Page 30 - 2018 Salesian College Sunbury Yearbook

Jade West
English Learning
Area Leader
—

2018 has been an exciting year for the English Another key focus for the faculty has been the
Learning Area. teaching of reading. In contemporary society,
one of the challenges for both parents and
The introduction of Project-Based Learning (PBL)
teachers is to help young people continue to see
at Year 7 has challenged students to be creative, the importance and relevance of reading. While
think critically about class content, and collaborate
there is no doubt that reading is important to the
effectively. Working in their PBL groups, students academic success of students completing VCE,
have:
the skill has real world applications that extend far
- created their own anthology about a social beyond an academic pathway.
issue;
Reading a sustained text offers young people
- facilitated the College’s Book Week in an effort opportunity to consider their own views and
to promote reading; actively listen to the perspective of peers. It
prepares them for life beyond school. Professor
- investigated the liveability of Sunbury and Jeff Wilhelm argues that reading is “the single most
proposed a potential improvement to the local
powerful way to promote cognitive progress and
community;
has more to do with overcoming social inequalities
- attempted to persuade others to either keep or than any other factor.”
change the date of Australia Day; and
With this in mind, the English staff have been
- uncovered the links between poetry and music. exploring and trialling various methods of
engaging our students with their prescribed
Through this work, students have developed a reading texts, including the use of drama and
growth mindset and further refined skills that will
visualisation. Parents can support this work at
undoubtedly contribute to their future success, home by reading the texts and engaging in
both academically and socially.
discussion with their children about the ideas
In addition to this, the faculty has offered students presented by the author.
in Years 7-12 the opportunity to be involved in
My sincere thanks to the dedicated staff of the
a range of enrichment activities, including a
English Learning Area for guiding and supporting
Literature excursion to the Botanical Gardens to
our students in their classwork and assessment
watch a Shakespeare production, DAV Debating,
this year.
and participation in the Book in a Day Competition.

ENGLISH

28 :: SALESIAN COLLEGE SUNBURY 2018