Regents Review Summer '17

The Regents Review Summer 2017

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS

English Key Stage 3 English Year 7

Chloe Gale commented: “I’m learning a lot about problems in other countries and why people become refugees.” Year 8 Year 8 have been reading short stories of a ghostly genre as they prepare to write their own spooky tales. They’ve been investigating how a particular setting can create a feeling of suspense in short stories like: ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ and ‘The Red Room’.

This term Year 7 students have been studying different novels with a focus on the context of the story. At GCSE level there is a requirement to understand the significance of the context of a story and be able to link it to events in the story. Texts include: ‘Refugee Boy’ by Benjamin

Key Stage 4 English Good bye and good luck to Year 11! So the time has finally come and we have waved a sad goodbye to Year 11, who have been a fantastic year group in English and Media Studies. Given the unenviable task of being the first cohort through the new 9-1 English curriculum, they have risen to the challenge and impressed the English team greatly. With no coursework to rely on and suddenly four exams to prepare for (including two closed-book Literature exams), it would have been no surprise if mass panic had ensued: instead the students took a calm, organised and dedicated approach that saw them tackle their exams with poise, composure and confidence. Needless to say we are eagerly awaiting their results! Similarly Year 10 have just sat mock exams in Language and Literature, and have demonstrated the rapid progress that they have made as a year group. Following hot on the heels of Year 11, Year 10 students have taken to the demands of the new GCSE like proverbial ducks to water. Their exam results have been highly encouraging – we are expecting great things!

Zephaniah and ‘Iqbal’ by Francesco D’Adamo. Kian Cheshire in 7BY said: ‘I am enjoying Refugee Boy as I like the way he shares his emotions about his experiences about being a refugee.’

Regents Reads! Year 7 and 8 classes have continued to spend a weekly lesson in the library, giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in a book. The expectation of students reading at home remains high. Did you know that reading can be therapeutic and can actually enhance your memory? In fact the benefits of reading are endless. • It can help to boost analytical thinking • It can help increase your ability to show empathy towards others • It can help expand students’ vocabulary

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