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Field Trips
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Extra-curricular
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ENGLISH 'Good words are worth much and cost little.'
Contents
Department ProfileJudith Magill has been Head of Department since 1985. Her great love is theatre - especially Shakespeare - and she has been a theatre awards judge. Her favourite book is usually the one she is reading, but if forced to make a choice she would probably plump for one of the slightly less gloomy Hardys. John Donne is a clear choice for her favourite poet.
Kath Pilsbury joined the English Department in 1989. She enjoys all literary genres, but is especially fond of the novel and the short story. If she had to choose a favourite writer, it would have to be Jane Austen. Writing is a hobby and she has had some success in the Chester Literature Festival, having had two stories published as a result.
Carolyn Russell began teaching at Abbey Gate College in 2001. She reads a wide range of literature and the most memorable novels she has read so far are 'Bleak House' by Charles Dickens and 'Orlando' by Virginia Woolf. Poetry is also much loved; currently she is enjoying poems by George Mackay Brown, Seamus Heaney and Carol Ann Duffy. A fascination with other cultures and cultural exchange has resulted in postgraduate studies in this field; she is currently writing a Masters' thesis on a colonial/post-colonial New Zealand poet.
Although Sandra Kinsey has been a part time member of the department since 1994, she first arrived at Abbey Gate College back in 1982, teaching full time until 1989. She reads a variety of literature but particularly enjoys the Victorian novel. 'Middlemarch' would be a must for her desert island. She finds teaching Speech and Drama most rewarding and has examined for the English Speaking Board in the past.
Karen Roden joins the school in September 2003. She particularly enjoys teaching poetry with personal favourites being WW1 poets, Thomas Hardy, Seamus Heaney and Gillian Clarke. Her interests go beyond her subject as archeology, the Roman Empire, and many other aspects of world history also fascinate her. This led to her studying for a Diploma in European Humanities. She is also a qualified journalist. In her spare time she enjoys exploring remote British islands with her family; going to the theatre, driving around Europe; watching aircraft; and, collecting thirties pottery.
News desk
The Bad Mother's Handbook, by Kate Long, is to be published on 19th March, 2004, by Picador, as their leading fiction title for the year.
Kate was a member of the English department at Abbey Gate College for many years and we are delighted and proud that she has been so successful with her writing. As the many pupils who have had the good fortune to be taught by Kate would doubtless confirm, she has an original mind and this individuality is very evident in her work.
The novel, written for an adult audience, has been chosen by Radio 4 as their Book at Bedtime around the date of publication.
Poetry Competition
First, Second and Third Year students entered the Young Writers' Poetry in Motion regional competition last term. The best entries are to be published in a volume this February and will include fifty-four First Year poems, nine from the Second Year and twenty from the Third Year. You can read a selection on this website in the student work page.
Congratulations to all those who entered.
Lunchtime Activities
There are a number of activities running in the Library at lunchtime. See notices for details.
Recent additions are a Student Magazine on Tuesday and Creative Writing on Friday.
A junior editing team is putting the Student Magazine together. It is going to be produced each half-term and will be full of news, information, competitions and activities, and sold in aid of the Hope House Hospice. Look out for fliers with details. Anyone interested, please join us. Write Now!, the school's new creative writing sheet, is to be launched shortly and will feature student work. You can submit either poems or stories. Friday's lunchtime session is an opportunity to exchange ideas and pick up tips for your writing. Also look out for a new Creative Writing magazine in the Library.
Student Work
1st Year Work
Death
Its temptation is the worst,
It’s like clasping your heart and stopping it beating, squeezing
it till it starts to leak blood.
Its stench is like rotten decaying bodies dumped in a pit.
It bubbles up inside you like lava ready to erupt.
Its deep reddy blackish colour is like a blood shot eye, tempting
you to scratch it.
It’s as sly as a cat, and as bitter as a lemon.
As quick as a cobra striking you and piercing your skin with its
venomous fangs.
By Katie Blythe
In A Summer Garden
It was a warm Sunday afternoon. Tom sat contentedly in his deck
chair, enjoying the peace, beauty and order of his English country garden in its
summer splendour.
Giant marigolds beamed boldly from the borders like a magnificent
pride of lions. Rambling roses covered the picket fence like a blanket, studded
with regal red rubies. Potted pansies nodded in the breeze like a delegation of
polite Chinese diplomats.
In the
orchard a single starling sat gorging itself on juicy, ripe cherries, tossing
the stones over its shoulder like Henry Tudor’s disposal of chicken bones during
his royal banquets. Tom’s old black and white cat eyed the plump starling with
relish. He circled the base of the tree like a Morris Man dancing round the
Maypole. But his patient ritual was in vain-the bird simply flew away. Taking
exception, the cat skulked off like a moody movie star who leaves the set
whispering, “I vant to be alone!”
By Todd Carter
Nature
The suns rays stretch
their long fingers, as if trying to grip something to stop itself disappearing.
Ducks swim to their nests with their young closely following. Birds peck at the
ground for worms and swoop back to their nests to feed their babies, which
squawk for food. The corn sways like hair in the gentle breeze as children’s
fingertips touch them. The colour of the flowers petals illuminate as the glint
of the sun starts its magical work, the blue and purple colours cover the sky,
clouds like whipped cream.
The water of the pond ripples as bugs hover above it.
