Welcome to our Semester 1 English newsletter! I am thrilled to share the wonderful achievements and engaging activities that have taken place in our English curriculum. At Girls Grammar, we are dedicated to fostering confident communicators, imaginative thinkers, and informed citizens.
The Importance of English
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) emphasises that English is essential for the learning and development of all young Australians. Through studying English, students enhance their ability to analyse, understand, communicate, and build relationships with others. Research shows that students who meet reading standards are more likely to succeed academically and socially.
Secondary English Highlights
In our Secondary English classes, students have been involved in a variety of dynamic projects:
Persuasive Skills: Students selected a vital life skill, such as hunting, fishing, sewing, or gardening, and crafted persuasive essays highlighting the benefits of mastering these skills.
Advertisement Analysis: Pupils compared the effectiveness of two advertisements, focusing on visual features, cultural assumptions, language choices, and persuasive devices.
TEDxRGGS Conference: Students wrote and presented short persuasive speeches on the theme ‘Ideas Worth Sharing,’ advocating ideas they believed would positively impact society.
Primary English Highlights
Our Primary students have engaged in a series of creative and educational activities from Prep through to Year 6.
Story Retelling: Using props, students retold 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' and 'The Three Little Pigs', enhancing their comprehension and sequencing skills.
Alphabet Mastery: Students learned to name the letters and sounds of the alphabet and read CVC and sight words.
Creative Projects: Inspired by Eric Carle, students created picture books and artwork. They also innovated on texts like 'Jetty Jumping', compared fact and fiction, and created information reports on ants.
Persuasive Writing: Students wrote persuasive responses to 'Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus' and imaginative narratives on themes of fear and magical realms.
Historical Recount: Taking on the roles of children from the time of the First Fleet’s arrival in Australia, students presented oral recounts of their experiences and opinions.
Advertising Skills: Students invented products and created persuasive advertisements to highlight their features and benefits.
Year 2 students shared the difference between Fact and Fiction at a Primary assembly.
Year 6 students delved into novels and explored:
Author Styles and Strategies: Identifying and discussing the effective use of figurative language and text structures.
Theme Analysis: Comparing themes and determining the impact of different stories.
Plot and Character Analysis: Analysing plot structures, character development, conflict, and the use of metaphors, similes, and suspense.
Final Thoughts
We are incredibly proud of our students’ hard work and creativity. Their achievements in English reflect their growing confidence and abilities as communicators and thinkers. Thank you to all our dedicated teachers for guiding and inspiring our students.
Remember to keep reading, writing, and exploring the wonderful world of English!
Donna Bennett
English and Humanities Subject Coordinator