November, 2025

Year 11 English Literary Studies students successfully undertook an ekphrastic narrative writing unit this year using artwork and our local coastline for inspiration. 

Ekphrastic writing describes text that responds to or describes a visual artwork, such as a painting or sculpture, in a detailed and often dramatic way. 

Students were inspired in their efforts by the work of talented local artist and photographer Elizabeth Solich who blends her skills to create paintings that capture the underwater world. Elizabeth not only gave the students permission to use her paintings, but she also provided background information. 

In addition to the unique artworks, the class also focused on the current algal bloom along the South Australian coast as inspiration for meaningful narratives. The classroom became a mini art gallery, and the written results were amazing.

As an additional inspiration and incentive for the unit, the internal ‘Eco-Critical Ekphrastic Narrative Writing’ competition was organised with student’s final work judged by Elizabeth and local author Stephen Orr. 

Winners were announced on Thursday 13 November with Stephen Orr present to congratulate the successful students Paige Squires and Anna Job.

Source: Cat Davis, English Teacher

On Thursday 30 October, students in Years 4 to 6 from the South Green Team visited Blackham to work in conjunction with former Para Wirra Park Ranger Steve Taylor as well as volunteer members of the Friends of Para Wirra group to undertake weed surveying and eradication.

The students were specifically looking for any evidence of the highly noxious (and toxic) pest species Ornithogalum thyrsoides (chincherinchee) and Moraea flaccida (cape tulip). 

Thankfully, no chincherinchee was detected, but they did find a couple of outbreaks of cape tulip on the southern boundary, which they mapped on phone apps iNaturalist and Avenza for future reference and continual treatment.

This activity has proven to be the flagship collaboration with Friends of Para Wirra, and given the success of the day, plans are in progress to continue the collaboration into 2026.

Source Katrina Cole, Head of Experiential Learning