Gundungurra Country – a writing based end of year unit
In my first year as Head Teacher, I overhauled the junior English programs to promote skill development in readying students for senior studies and their completion, ultimately, of the HSC […]
Step into Paradise – exploring the world of Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson
Room after room after room … the glorious colour, vibrant patterns, and range of textiles that form the Step into Paradise exhibition offer a small glimpse into the design world of […]
Context and The Scarlatti Tilt
Richard Brautigan’s short short story has many uses in an English class, particularly as a stimulus to discuss social attitudes. “It’s very hard to live in a studio apartment in […]
The Moods of the Sea – exploring the craft of writing in six easy steps
Following on from previous lessons where we responded to The Surfer creatively, my current Year 12 students were invited to explore a different approach. From an English Action newsletter, (The […]
Letters of Love – considering the HSC year
At the beginning of each senior English course, we – myself and students – write a letter to our future selves that is sealed, stored in a box and opened […]
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time: Close Study of Literature
My final presentation for the Peel Valley ETA HSC English Study Day was Mark Haddon’s compelling and quirky The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time for Module B: […]
The Castle – Language, Identity and Culture
A perennial favourite, The Castle fits very neatly into the expectations of Module A: Language, Identity and Culture. Here are the slides and discussion points from my presentation at Farrer Memorial Agricultural […]
Pygmalion – Language, Identity and Culture
A sunny, yet bone dry day was our welcome from the Peel Valley ETA and the resumption of their HSC English Study Day. Held at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, […]
Thinking with Objects – a memoir
It was with sunshine and wind at my back that I approached the Sydney Observatory for the Writing Teachers workshop with accomplished zinester, author of non-fiction and memoir, and creative […]
Craft of Writing – a sensual practice response
As an assessment task for Module C: Craft of Writing, Year 12 wrote a creative piece and critique. This occurred over several weeks, with students submitting a minimum of three […]
