In this space discuss how written texts have moved and shaped your ideas in regards to the context.

Some discussion points...

NB: Always reference/acknowledge your sources.

How have your chosen written texts moved and shaped your ideas in regard to the context?

What is it that strikes you about the text you have chosen to recommend?

Are there any links between the set texts and the texts that interest and inspire you in regards to the context?

What forms of writing could you see taking shape from the ideas of the texts?

Can you make any worthwhile comments in relation to someone else's post?






Thursday, December 16, 2010

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

A Pertinent Latin Quote

Cuiusvis hominis est errare; nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare
Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one

Martin Luther King - I Have A Dream...

During classes recently we have discussed the literary device anaphora. It was a term new to all of us and while researching its meaning I found that Martin Luther King's I have a dream speech was a working example of anaphora.

Anaphora is the repetition of a sentence or phrase throughout a piece of information. It works to highlight a point and make a strong impact on the audience. Without doubt it worked magic for Martin Luther King, I have a dream is arguably the most memorable speech of all time so far.

So, it was quite incredible to discover that many of us had never heard of the I have a dream speech. It is worth considering this part of history in terms of our Encountering Conflict Context. Find the speech embedded below for you to listen to and view at your own leisure. You will find that there are many links between the issues King addresses and our set texts, The Rugmaker and The Secret River. Leave comments about links you can see and/or what you think in response to the speech. Some of you might be inspired to do some background research into King's battle against racial injustice in America during the the 1950's and 1960's and post your own response to an area of our blog.



It is through educating ourselves, remembering and learning from the past that we work towards creating an all round better world in the future. It has been said that the civil rights movement in America was started by Rosa Parks. One day, she decided she would like to sit at the front of the bus...incredibly, this was a choice that changed the world!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Text Tremours: Artemis Fowl

I used to be a bookworm and so I have read quite a collection of books, though most of them were fiction related. There was this particular series which was called “Artemis Fowl”, and it was about Artemis Fowl, a 12-year-old human genius, trying to steal “fairy technology” so he would get rich and get his family out of monetary problem. The fairies weren’t particularly fond of the humans and the Artemis wasn’t very fond of the fairies either. They had a big fight at the start of the series but became friends later on. Artemis became a really good friend of the fairies who would often lend the fairies a hand when they were in a pinch and vice versa.
I think Artemis Fowl relates to the Secret River on the fact that both texts had two different races and neither side liked the other. Though Artemis Fowl had a good ending where the two sides compromised with each other, I think that there was a big connection between the two. Well, the white settlers and the aboriginals are now coexisting with each other in present times so I guess there is still that similarity.
Again, Artemis Fowl further shows that even though there are differences between two organisations, both parties could still have a good relationship as long as they compromise these differences and try to work with each other.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

THE LIEUTENANT

The Lieutenant is also a Kate Grenville book and faces many of the conflicts that arise in the Secret River. Much like the Secret River focuses on William Thornhill, the Lieutenant focuses on the Daniel Rooke, and English Lieutenant and astronomer who comes to Australia in search of new discoveries. Like the Thornhill family, Rooke sets himself up away from the original settlement. This attracts many native aboriginals who explore his area. Although in the Secret River they also find the new settlement of the English. Like Blackwood in the Secret River, Rooke finds a new friend ship in the natives. Especially in Tagaran, a native aboriginal girl, this resembles that of Scabby Bill. Rooke forgets where he is from, in terms of his job and this is much like what happens in the Secret River with William Thornhill who forgets has was once poor and has robbed the Native Americans of their land and their culture. Although William Thornhill and Daniel Rooke have different takes on the aboriginals, it is the little details that make the Secret River and the Lieutenant similar.

By Nick

Surviving Sydney Cove

A few years ago, I read the book ‘Surviving Sydney Cove’, a story about a young English girl, who is sent to Australia, after being wrongly accused of stealing. I find the storyline of the book similar to the text ‘The Secret River’, and their conflicts faced.
Not only are both the main characters of each book, William Thornhill, and Elizabeth Harvey, exiled to Australia, they both recount their experiences of their journey to their new country, and the differences between their old home, and their new homes.
Both characters encounter conflicts, such as personal conflicts, missing their old home and families, interpersonal conflicts with other Australians, and cultural conflicts with the ‘Blacks’.
Elizabeth came out to Australia with the 1st fleet, (April 1790), at the age of 13 which is much earlier than William. Her story is set in the format of a diary, while Will’s is set as a narrative. Her story lasts only 2 months, while Thornhill’s lasts many years.

By Steph

Saturday, March 20, 2010

BHS Encountering Conflict Blog

Check out text response activies and sample writing on The Secret River at this blogspot by Balwyn High School. There is also a fantastic cache of uselful links that provide background and discussion on the text.