What's New in English?
Our Writer in Residence, Krista Bell is working with Year 7 students this term, as part of the School's new Year 7 English and Drama Interdisciplinary Unit.
The highly dedicated and creative English Faculty at St Catherine's has been busy developing and implementing a range of exciting, engaging and rigorous curriculum initiatives this year. The introduction of new units of study, across various year levels, ensures that our students are continually challenged by new learning opportunities.
New Year 7 English and Drama Interdisciplinary Unit
Each fortnight during Term 2, the Year 7 English and Drama students participate in a class with our Writer in Residence and Children's Book Author, Krista Bell. In English, the students are learning how to create a version of their own personal story, in written or oral form, while in drama, classes focus on adapting the story into a dramatic performance. During this interdisciplinary unit of study, students will develop an understanding of a different form of writing and dramatic presentation.
Italy Study Tour and links to Shakespeare
This year, the Italy Study Tour embraced links with the literature our students study in English. The students on this trip were able to experience firsthand the Italian settings in The Merchant of Venice (studied in Year 9), Romeo and Juliet (studied in Year 10) and Othello (studied in Literature). Visiting these settings only enhances the contextual and historical understanding of these plays and allows students to write with more detail and confidence on Shakespeare.
Years 9 and 10 Literature Elective
The increased popularity of the Literature Elective has led to two classes being offered this year and teachers have worked hard to create a rigorous and dynamic curriculum. The classes are split into Years 9 and Year 10 groups, however they run concurrently. During Semester 2 this will allow for the development of some collaborative tasks between the two groups in the form of common study, guest speakers and lectures on parts of the course.
New Year 10 Creative Writing Unit
A new creative writing unit has been introduced to Year 10 English, which focuses on non-fiction writing using the text Attitudes & Experiences, Exploring Australian Non Fiction. These changes have been developed to enhance our School's creative writing units, as students studying Year 12 English can now write a creative response in their final examination.