English

Year 7 English, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet with Mrs Pam Peace

Janelie Micallef, Maria Caratozzolo, Justine Garcia, Allyce Ferns, Taryn Collier, Tara Tories, Vanessa Surface, Catherine Blackmore Australian English Schools Competition High Distinction Certificate

Nicole Scicluna, Year 9 Edge of Tomorrow Competition Winners

Noni Brislin 9T, Katherine Vassallo 8R, Ashley McCloud 7N

The start of every school year promises so much, and the year 2000 certainly brought with it many expectations. The English Faculty has begun the new century in a positive manner. As always, we have been working to encourage a love ofreading, writing and learning in general.

In the area ofcurriculum we have implemented the changes to VCE required by rhe Board ofStudies. This has meant rhe reorganisation ofcourses in both English and Literature. Teachers and students have had to come to terms with SACs rather than CATs. Change has not been the special precinct of senior subjects. The Curriculum Standards Framework 11 document has seen the re- writing of all Year 7 to 10 courses. Teachers have spent many hours developing units ofwork which will allow students to achieve rhe specified Outcomes.

However, it has nor been all serious work. The joint celebration of Book Week and English Week provided an opportunity for intellectual stimulation as well as great fun. There were a number of‘literary’ activities for both staffand students.

The Writing Competition invited the students to display their talents as wordsmiths, and comment on the theme "The Edge ofTomorrow".

We congratulate the winners:

Ashley McCloud - Year 7

Katherine Vassallo - Year 8

Noni Brislin - Year 9

A highlight of English Week was the English Quiz which pitted the students against the teachers in a ‘ Mastermind’ meets ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire?’ type of challenge. It was ably hosted by rhe talented and hilarious Frances Henry and Natalie Nisbet.

The Flying Bookworm Theatre Company returned to enhance our students’ understanding ofShakespeare, and to provide them with yet another experience of live theatre. The Year 9 students enjoyed scenes from Romeo and Juliet, while the Year 10 students experienced Macbeth. Another opportunity to enrich our students’ use oflanguage was offered by the authors and poet who visited our school during Book Week. Ms Terry Callery, the College Teacher-Librarian, organised workshops by authors, Simon Higgins and Barry Carrozzi, and Myron Lysenko, the poet.

Once again this year all students in Year 7 to 9 participated in the Australian Schools English Competition. Nicole Scicluna, Year 9 was awarded a High Distinction Certificate, 13 students received Distinction Certificates and 49 students achieved Credit Certificates. Congratulations to all these students and their students.

Ms Rosanna Fimiani

English Coordinator