“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
When we consider Dr Seuss’ words, we see the role that the study of English can have in empowering the independence of our students. Dr Seuss’ quote highlights the transformative power of reading for students with its potential to broaden perspectives, develop vocabulary, and build both comprehension and critical thinking skills. If we had to give our students one piece of advice to end 2025, it would be to read widely and read often.
Outside Dr Seuss’ advice to keep reading, the English faculty would also encourage all our students to take the following advice:
- Don’t fear mistakes
- Ask questions and be curious
- Engage with different perspectives
- Find your own voice, but also listen deeply
- Be patient with yourself and each other
- Use words kindly
- Think critically
- Celebrate progress
Celebrating 2025
Every student will look back on 2025 with different achievements to celebrate, whether big or small, but the following highlights stand out to the English faculty:
Year 8 students further developed strong foundations for their ongoing English studies, learning by exploring how identity is shaped through relationships with people and place, and how themes and genre help audiences understand change. Across poetry, prose, drama and film, students developed their analytical and creative skills this year. For many teachers and students alike, the highlight of the year was the interdisciplinary picture book project, where imagination and cultural understanding came together in thoughtful, original stories. It was a pleasure to see our Year 8 students share these picture books with their peers.
Year 9 students engaged with both classic and contemporary texts, considering how creators use form and style to communicate personal and cultural experiences. They also examined the role of historical context and perspective in shaping how texts are received. One of the year’s highlights was their Semester 2 oral presentations, where students spoke with empathy and conviction about urgent social issues, demonstrating the continuing power of storytelling and rhetoric. It was great to see the vision our students share for a better future.
Year 10 students deepened their understanding of literature and its relevance to the world around them this year. They explored how a creator’s style connects audiences to characters and human experiences, while also reflecting on how evaluating and communicating different perspectives can encourage shared responsibility and a hopeful future. The Creative Voices elective with units in creative writing and journalism also gave students the chance to experiment with a variety of writing styles. One highlight for Year 10 was the sophistication in the discussion of texts from Shakespeare to more modern texts of social criticism.
In the senior years, students pursued courses that best suited their interests and intended pathways, through the ACT BSSS or IBDP. Regardless of program and subject choices, all students engaged in a rich variety of experiences: exploring complex texts, developing analytical writing, discussing ideas with confidence, and collaborating with peers to deepen their understanding. Furthermore, BSSS students demonstrated creativity and independence in projects and assignments, while IB students thrived in a supportive, team-focused environment that encouraged multiple interpretations and critical thinking. Across the senior years, the highlight has been seeing students grow and work towards the end of the High School experience.
Mr. Luke Nott
English Coordinator
Debating
This year saw our debating program continue to grow in numbers and confidence across all year levels. Students from Year 7 to 12 engaged in a range of thought-provoking topics while continuing to build and develop their critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork skills.
A standout moment of the year was our incredible Year 10 team comprising Serena Tran, Leah Shoebridge Grace Jean and Sumaiya Karim, taking out the Grand Final victory, showcasing their preparation, teamwork, and passion for debating.
Congratulations to all our debaters for their hard work and dedication throughout the season!
Mr. Jack Brown
Debating Leader
