Merewether High School

Scientia Ac Labore - Success through knowledge and application.

Telephone02 4969 3855

Emailmerewether-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

English Focus

debating team students

The beginning of a new semester is a good time to reflect on our students’ many and varied learning experiences.

Years 7, 8, 9 & 10

Students in Years 7 and 8 are currently studying and using the English language in a variety of textual forms.

Students in Years 9 and 10 have studied a range of quality texts and English textual concepts with the aim of developing a proficiency in English which will enable them to take their place as confident communicators in Year 11.

Quality texts currently studied in Years 9 and 10 include: The Taming of the Shrew, To Kill a Mockingbird and a selection of related texts. It has been wonderful to watch our Stage 5 students develop a love of literature and an appreciation of film.

Wide Reading

Students in Years 7-10 have been encouraged to engage in wide reading. Visits to the MHS library have provided students with the opportunity to select from a wide range of genres.

I encourage all students to engage in wide reading and to look for books that provide challenge and enjoyment. The many benefits of reading are illustrated in this graphic.

Finally, a huge thank you to parents and caregivers for supporting the study of English. It is a privilege to share the learning journey with you.

Year 11 Students

Students in Year 11 commenced the study of Module B with Advanced students studying the poetry of WH Auden and Standard students studying the poetry of Wilfred Owen. HSC students are encouraged to maintain a rigorous revision program in the lead up to the Trial HSC Examination. This might include reading a variety of texts through the ‘human experiences’ lens and revising the study of their prescribed texts.

The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve reveals the way newly acquired knowledge can be eroded if it is not connected to existing knowledge, consciously revised or extended through new study. Even thirty minutes revision a day, per subject, can help offset the erosion of knowledge.

Y7 & Y8 Debating

The Year 7 and 8 Debating Squads have had a mixed bag of a season with Year 7 losing to Newcastle High and Year 8 winning against Cardiff High in Round 1.

This was followed by a surprise win to Year 7 when both teams faced off against one another in Round 2. Due to Covid, the remaining debates against Callaghan College Waratah will continue online, but it was good to get out and about for the first round. 

Alison Latimore DEBATING COACH

Y11 & Y12 Debating

Our Year 11 and 12 teams were able to compete again this year, after being locked out last year through Covid’s interference.

The A team: Sara Hayes, Charlotte Paterson, Lennox Hepple, Thusanda Dewamitta and Ellie Bassos went through to the State finals rounds, but were defeated by GRC Oatley in a close call.

The adjudicator commented on the sophisticated job done in arguing the case at a ‘university’ level.

The B Team: Dulara Perera, Emma Cullen, Curtis Jubb, Aysha Willis and Ethan Floyd made a good show but winning two out of their three debates but lost to the A team, less successfully arguing, “That journalists should never be compelled to reveal their sources.”

Y9 & Y10 Debating

In Years 9 and 10 we were able to operate using a ‘squad’ system due to lots of keen interest and all members had a least one opportunity to debate in the competition or before an audience.

The local rounds are still in play at the moment and the A Team: Caitlin Silivinec, Amy de Malmanche, Gabriel Logan, Lachlan Collins and Alex Fischer have a reputation to uphold after last year’s success in reaching the State Semi Finals and are keen to try and match that effort again this year. 

Miriam Palazzi, Scarlett Morante were stalwarts of the B Team variously supported by Isabel Doherty, Angela Liu, Zoe Stead, William Hadley, Emma Fischer, Georgia Harvey, and Oscar Franklin.

I congratulate all the debaters for their efforts, teamwork and courage in taking on debating.

Michelle Burdekin DEBATING COACH