Visiting author Phillip Gwynne with students
As an overview, Middle School English experienced significant positive change in 2013 with the holistic implementation of the Australian Curriculum, mapping programs across Years 7–9. In addition, changes to the assessment profiles and documentation have created greater consistency across the middle years. Our new programs have focused on creating engaging and dynamic units of work that develop our students’ English skills as well as their autonomy and group-work skills.
Our Year 12 Literature students were fortunate to be able to spend a day at Curtin University experiencing the life of a tertiary student. They enjoyed the independence of being immersed in the aesthetics of the Humanities faculty. Also, our Year 12 Stage 3 students greatly valued the opportunity to attend a performance of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman at the Heath Ledger Theatre. We were thrilled to be able to marry this experience with the study of the text in class.
The interest in our new English extension classes, including a journalism project, was a highlight of 2013. Due to popular demand, this year our involvement with the Young Writers Programme at the Fremantle Literature Centre was expanded, with groups of students from Years 7, 8 and 9 spending four magical days developing their creative writing skills with some of Australia’s top young adult authors.
Looking ahead to next year, we are pleased to announce that we will be hosting the English Teachers’ Association of WA Conference, here at the College. Mr Kealley and I are both on the ETAWA Council and are proud to be uniting our passion for our field and our school on 24 May 2014.
Cross-pollinating our courses with Drama and Debating programs has further enriched our boys’ English education. In conjunction with the Library, this was another successful year for the Brother Gerry Faulkner Creative Writing competition and the Visiting Authors program.
Lastly, I take this opportunity to thank Ms Claudia Swenson for her tireless support as Midde School Coordinator in Term 3. She and Mr Adam Kealley are both my invaluable peers. I greatly appreciate their formidable work ethic and expertise, as does the department. As you can see, from this year’s annual, the English, Drama and LOTE departments are running on all cylinders for the benefits of our personal professionalism and the educational enjoyment of our students. As Head to all three, I am very proud of all staff for their efforts. Ms Lisa Mack Head of English
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