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HSC Extension 2 English major works completed


Date Posted: 31-Aug-2009

It was an early start for seven Extension 2 English students on Friday 28 August. Their Major Works needed to be submitted by 9am, then couriered in to the Board of Studies marking centre. Extension 2 English is the fourth unit of English for the HSC. It can only be done in Year 12 if students are studying both Advanced and Extension 1 English.

Students have a choice of form for their Major work: short story (up to 8,000 words) poetry (6,000 words) critical essay (8,000 words) film/ DVD (8 minutes), multimedia, speech, performance poetry, or scripts for stage or radio.

This year six students chose short story and one chose film. Topics are usually quite serious and must also have a connection to the other English courses. A snapshot of each student's work follows:
•    Gina Bell produced a film documenting the reactions to terrorism of different characters, entitled 'Ambivalence'. Thanks to her many supporting actors!!
•    Mike Cathers wrote a crime fiction piece set in the closed environment of Antarctica. An interesting mystery called 'Whiteout !'
•    Shane Fenwick wrote 'Aliza’s Eyes' a fictionalised family history questioning and exploring links to the past.
•    Jake Madder from Oxford Falls Grammar joined Covenant students to complete this 4th unit of English. His short story, 'A Sonata for Sam', set in the south of USA in the 50's  explored teenage depression
•    Vanessa Simmonds wrote '46664', a piece exploring Apartheid  and its effects. The title is the number branded on Nelson Mandela’s arm.
•    Kirstie Williams explored the divisions  caused by  the Berlin Wall on her characters in a short story entitled 'Roots Run Deep'. This also reflected her love of German!
•    Grace Wye wrote a piece 'Through their Eyes' exploring terrorism  from the perspective of both a Palestinian and an Israeli viewpoint, using narrative and diary form.

In addition to the creative piece, students must also submit a 1,500 word analytical essay supporting their work, as well as a journal documenting the creative process. Extension 2 English is hard work indeed but a most exhilarating journey, as students hone their writing skills, stretch their imaginations and their editing skills.

I have enjoyed reading, re-reading and re- re-reading these pieces as they have grown and developed throughout the year. We went out and celebrated with dinner on the Friday night, seeing the lighter side of the many stresses of the course.

Mrs O'Sullivan
Deputy Principal
Teacher Extension 2 English


zachary thornton commented on 02-Sep-2009 09:16 AM
Wow! good job everyone!
b commented on 07-Sep-2009 10:54 AM
gooooooood work
peta bilton commented on 07-Sep-2009 06:36 PM
well done...i'm sure glad it's finally DONE!!!!

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