Extension Maths
& Literacy
Extension Literacy
In 2023, Extension Literacy has continued to be a dynamic platform for enriching and broadening the students’ writing and critical thinking abilities. The programme introduced students to a diverse range of literary works, spanning from the timeless classics of Shakespearean literature to contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and the world of poetry.
Throughout the year, students have been encouraged to delve into increasingly complex texts, equipping them with skills to analyse and annotate these works effectively. Moreover, the focus has shifted towards understanding the nuances of character development and the deeper layers within stories.
Extension Literacy places a strong emphasis on nurturing creative expression, providing students with the freedom to explore their writing without constraints. This year, students had the opportunity to craft compelling short stories, delving deeper into the layers of meaning and hidden narratives. Subsequent rich discussions and debates about writing styles and language choices allowed the students to transcend their comfort zones and gain profound insights into the works of others.
The success of the Extension Literacy programme is evident in the rich discussions and debates that have flourished, enriching students’ knowledge and enhancing their writing abilities. The year of 2023 has truly been a testament to the power of literacy to inspire creativity and cultivate critical thinking skills among the students.
Student Writing
Anzac Short Story | By Allyra Hinson
Tears well in my eyes and spill over my cheeks as I reach the near end of his letter. My letter. It held good news. He wrote about the sun. He wrote about fighting and winning and sustaining no injuries. But it was all a lie. I could feel it, deep inside me. There was no emotion behind what he wrote, and that’s what gave him away. He wrote about paradise, but he didn’t write about his joy. I’m sure that if I were to read one of his diaries, it would hold different things. It was always there - the sinking feeling of possibility that he may never come home. That he was fighting for a better future he may never get to live.
The diary was something he, like many others, cherished.
A literature of his own feelings, his emotions and fears only he would see, only he would read. My brother, my best friend, wrote such things in a diary that would be delivered to me, his sister, years later. These diaries were treasures to the many families who hold them dear. For the families who didn’t get to hear the stories in person. An actual account of the daily slog, their hopes and dreams contained in the pages coated with grit and dirt. They were almost a forbidden read, not meant for the eyes of others.
My brother left a boy, with hopes of traveling the world and fighting for his land. Hopes of surviving.
His wide smile was genuine when he left that frosty morning on a train, bound for somewhere, his uniform stiff from newness, his hair short and trimmed, his boots shining with the morning sun. He had been excited, for what reason I could not fathom.
Our soldiers were victims but so was I, and so were the families who watched them leave in terror, hoping desperately they would return. The mothers, the wives, the aunties and the sisters, left behind, awaiting the letters; dreading the telegram boy.
Often remembered was the rattling of the bicycle wheels on the bumpy gravel of main street, traveling fast with no brakes. The gasps of relief as the boy rode past, the cries when he didn’t.
My brother was my hero, and now he’s gone.
I was his but still, I live on.
The soldiers who left, who fought with bravery, and who didn’t return.
Let us remember them.
To The Grave | By Sienna Wilton
The 26 year old, calmly walked through the door. Sure of her surroundings. The musty air bringing back painful memories. Tears welled in Lola’s eyes as she gazed across the abandoned room. Fingers running swiftly along the unused bed sheets, launching a dust bomb into Lola’s red face. The tears flowed down her rosy cheeks, softly landing in a puddle on the oak floor. Lola, blinded by her tears, fell limply on the bed. The sun broke through the corners of the dusty yellow curtains, bringing a new feel to the old room. Lola didn’t know if she could move on. The dusty book shelf, the springless chair, they were all so old now. Lola grew up in this room. Sitting on her Grandmothers lap, listening to her adventurous storybook of life, the crimson paint, slowly peeling off the worn out walls, had once been a fresh coat. Lola had lived for 15 years without her. Her sweet old Grandmother Tulip. A rush of air swept the dusty room back into a whirl. Lola wasn’t alone. The somber tone on her rosy face rose as an almost transparent figure climbed from under the creaky bed. Lola knew the figure, and the tears returned. Sitting on the old green chair, listening to her favourite stories. The ones her Grandmother told her.
A Day In The Life Of Charlie Bucket | By Marco De Wit
Hello, my name is Charlie Bucket, eleven years old and hungry as ever. My day starts as Mother dishes out her thin cabbage stew. Smiling at my bedridden grandparents, I finish off my meager portion for breakfast, and I walk to school. My backpack was light and nearly empty, save a single slice of bread for lunch. Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory was legendary, and I could almost taste the chocolatey goodness inside just by passing by. Arriving at school I keep my head down, not answering questions unless asked, waiting until I can get back home, hungrier than I’ve ever been. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Extension Literacy | By Braydon Tetupu
A place where we could go,
to write our passion to our heart’s content,
blank pages were our foe.
From Term 1 it was silence,
an awkward shyness through-and-through,
we only had to get to know each other,
only then our wings soar and flew.
We wrote with golden pens,
quizzed others about books,
wrote to communicate,
that was all it took.
We indulged ourselves in silly children’s books,
early childhood came to play,
a squirrel being chased by a hungry hawk,
and other prompts within the array.
I will miss all of you dearly,
college will be hard and be of great fear,
and to Marco who is only Year 7,
good luck surviving another year here.
And I would like for all of you to know,
from the bottom of my heart,
this is not the end of your literacy journey,
Extension Literacy is only the start.
I’LL MISS YOU
Extension Mathematics
We loved extension Mathmatics, this is why...
In my opinion, the best part of Extension Maths was Mathex and the Otago Problem Solving. Mr Brown made maths fun while teaching us things!
» Anastasia Huan
I found that the algebra we learnt this year was fun. And I enjoyed all the worksheets we did!
» Vicky Fan
The best thing in extension maths was Austin. Love that guy!
» Aayush Nagpal
I am grateful for being in ext math for 3 days because i actually got in it.
» Young Kim
I enjoyed math extension during my time as it was fun and had interesting questions.
» Raymond Gotty
Mathex.
» Wayne Ye
This year I enjoyed the fun challenges that we did. Like the Te Kapua challenge, the SEZ Football challenge, and the mystery.
» Rian Gounder
Mathex was the best thing.
» Shaun Ye
My favourite part of Extension Math was probably doing mathex.
» Deep Kaur
My favourite parts of the year were; Mathex, Otago, Apsmo, Easy worksheets. :)
» Marco De Wit
My favourite thing about extension maths is the work.
» Liam Yang
The best part of Extension Maths this year was doing Mathex as I liked he planned it out. I hope we can continue Mathex!
» Bianca Doo
Extension Maths was fun and interesting. There were a lot of things I liked including Mathex, Otago and APSMO.
» Austin Lin
Being able to do work that was more suited for my level really helped me improve this year.
» Jingyi Zhao
Extension Maths this year was very fun and challenging, since it was stuff that I hadn’t done before such as in the beginning of the year we looked at finances and wages. I also really enjoyed doing mathex and sometimes the Otago and APSMO problem solving. Thank you for teaching us Mr Brown!
» Sundarveer Kaur
My highlight of Extension Maths was Mathex.
» Emily Bai
MATHEX
» Jinseo Lee
I liked Extension Maths because it was fun and I had to do a bunch of worksheets.
» Tanish Samant
