In the opening weeks of this term, it has been an absolute pleasure to see the learning that is occurring in our English classes. I have seen students creating podcasts, participating in panel discussions and adapting television episodes into picture books and memoirs. In fact, if I listed all the innovative and creative products that students have created this term, I would still be writing next month. Instead, I will settle for some of the key moments that stood out.
Our Year 7 students have been developing their persuasive abilities with classes learning about different persuasive techniques, how to appeal to audiences and how to format your ideas into a persuasive letter. Our Year 8 students, having read and analysed the play, Lockie Leonard: Human Torpedo, are now working hard to create their own playscripts. It has been great to see how students are turning their own ideas into compelling playscripts.
Our Year 9 students have concluded their panel discussions and are now diving into the extended visual study for the year. Students in Miss Wilson’s Year 9 English class have watched Jojo Rabbit to understand how conventions of the Bildungsroman genre create compelling texts. It was great to see students working collaboratively to create mind maps illustrating the Bildungsroman conventions and the evidence from the film.
The Year 11 ATAR class has just finalised a persuasive composition task which prompted students to engage deeply with the world around us with students examining issues such as beach safety, the impact of social media and the impacts of fast fashion. The Year 11s have a final essay task before their exam in Week 7. I wish them all the best for both.
The Year 12 ATAR class has just finished a transformation creative task that saw students transforming and adapting a studied text from Term 1 into a different genre with a different purpose, audience or context. The dedication and talent of this class is apparent as I look through the podcasts, memoirs, picture books, feature articles and diary entries that students created. This dedication and perseverance will stand the students in great stead for their Semester One exam next week.
It has been a pleasure to see the excellent teaching and learning occurring in English classrooms. The creativity and the insightful analysis, the fantastic discussions and the impactful learning is simply wonderful to see. I eagerly look forward to seeing what else our students achieve this year.
Ryan Blechynden
Head of Department- English
