02 Dec 2017
The school has been featured by ABC News for its exciting literacy initiatives.The news story focuses on our appreciation of Shakespeare and the innovative work we have done with our in-residence partners, the Sydney Story Factory. CBHS staff all agree that the poetry initiatives have been amazing in targeting boys' creativity and collaboration.
Students from years 7 to 12 have been working throughout 2017 on a range of programs with storytellers and professional writers, including slam poet Bilal Hafta and our Story-Teller In-Chief Richard Short to improve written expression.
Sydney Story Factory is an award-winning program run by Cath Keenan, Australian of the Year Local Hero in 2016. Volunteers from the Story Factory work within the school to develop student writing and provide diverse opportunities in writing.
Our boys have engaged in creative writing initiatives, film making, drama and poetry opportunities with our English, Visual Arts and Photography and Digital Media classes all engaging in programs to extend literacy achievements.
The partnership has seen literacy engagement transcend beyond the school gate. Recently Year 9 and 10 students visited Brett Whitely's Gallery in Surry Hills for a weekend poetry reading. Amongst the beautiful surrounds, CBHS students gave dramatic readings and performed with aplomb. This was seen by students families and members of the public.
Later this month, CBHS will attend the launch of the 2017 Student Novella. This is the gifted and talented Sydney Story Factory extension project two of our students have participated in. Every Sunday morning, Alexander Lorenzon and Annan Ahmed have been attending the Bankstown Arts Centre where there have worked with volunteer tutors to write their very own novella - a fully realised story, professionally edited, to publishable standard. Two of the six works published are from our students.
Watch the talented Alexander Lorenzon, performing a poetry slam from Romeo and Juliet: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-16/getting-boys-to-love-literature-and-reading/9149382
The school also featured on ABC Radio's 702 The World Today with Linda Bottram: http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/boys-literacy/9157642
We are excited to continue our in-residence partnership with the Sydney Story into 2018. To find out more about what is being planned, contact 9798-8444 now.