SENIOR SCHOOL
Valuable advice from a successful author
Earlier this year, several of our English
classes were fortunate enough to receive
a visit from award-winning author Michael
Gerard Bauer, following a study of his
excellent novel, Don’t Call Me Ishamel.
Having the opportunity to discuss the writing
process with a celebrated author was an
awesome experience.
Michael Bauer himself was very funny and
more than willing to answer the many
questions we had for him. He shared with
us his insights into the creative process,
explaining how ideas can come from
anywhere in your life – even when they
seem ridiculous or silly. Above all, Mr Bauer
encouraged us to never doubt ourselves. His
presentation gave us all a new perspective
as to how an embarrassing or troubling
experience can make for a terrifically
entertaining work of prose, provided that it is
constructed in the right way.
commented on how impressed he was with
both of the speakers, adding that they were
among the finest presentations he had seen.
Having recently concluded our novel study
with a series of presentations, two students –
Tyler Campbell (8Be) and Joe Gerus (8Wb)
– presented a second time, this time in the
presence of the author himself. Mr Bauer
Mr Bauer concluded the presentation by
explaining his journey of becoming an
author. This no doubt was inspiring to a
number of boys in Mr Mayhill and Mrs
Chamberlain’s classes, several of whom are
Tyler Campbell, Michael Bauer and Joseph Gems.
aspiring young authors. I know I speak for
the entire class and the English Faculty when
I say that the visit has brought both our novel
study and the writing process to life.
It probably also explains why Mr Bauer’s
books always seem to booked out from
the School Library!
Maxwell Mayall (8Sc)
Success for Lucas Roosendaal in the
“Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition
The “Chinese Bridge” Chinese proficiency Competition for
secondary school students (WA, NT, ACT, SA) was held at the
Confucius Institute at the University of Adelaide on the June
19-20 this year.
The competition provides an opportunity for students learning
Chinese to demonstrate their proficiency, have a fun and
rewarding experience, meet other students interested in
Chinese, and to motivate them to continue pursuing their
language studies. The winners of the competition will be
invited to compete in the international finals in China in late
October this year.
The contestants had to compete in the following competition
structure:
1. Prepared a 5 minutes speech in Chinese
2. Chinese cultural performance (5 minutes)
3. Knowledge of China written test with general knowledge
questions in Chinese.
Lucas was one of the six WA students selected to travel
Adelaide to compete in the final.
After two days of intense competition, Lucas was placed in
the top three. He is the only WA contestant who made into
the top group and he will compete in China later this year.
Congratulations to Lucas for his outstanding performance.
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