‘A poet, is before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language’- W. H Auden
These words from the poet, Wystan Hugh Auden, highlight a key skill required for success in the new 2019 HSC English Syllabus.
The new 2019 HSC English Syllabus is designed to eliminate the tutor-driven prepared responses of recent decades and assess or more aptly expose the analytical and writing skills of students by presenting specific questions in a range of forms. For students to be successful in the challenging new syllabus, they will need to develop an appreciation of literature and a love of language and writing. In addition to re-programming this year, the English Faculty has placed greater emphasis on creating wide reading initiatives and competitions aimed to cultivate student appreciation of literature and a love of writing.
The first of the 2018 writing competitions was the inaugural Principal’s Poetry Prize that required students to submit a poem of at least 12 lines in length on a nominated topic. Over fifty Year 7 & 8 students entered the Junior competition by submitting poems on their passion and another fifty Year 9 & 10 students submitted poems that addressed the Intermediate competition topic of conflict. All students that submitted a poem earned points for their house and the finalists, runners up and winners all received additional points that contribute to the Bishop’s Shield.
Last Tuesday, the five finalists for the Junior and Intermediate competitions gathered in the Principal’s office to read their poems aloud to Mr Byrne and members of the English Faculty.
The finalists for the Junior competition are:
- Max King-Gibbons
- Joel Mathews
- Hugh Brogden
- Oliver Pinson
- Matthew Zabel
