As I write this English article, I think back to May last year and being in a pandemic lockdown. I clearly remember those online classes and the faces of the students staring back at me from their screens. I now look at 2021 with immense gratitude; gratitude that I am back in front of my students and able to teach them face-to-face, gratitude to be working with my colleagues in the English Faculty to collaborate and converse face-to-face. I strongly feel that professionally the pandemic has taught us all self-efficacy and adaptive expertise. This is clearly evident in the innovation that has emerged in the English Faculty in 2021.

Independent Learning Tutorials and Masterclasses

With such significant changes, came opportunities in 2021 and hence the introduction of the Senior Years Learning Model in Year 10 and 11. Discussion commenced on how best to engage the students in their English studies with an online mode of delivery for one class a fortnight. This has led to the development of Masterclass lectures on historical context, views and values, literary devices and features in texts. In conjunction with lectures that focus on review and consolidation of skills such as writing text analysis, comparative essays and in Term 2 revision for examinations and key study skills in English. The implementation of this model has allowed the Faculty to discuss the positive outcomes for students in terms of more flexibility in their learning, reinforce their key skills and allow for more choice and independence for them to control the pace of their learning. With any change comes a degree of uncertainty and always many questions. As Head of Faculty, however, I am extremely proud of the way the Year 10 and 11 English, EAL and Literature teachers have supported and worked tirelessly on creating our suite of Masterclasses.

Year 10 English: Extended Research Investigation

Another significant change for English in 2021 has been the creation of the Extended Research Investigation in Year 10 English. This new Unit of Study will commence in Term 3 allowing students to develop, refine and extend their knowledge and skills in independent research and carry out an investigation that focuses on a rigorous and meaningful research question.

In this Unit of Study, students will:

• develop as independent, critical and reflective learners
• develop research project management knowledge and skills
• analyse and evaluate findings and results
• develop skills in written and oral presentation of research findings.

We are very excited about the possibilities for the students in our innovative new study in Year 10 English and the Senior Years Learning Model at Year 10 and 11, as the skills students will learn and apply are so relevant to their VCE and future tertiary studies.