14 December 2021
Assalamu Alaikum Parents & Caregivers,
Year 7
This term the students have been exploring the concept of diversity. Students have thought about who they are and where they come from. They have accumulated this information and presented their own autobiographies. The year 7s have also been reading the novel ‘Boy’ by Roald Dahl. Students have developed TEEL paragraph writing skills and also conducted debates within the classroom.
Year 8
This term the year 8s have been researching the concept of recycling and our impact on the environment. They have been reading the novel ‘Trash’ by Andy Mulligan which follows a child who lives at a dumpsite, eking out a living sifting through rubbish. Students created their own presentations on sustainability and they have also been completing an intensive reading program which aimed to improve specific reading skills. This program has been a great success as the students’ scores in the English focused PATR tests improved. Well done to their teachers Antonios Pagonis and Rabia Khan.
Year 9
This term the year 9s have been exploring emotions. The students have analysed their own emotions, what triggers them and developed strategies to express these emotions in a healthy way through writing journals. Throughout the term we have also read a number of poems which explored the different emotions associated with conflict. The students had to show their understanding through an in-class timed extended response. For the last few weeks the students have begun creating their own poetry. Students have used a number of poetry structures which include haiku’s, limericks, black out poetry and free verse. Below you will see a couple of great examples of black out poetry created by our year 9s.
Year 10
With only a short term for the year 10s, we pushed them as hard as we could to prepare them for year 11. The students explored the Civil Rights Movement and racial segregation. They also viewed the film ‘Freedom Writers’ which emphasizes how education is pivotal in empowering students to make a difference. This term the students were asked to write a timed extended response on the film and an essay which helped to develop the necessary skills needed for year 11. Below you will find an excellent essay written by Manaal Easa.
Farewell from Mrs Lewis
As I am expecting my first child in a few short months I will be on maternity leave from next year. I would like to thank all the teachers, students and parents for their support these past few years. It has been a pleasure to teach English at this school and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be the English coordinator this year. I wish all the students the very best for next year and know they will produce some fantastic work.
– Holly Lewis
Middle School English Coordinator