Events

She stared intently at the assembly of Year 11 students ascending the steps of the Junior Library. They were fresh, green, still new to this genre of writing. Manoeuvring her chair to face her class, she promptly engaged them in a three-hour workshop that would test the mettle of each and every student.

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As part of the HSC English syllabus, the English Extension One class study crime fiction. Hence, on the 5th of December, 2008, Covenant was quite fortunately graced with the presence of the Auraelis Award winning author, Louise Katz. Not only is Ms. Katz a published author, but she has also taught at the University of Technology, Sydney and the University of Western Sydney. Armed with handouts rivalling our own English staff’s, Ms. Katz sat our Year 11 Extension English class down, to school them in the murky and grisly ways of crime fiction writing.

The workshop began with a few exercises in order to spark the imagination. Michael Cathers, Shane Fenwick and Eloise Boutry each entertained us with their story-telling abilities in an exercise designed to help students think spontaneously. The class then went on to plot out their own crime fiction stories while Miss. Katz was quite impressed with the elaborate and often, gruesome stories students envisioned. We found quite a few of our characters were efficiently ‘written off,’ in a manner of speaking.    

After a ten-minute lunch break, and a ridiculous amount of Cheese & Bacon Balls, the class reconvened with Miss Katz, once again, capably fuelling the imagination. We had the opportunity to try our hand at classical crime writing as well as writing in the hard-boiled branch of the genre. Miss. Katz graciously read our own short pieces and offered feedback to help us improve our creative style.

We’d like to thank Ms. Katz for her invaluable time and advice, and Mrs. Glassock, for organising the workshop and providing us with the more than adequate food supplies, along with our next dentist appointment.

Talar Khatchoyan, Intern (English)

In English, Year 4 has been learning to write expositions. For one of the writing exercises, each student designed an advertisement for Covenant Christian School. As we worked on our posters, we thought about how to present our information about the school in a way which was attractive and convincing. We then voted for 3 posters which we thought were most successful in achieving its purpose.

Members of the Jane Austen Appreciation Society enjoyed an afternoon of 18th century dancing. This was directed and choreographed by Mrs Karen Grey.  Guests then enjoyed an evening viewing of Bride and Prejudice (PG) – a modern reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s classic novel.

Ten students submitted works for the HSC English Extension 2 course. This is a challenging course for which students write a Major Work of up to 8000 words plus a Reflection Statement, a supporting essay of up to 2000 words. Not all schools offer this highest level course and this year we had one student from Oxford Falls Grammar School and one student working by Distance Education from Dubbo Christian School.  

Students may write a short story, poetry, drama or film scripts, speeches or multimedia. A huge range of topics are covered, from slavery and war to identity, literary theory and music. These talented writers have worked hard to produce work of a very high standard and we are proud of each one of them. 
 

Year 8 students at Covenant participate in a wide reading English programme. Bethaney Debenham, shared her experiences with Sam Glassock, English Coordinator
 

Q. Tell us about your wide reading programme. What does it involve?
A. Our wide reading programme involves us reading books which we, the students choose. Of course it must be approved by both parent and teacher. We read two books during a non- exam term and one book during exam terms.

Q. Which books have you read most recently for wide reading?
A. The most recent book I read was The Catcher in the Rye.

Q. Did you enjoy it? Why or Why not?
A. I must admit I found the main character, Holden Caulfield, in The Catcher in the Rye a little tedious and contradictory. Also, it was hard to relate to some of the situations as it was written a long time ago and features a lot of things that we just don't have around these days.  Overall, however, I did enjoy the book.

Q.What is you assessment for this term?
A.Our assessment this term is an oral in which we have to present a speech in character. We have to assess the issues faced by the character and the changes which result in the nature of that character

Q.Which other books have you read for wide reading?
A.This year I have read Brave New World, Sophie’s World, The Catcher in the Rye (and as you know) and currently I am reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography.

Q.Can you tell us a bit about them and what you thought?
A.I enjoyed all the books I read- especially Brave New World. I found that even though it was written a long time ago it is still a valid and very real political message.

Q.Why do you think that it is beneficial to read?
A.The benefits of reading are numerous and it's really all down to opinion but in my view it widens your vocabulary, gives knowledge on topics you would not usually be taught . Most importantly, it’s a way to escape from the stresses of everyday to a completely different world.

On June 19th, Year 12 Extension 1 students travelled to Newtown to see ‘The Real Inspector Hound’ by Tom Stoppard. Three teachers in total accompanied us, with two English teachers (Mrs. Glassock and Mrs. Bootes) and an art teacher (it seems Mrs. Wiltshire just wanted a night out).

With time to spare, upon arriving in the chic inner city suburb, we dined at a local café , their gelato seeming to be a favourite for teacher and student alike.
 
Upon being seated inside the theatre, great anticipation overcame us, the stage set up as the play suggested.
The play seemed to get the approval of the English Coordinator, Mrs. Glassock, who was heard laughing in affirmation. The rest of the Extension One students were not far behind her, a previous reading of the script apparently helpful in understanding the play. 

For me anyway, a sign of a good play or movie is the quotes that stream out from the audience long after, this theory evident again that night, as the students and staff quoted the play the entire trip home, possibly irritating the hired bus driver. We would like to thank the teachers for accompanying us, the Mr. Busman (I think his name was Peter) for safely transporting us, and would like to apologize to the patrons of the café in Newtown, as we were possibly quite loud and excitable.

Tim Wright, Year 12
Year 12 English Extension One