YR 12 English Retreat

Recently, Year 12 Standard and Advanced English students were invited to participate in a writing retreat up on the New England Tablelands. This is the sixth year that the trip has been run as an extension opportunity for students to encourage creativity and introspection. Our students visited the University of New England where they toured the campus, met the vice-chancellor Dr Brigid Heywood and attended a writing workshop. The group stayed on a working sheep and cattle station west of Uralla in shearer’s quarters that are situated beside the MacDonald River. Granite boulders dotted across the property offer the perfect place to sit in solitude and write.

Time was also spent visiting the Gostwyck Chapel and Dangar Falls. These magnificent locations inspired the students and teachers to spend time putting their best words in the best order. In the evening, we sat around the fire and shared our personal responses with each other. Our writing spoke of the complex beauty of the landscape and the stories that are so deeply embedded in this place.