Kalamunda host Inaugural Lit Conference

During this year’s National Book Week, the KSHS English Department organised and facilitated the inaugural Kala Lit Conference. The hills were well and truly alive with the sound of almost 200 staff and students from across the Perth Hills and metropolitan area sharing their stories, ideas and love of Literature. Throughout the day students took part in lectures, workshops, and a book café that offered an immersive experience into the world of Literature where they gained new insights, perspectives, and ideas.

We were honoured and privileged to host a stellar group of presenters with a vast array of experience, expertise, and wisdom to deliver sessions on the day. Lectures covering Literary concepts such as Shakespearean Context, Representation and Postcolonialism were delivered by Dr. Jo Jones, Senior Lecturer in Literary and Cultural Studies at Curtin University, Claire Jones, President of The English Teachers Association of Western Australia, and Dr Susan Ash, recently retired Associate Professor of English at Edith Cowan University. Workshops covering Close Reading Practices, Editing, and creative writing were facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Shand, Coordinator of the Master of Teaching (Secondary) English Curriculum at the University of Western Australia, Dr Per Henningsgaard, Senior Lecturer in Writing and Publishing at Curtin University, Dr Michelle Aslett, teacher of English and Literature at Kalamunda Senior High School, published poet Lucy Dougan, and author Dr Sue Midalia.

The event was strongly underpinned by our own school vision sharing our forest of possibilities, and we were delighted to be able to share the possibilities that Literature offers with not only our own students, but with those in the broader Literature community also.

“Awesome experience for me; I really enjoyed listening to the different presenters and learning different things from all of them. Had a fun day meeting different people along with getting the chance to learn from the ideas of different students and presenters. Fun and kind service with the book swaps and student gifts as well.” (Literature Student)

“Lit-tastic” (Isaac Boughton, Year 11 Literature Student KSHS)

“invaluable knowledge” (Rohan Harwood, Year 11 Literature Student KSHS)

Karen Stuart
English Head oF Learning Area

Write a Book in a Day

Three teams represented Kalamunda Senior High School in the Write a Book in a Day competition. The teams of eight arrived at school at 7.30am on Wednesday, 25 August and spent the day creating their stories in the library. The students had 12 hours to write and illustrate their stories following pre-requisites set by the competition. It was a rush to finish, and there was panic when one of the computers turned off before everything was saved. Fortunately, all the teams finalised, submitted and published their books The Adventures of Max and Ash, The Science of Brotherhood and Blue Bessy in the set time. The students were supported by Orietta Stokes, Claire Eden, Sarah Adams, Nicolee McNally and Claire Connor. Thanks also to Helen Clues and Tracy Sutton for their support of the students during this incursion.

Nicolee McNally
English Teacher