Posted in Nepean High School, Riverside Rd, tagged energy, English Class, hyper, participation, Speed on November 25, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Cool & laid-back takes a back seat.
A compelling need to contribute launches
Sir! Sir!
Hands thrust up, … or not.
Garry, Max what’s got into you today?
Blood pumping, rushing oxygen around – at speed,
Everything awake, alert, charged, hyper-…
Keep moving, keep talking,
Or pressure builds
Our hearts will burst.
Posted in 138 Station St, Nepean High School, tagged dedication, English Class, excursion, inspiration, Nepean High School on September 29, 2012| 1 Comment »
English classes become interesting
Teachers wanting to share
What they see, feel & love
They transport us.
Metaphorically, by their care & passion.
And, literally, by bus, train or car
Anywhere, anytime
To venues, events, theatres,
Anything …
Enlivening texts, engaging us.
Ms Purcell & Mr Young
Dedicate many private hours
Opening our eyes.
NHS Staff 1970: Ms Purcell is front row, extreme right. Mr Young back row, 7th from left.
Posted in 138 Station St, Nepean High School, tagged drama, English Class, Macbeth, Shakespeare on September 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Despite successfully negotiating
Through successive years,
The Nepean High English Department
Maintains its belief that a text is unread
Unless it is read aloud … in class.
Makes sense for Macbeth.
Our first taste of Shakespeare.
Language obscure & unfamiliar
Our voices stumble, stutter.
Helped along by tension, mystery, murder, evil.
.
Posted in 138 Station St, Nepean High School, tagged canteen, English Class, Nepean High School, progressive dances, school dancing on August 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Nepean High, No School Hall
We have a multi-purpose canteen.
Seating shifted to the perimeter,
We know real fun – with relevance – awaits:
The Pride of Erin
Progressive Barn Dance
Canadian Three Step
We dance (hehehe) the circle, stepping
Forward, back, heel, toe.
Partner progresses.
Doh-see-doh!!
I’d rather be in Skelly’s English class!
Posted in 138 Station St, Nepean High School, tagged English Class, Father Brown, G.K. Chesterton, Incredulity on June 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Familiar shrill opens English class,
“COWAN!
What’s your book review.”
I gulp, start my answer.
It’s called,
The Incred …
Stumbling. Try again.
The Incred …
Again, but worse.
I can’t pronounce it, Mrs Skelly!
But it is G.K. Chesterton and it’s something like
The Disbelief of Father Brown
“COWAN!
IN … CRED … YOU … LIT … EEE!”
Reddening cheeks. Embarrassed.
Posted in 138 Station St, Nepean High School, tagged 1st Form, English Class, Nepean High School, reading, Year 7 on May 31, 2012| 5 Comments »
She scares me,
The 1st Form* English teacher.
Thin, bird-like features, beehive hair.
Palpable fear,
Like walking through Magpie territory
In spring.
I know an attack is imminent.
I hope I’m prepared.
Mrs Skelly’s methodology,
Students reading aloud.
Class starts with harsh high-pitched command.
Predictably:
“COWAN! BEGIN.”
Dutifully I read.
Note:
* 1st Form in Secondary School. It s now Year 7. Students are generally turning 13 at this stage.
365 Short Memories 