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.
Cambridge English Begins for Years 9 and 10
Year 9s are building annotation and active reading skills. Year 10s are exploring the difference between Language and Literature in the Cambridge two-year programme.
Close Reading in Years 7 and 8 English
Year 7s are making inferences from their setwork novel Wonder. Year 8s are analysing voice and style in texts including Richard Branson’s autobiography and I Am Malala.
English Update PATs, Summarising, and Shakespeare Study
Students sat PATs and explored summarising, essay skills, and Shakespeare texts across Years 7 to 9.
Finding the Main Idea with Turtles
Students used an information text about turtles to find main ideas and write clear summary sentences.
Recounts, Shakespeare, and Stagecraft
Excerpt: Year 7 explored Shackleton and NZ forestry. Year 8 and 9 studied Shakespeare’s comedies, tragedies, and stagecraft.
Designing Logos and Finding Voice
Year 7 built reading skills then designed logos using font, colour and layout. Year 8 and 9 studied I Am Malala, brown girl dreaming to prep essays.
Strengthening Writing Skills Across Years 7–9
From targeted writing pathways to poetry and novel studies, students are developing their skills in structure, vocabulary, and literary analysis.
Exploring Sustainability, Memoirs and Verse
Years 7–9 English students begin Term 3 by exploring sustainability, memoirs and verse narratives. They develop writing strategies through focused lessons.
Writing Revision and Science Fiction
Post e-asTTle, students revised clauses, punctuation and speech. Year 9 analysed Bradbury’s “There Will Come Soft Rains,” tracking time and oddities.
Exploring Poetic Technique and Close Reading
Students explored poetic structure and literary devices in depth this fortnight, with a special nod to Joseph’s imaginative and skilful writing under assessment conditions.
