat us well, when we should be treating you well. 

Like the dirt we lick for taste and your cold sweat we drink from thirst.

 As we sweet talk you for more always more.

 I love the way you are drawn, the lines on a beautiful face, 

define the knowledge of those who where it with pride made of rock. 

I love the restless soul of someone who’s lived forever and a day 

loving every creature who’s touched its skin. 

I love the coldness of the kisses you leave on cheeks when morning rollers around, 

with soft white grasses to slip upon steps.

 I love the twist in the growing gum trees with a firm pulse, 

as they weary with the ongoing hours. 

Your beautiful coloured yellow and green from month to month forever changing. 

I love the chilled soaked rivers running like veins across your face. 

And the brown wood that’s forever sprouting. 

I love to savour the moments we share together, 

even if it’s just through glass. 

Enjoy the beauty that only you have, that no fire, wind or rain can take away.

I love your mask of looking untouched. 

I love and thank you for being boring in the most exquisite of ways.

My Tasmania 

By Rebekah Furjanic 

My island home, so special and unique. 

From the rise of the dawn, until the setting of the sun, 

The sky so blue, full of purified air so clean,

 This tiny island of mine, so much to be seen 

The crystal blue waters, the glistening of the sun, 

Glowing along the horizon, rebounding above. 

The staggering mountains, peaks so high, 

Beautiful views, make me start to cry 

How lucky I am, surrounded by shore, 

The luscious green plains, the devil’s roar. 

Our rugged coastline will always be in my heart, 

For this has been my home, right from the start.

My Tasmania 

By Scarlett Pollard

Mountains splay as far as the eye can see, 

Curtains of clouds casting shadows onto trees of evergreen. 

Waters barr an island that recedes from the shore, 

Memories blooming amongst the pine forevermore. 

Those native here create everlasting footsteps on the sand, 

Connections carrying through oceans far from this land. 

Clear blue skies and effervescent stars, 

Nature grows with you; wherever you are. 

Birds sing of the sun on the dawn of each day, 

Plants and people alike gleaming to the sound without delay. 

My home is crowned by landscapes of hills and a castle of sea, 

And for as long as I live, she will be waiting for me.