Last Friday, 16 November, three English Extension 2 students headed out with Ms Evangelista to attend the annual introductory workshop run by the English Teachers Association, which was held at the University of Sydney.
The English Extension 2 course represents the crème de la crème of English students in New South Wales. In order to do Extension 2, a student must take Advanced English and English Extension 1 – both courses being challenging in their own right.
In English Extension 2, a student produces a significant Major Work – a short story, a suite of poetry, a film, a series of speeches, amongst other possible forms – and conducts their own independent research and investigation to support their writing.
Every year, Regents Park Christian School enrols a number of people in the
course, which is a testament to the talent and calibre of our English students.
This year, Catherine Ray, Jonah Kim and Yolanda Luchko have chosen to take on the course, and are already showing themselves to be highly committed to their Major Works.
The workshop was run by a series of presenters, including teachers with many years of marking experience under their belt, as well as successful Extension 2 candidates from 2017. Students were treated to comprehensive talks on wide-ranging topics, from how to narrow down their concept, to how to create an effective action plan for writing.
The event was highly inspiring, and during breaks, students enthusiastically discussed their ideas and how these were evolving as they listened to the speakers. While the idea of composing a Major Work was incredibly daunting, the
chance to create something completely original was very exciting for these well-read, creative students. The setting of the workshop was also undoubtedly inspiring, as students were awed by the beautiful grounds of the university (particularly the Hogwarts-like Quadrangle!).
As an extra treat, Ms. Evangelista also took the students inside the Quadrangle and into the Nicholson Museum, which held many objects of interest for Catherina, Jonah and Yolanda, who are also enthusiastic History students.
The day was an amazing experience for everyone – a day that gave students a taste of the myriad of possibilities for their Major Work, and an inkling of the bright future ahead of them.