Trees sway their long spindly branches and their leaves crackle as the cooling
breeze brushes past them. A flock of small birds swoop over me but they suddenly
spilt up and a beautiful kestrel struts its stuff spreading its wings out
swooping low and high, it was as if it was on stage.
The sun slowly sinks behind the mountains, taking its last
glimpse of the world, soon ‘ NIGHT’ the king of darkness will take over the sky.
Plants close up for the night, cows settle down in their
groups to keep warm. Silence is everywhere…
Darkness smothers the blue sky strangling it so it can’t breath
choking, choking. It wins, and it now covers everything, no life can be seen
only the sorrow and mournfulness of the night. No noise can be heard just
silence; all the animals wait and wait till morning comes.
The sun awakes and slowly swiftly begins to rise, the
animals also begin to awake and soon the sound of birds songs echoes around the
skies and woods. But its all not so perfect a grey and white feather floats down
from the sky, and there below that single feather lies the carcass of a pigeon,
death surrounded it. A fox was the murderer, but soon the sun is high again and
all is normal.
By Katie Blythe
The Raven
Plans for a film
set, character, and costume
The Main Character:
The main character is to
be played by Daniel Day-Lewis. His costume is to be a workman’s suit, black and
uncreased with highly polished, black lace-up shoes. His hair is to be brown,
neatly cut, and quite short. This man is wearing thin and round-framed glasses
as if he is a college professor. His shirt is blue (quite dark), and he is
wearing a plain, very dark, blue tie.
The Set:
The set is a rather
large lounge. It has a fire in one corner of the room (wood), and an old
armchair in front of it. There are lights all around the room; three are placed
on each wall. There are four walls, two of which are lined with old dusty books
(very thick), about old tales, historical books, and classic books by authors
such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. The room is very richly decorated with
silk purple curtains, plenty of antiques, many silk pillows (greens, blues,
browns), an old oak mantle piece with ornaments and a broken clock on it. The
main focal point of the room is a golden-framed picture of Lenore, which is a
painted portrait with a forced smile and has eyes that follow you around the
room. There are plenty of unlit candles and there is a sheepskin rug placed in
front of the fire. An enormously heavy castle-styled oak door is in the corner
of the room.
By Fayona Cowperthwaite
Bank Robbery of the Century
'So you say you
know what you're doing and have done this kind of job before.' Jack started to
speak but I cut him off in mid speech. 'Look I know your
just doing the job for the money but I can't afford any mess ups.' 'You can trust me,
I'll do my best, so can I have the job then' said Jack. 'Hmmm, yes okay,
but I don't want any mess-ups or you'll regret ever getting involved. You'll
find half the money in that envelope over there on the desk, you'll get the rest
after the job. Don't worry you'll get it. Now, you know what you have to do.' 'Yes' said Jack.
You can count on me.' 'Good, now just
leave through that door and shut it behind you.' The next morning I
decided to go over the plans for the bank again, as it's the bank of England
I've had to think very carefully about the security etc. I've carefully selected
eight men to carry out the job including Jack who's to be the person who drives
away with the money. Interestingly enough no one knows who I am, they have never
actually seen me, I just pay them and pick up the stole goods at a specified
point I a graveyard. I don't actually do it for the money, I do it to see whether or not I can get away with it.
Factor Of
Fear
Run, hide, escape from this terror,
This is more than a thriller,
This rotten misfortune
Is a potential killer.
Its teeth are sharp,
Its eyes are gold,
It searches for food
Wherever its told.
That monstrous look,
As the terror is pure,
It’l rip you apart
In a
second, I’m sure
Its out tonight,
So you better take care,
Its coming to get you, Watchout, BEWARE.
by Michael Evans
2nd Year Work
How Can That Be My Father?
How can that be my father? How can he dress like that? Cycling through the darkness, in goggles and a hat. With perspiration flowing, his long legs pump like mad! He rides in search of fitness and comes home looking sad.
How can that be my father? When did he lose his zest? He played for Wales at volleyball in the number 6 red vest. His trophy in the cabinet, I touched with childlike pride. But now the gold paint’s wearing thin and peeling off one
side!
By Todd Carter
Recommended Reads
In the Library we are often asked for a 'good read'. Here are a few current suggestions:
First Years: Holes, Louis Sachar Kensukes Kingdom, Michael Morpugo Inkheart, Cornelia Funke Redwall, Brian Jacques Stormbreaker, Anthony Horowitz Mort, Terry Pratchett The Tears of the Salamander, Peter Dickinson
Second Years:
Third Years:Holes, Louis Sachar The Fifth Element, Terry Pratchett Northern Lights, Philip Pullman Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
Fourth Years:
Fifth Years:
Sixth Form:The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold Once in a House on Fire, Andrea Ashworth Titus Groan, Mervyn Peake Behind the Scenes at the Museum, Kate Atkinson Falling Leaves, Adeline Yen Mah David Copperfield, Charles Dickens
Staff - our favourite reads of 2003:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark Haddon The Girl with a Pearl Earring, Tracy Chevalier Unless, Carol Shields Life of Pi, Yann Martell Private Peaceful, Michael Morpurgo
*These titles are books generally regarded as 'classics', read and enjoyed for many years.
2nd Year Reading List
3rd Year Reading List
Science Fiction/Fantasy
4th and 5th Year Reading ListGeneral
6th Form Reading List
Websites to ExploreReading
Writing Poetry
Film Shakespeare If you find any useful
and interesting websites please let the English Department know and they can be
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