Year 7
Using persuasive language techniques has been the focus. The students have been analysing both print and online advertisements and learning about the power of slogans.
The students drafted/created their own print advertisements for an imaginative product and were asked to use persuasive techniques such as making an offer, promising something, asking a question or using striking visuals and slogans.
Year 8 and 9
Year 8 and 9 students have both been delving into the world of Shakespeare. The Year 8s are now studying the Globe Education’s Shorter Shakespeare version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. We set the stage (pun intended) with research about The Globe, theatre in Shakespeare’s time, the life of Shakespeare and are now fully immersed in the text.
The Year 9 students are studying the tragedy of ‘Othello’. We focused on the thematic strands that are woven through the script, the plot line and information that will make the reading more accessible in the lead up.
Now, we are delving into the language devices that make Shakespeare’s writing come alive, such as antithesis, monologues, imperatives, allusions and imagery.
Shakespeare Festival: Planning Begins for The Scottish Play
Students have started work on an SGCNZ Shakespeare Festival entry for Term 1 2027, reading the play and learning soliloquies.
Years 7 and 8 English: Play Scripts, Book Reviews and Exam Preparation
Year 7 are writing their own short plays, Year 8 are studying A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and both classes welcomed back the mobile library.
Years 7 and 8 English: Play Scripts and A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Year 8 are exploring A Midsummer Night’s Dream and writing their own play scripts, while Year 7 study how playwrights use stage directions.
Poetry: Spot Poems, Five-Minute Conversations and Chalk on the Playground
Poetry students wrote Spot poems, turned five-minute interviews into poems for each other, and chalked words across the playground.
Year 9 and 10 English: Fantasy Writing and Exam Revision
Year 9 have been drafting fantasy narratives, with five student extracts below, while Year 10 revised Language and Literature for their exams.
Year 9 and 10 English: Storyboarding Othello and Reading Macbeth
Year 9 have storyboarded Othello scene by scene. Year 10 are working on Macbeth.
Creative Writing: Choosing Genres and Designing Covers
The group are working on original stories in small groups, choosing their own genres and designing covers and illustrations for their books.
Years 7 and 8 English: Building Suspense and Drafting Narratives
Year 7 are drafting their own narratives after studying how authors build suspense. Year 8 have turned When the Mountains Roared into audio drama scripts.
Creative Writing: Openings, Suspense and Pacing
The group is comparing story settings, writing their own openings from visual prompts, and learning how plot structure builds suspense.
Years 7 and 8 English: From Poetry to Adventure Stories
Year 7 have finished poetry and moved on to adventure narratives. Year 8 are studying an extract from When the Mountains Roared.
