Senior News
Senior News
English at St Columba’s
Drama We are very pleased to have Mr Dameon Garnett join St Columba’s College this year as our new subject leader for Drama. He is an experienced Drama teacher and playwright, and has exciting ideas for both curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for our students.
It is said that “a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… the man who never reads lives only one”. Here at St Columba’s, we relish the opportunity to expand our students’ understanding of the world, enjoying a wide variety of novels, drama and poetry that cover different cultures, times, perspectives and ideas. We also encourage our students to develop their own creativity through reading, writing and speaking. Our vision for Forms 1-3 is to develop insightful and confident readers, assured speakers, sensitive listeners and creative and versatile writers. We read a range of great world literature from Shakespeare to Armitage, from plays to poetry to novels. We are supported in this by our fantastic library, with knowledgeable staff who are on hand to encourage and make informed recommendations to all our students.
Public speaking competition - Grant, Form 3
I really enjoy how we can all share our ideas, listen to other people’s ideas and develop other people’s ideas in group discussions without anyone judging you. - Ben Edwards, Form 3
Every Friday, the school takes part in ‘Drop Everything and Read’. Students are encouraged to develop their own narrative voice through creative writing and become confident speakers, which culminates in a House public speaking competition for each year group.
We are very proud of Form 3 student Ben Edwards, who performed as Friedrich Von Trap in Bill Kenwright’s UK and Ireland tour of ‘The Sound of Music’ earlier this year. Although the tour was sadly cut short in March due to the Coronavirus, Ben should be commended for juggling schoolwork, rehearsing and performing at numerous national theatres alongside West End professionals.
Form 3 student Ben Edwards performed in ‘The Sound of Music’
Beyond the Classroom
Forms 1-3 took part in the Inter-House Public Speaking Competition virtually this year - Josh, Form 3
The department supports opportunities for extra-curricular activities, including theatre trips, lecture days, LAMDA lessons, public speaking workshops and creative writing club. We encourage students to appreciate how English fits into the wider world and broaden their perspectives. The library provides fantastic resources for students, and organises many events throughout the year, including author visits.
In Forms 4 and 5 for the Language and Literature iGCSEs we carefully choose texts that are accessible and engaging, but also offer a suitable degree of challenge. We are very proud of the All English teachers are kind results our students and good listeners. achieve, but more - Lorenzo Delcore, Form 1 importantly of the knowledge and passion for English they have acquired by the time they finish Form 5. English Literature A Level offers the chance to read some of the greatest works of the literary canon. They visit other worlds vicariously, live other lives, and experience and debate the struggles of humanity. By the end of the course students have developed a range of transferable skills, such as the ability to research, analyse critically, craft an argument and to communicate persuasively and clearly. No wonder English Literature A level is looked on so favourably by universities!
Studying GCSE and A Level English has nurtured my passion for literature, developing my critical thinking skills which has encouraged deep analytical thought on every word I read and write. - Alistaire Welch, A Level English Literature student
Author Ali Sparkes gave a talk to Forms 1 and 2
St Columba’s hosted the St Albans Schools Book Awards, where author Lisa Thompson visited the school.
Talk the Talk: Confident Communication Masterclass
In March, we had Talk the Talk come in to help us develop our presentation skills. It gave everyone a variety of new or improved skills and helped to build our confidence. We participated in many fun, skill-building activities which helped us all to feel relaxed in a ‘scary’ setting of having to speak in front of others. It was a brilliant day! - Louis Williams, Form 3
Mrs. R. Barley Subject Leader of English Page | 32 of 60
Twitter: @StColumbasEng
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