Term 2 has been a dynamic and enriching period for the English Faculty at San Clemente, with students across all year groups engaging deeply with a range of texts, ideas, and creative learning opportunities.

Our Year 9 and 10 students had the wonderful opportunity to attend live performances by Bell Shakespeare, experiencing powerful productions of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth as part of their drama studies. These performances brought Shakespeare’s timeless exploration of conflict, ambition, and fate vividly to life and significantly deepened students' understanding of dramatic techniques and language.

In the junior years, students have been exploring powerful and meaningful themes through poetry. Year 7 is currently working on a poetry unit focused on nature and stewardship of the earth, encouraging students to reflect on their role in caring for the environment through creative expression. Year 8 is studying poetry and picture books that centre on refugee experiences, with a focus on building empathy and understanding through literature and visual storytelling.

Our Year 9 cohort is immersed in a media unit titled Visions and Views of the Media, analysing a variety of texts to explore differing perspectives on how media impacts our lives. They are also developing their skills in discursive writing for the first time, learning to express thoughtful, balanced viewpoints on contemporary issues.

Meanwhile, Year 10 students are engaging with the work of Indigenous poets, examining how their voices express perspectives on Australian identity, Country, and cultural memory. This unit will also culminate in a discursive writing task, allowing students to reflect critically on the narratives that shape who we are as a nation.

These rich learning experiences would not be possible without the tireless dedication and creativity of our English staff, who continue to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and engagement in every classroom. I would also like to commend our students for their genuine enthusiasm and hard work, which have been evident across all year groups this term.

The English staff look forward to celebrating more learning and literary discovery as the year continues at San Clemente.

Belinda Dempsey

Leader of Learning English