ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Our College has seen the growth of literature and learning, within the world of English, throughout 2022.

Technology has seen the progression of filmic, visual and multimodal texts in the presentation of analytical, persuasive and narrative compositions. Our students have grasped these opportunities with gusto and shown themselves to be highly-skilled in their endeavours.

Examinations are growing in importance for all year levels. External exams, in year 12, form the pinnacle of this preparation. Academic initiative has been pivotal in this process. We should be pleased with the manner in which our senior students have applied themselves to external exams, in 2022.

In year 11, the journey towards graduation has begun. Opportunities to engage in learning experiences and to demonstrate academic skills have already been many and varied. Essential English has seen a growth in interest and class volume.

This growth has also taken place in the Literature class option. This growth is clear evidence of the expansion of learning options and student commitment to the goals of literacy and appreciation of literature, within our year 11 cohort.

The Literature and Creative Writing elective, in years 9 and 10, is going from strength to strength! Class volume, challenging academic rigour and enhanced student-skill level have all clearly reflected the growth of this subject. It is quickly becoming a hive of activity for avid readers and gifted writers. Student explorations of literature have been reflected via some accomplished pieces of composition:

When Billy Weaver stepped off the steam train, leather suitcase in hand, he glanced around at the sunlit station, expecting to see someone eagerly awaiting him. To his disappointment, he did not receive such a welcome. He glanced at his watch, informing him that the train had arrived a half hour early. Billy strolled towards a half-shaded picnic bench where he decided to wait and watch the meander of passengers.

Crime fiction: Olivia Horrex.

Sirens wailed as a blur of red and blue lights sped towards the chaos unfolding on the highway. A string of police cars circled the situation unfolding, while police detectives Derek Morgan and Emily Prentiss quickly stepped out of a police van.

Slowly approaching the hunter, being sure to keep their distance, they cautiously lowered their drawn weapons. Disarmed of all defence, Derek and Emily enclosed the now-quivering hunter as the police agency behind them maintained aim.

Crime fiction: Ebony Naiker.

Aptly, Katheen French describes Nurse Ratched as one of the worst villains in literary history. Her hunger for control and order twisted the minds of those in her ward and, instead of treating them, destroys their dignity and purloins their freedom.

From the beginning, we are introduced to the Chronics and the Acutes; labels created to keep the patients apart. The subgroup of Walkers, Wheelers, and Vegetables within this group de-humanises them further because they are known as categories rather than people.

As French states, the label is the “onlymarkerof meaning regarding them: not who they are, not what they care about”. It is obvious, therefore, that this evaluation of the villainous Nurse Ratched, within One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, is valid and feasible.

Critical study: Rachel Williams.

The adventure novel, Treasure Island, is a classic piece of literature. Released in November of 1883, Treasure Island is the longest-standing pirate novel. Its morals and ideas have inspired and guided authors of both the past and the present. It is more than worthy of being called a classic and being known throughout society.

In the critical text: Robert Ossian’s Pirate Cove – Book Review: Treasure Island, these matters are addressed, analysed and applied to both fiction and reality. This critical text contains valid evaluation of the novel.

The characters of this enlightening storyboth the protagonists and the antagonistsare recognised throughout the world, inspiring adventure and exploration. The stereotypes of pirates, created in this novel, are still applied to this literary genre, today.

Critical study: Remi O’Donohue.

The digital writing platform: Write That Essay, has again proven popular with students. Analytical skills have been enhanced via focus upon vocabulary choices, sentence structure and paragraph formation. Growth in the use of this platform has seen beneficial progress in the enablement of overall-expression skills.

Reading and writing for pleasure again saw many pathways to success presented to students. Poetry anthologies, reading club, writing competitions and publication possibilities all demonstrate the opportunities enabled for students, to engage in the process of individual expression, in innovative ways.

No reflection, upon the growth of English and the appreciation of literature, throughout 2022, can be complete without the recognition of the sterling efforts of our English teachers. Mrs Farrow, Mrs Frame and Miss Murdoch have all lead our senior students with great wisdom and enthusiasm. Mrs Radley, Miss Morgan, Mrs Quinlan and Mr Jones have all guided our younger students, through the learning process, with great expertise and commitment.

2022 has exemplified important progress in English and the appreciation of literature, at our wonderful College.

We now await, with great anticipation, further opportunities and successes, in 2023.