Monday 21 October 2013

New 1st Year Book Review Blog!


All of our 1st year English classes are enjoying their 'Library Day' which occurs during one of the English classes each and every week.  At the beginning of the year, each girl contributed a least one novel to their Class Library.  On their chosen Library Day, girls are able to choose and then read their novel over the coming weeks.  Each 1st year is encouraged to read at least one novel each term and once they have finished their novel, they then write up a short review to share their thoughts with their classmates.  One class, Class Almas, have created a book review blog which they have called, 'Chapter by Chapter'.  They have been posting fantastic reviews of the novels they have read since starting 1st year.  So please click on the link and become inspired by our 1st years to pick up a novel and begin reading!

Transition Year Reflections...



As part of their Transition Year English class with Ms Ryan-Widdis, TY students were asked to choose a poem that made a strong impact on them. Some of the poems that were chosen were from their Junior Cert course but students also included poems that they encountered outside of school.  Please click on the link below to see which poems have left an indelible mark on the girls!

TY Poems

Please feel free to email us your favourite poem:  englishonline@loretonavan.ie



Tuesday 8 October 2013

A Reflection on Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est'


As part of their Transition Year poetry module, students are compiling a list of their favourite poems.TY student Aisling O'Flynn has a written a reflection on her favourite poem: 'Dulce et Decorum Est' by Wilfred Owen.  

Please enjoy the poem and then click on the link to read Aisling's reflection.

Aisling's reflection on 'Dulce et Decorum Est'



Dulce et Decorum Est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned out backs,
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots,
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame, all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.

Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!--An ecstasy of fumbling
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time,
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime.--
Dim through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams before my helpless sight
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin,
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs
Bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,--
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori. 

Wilfred Owen





Wednesday 2 October 2013

Sylvia Plath : A Disturbing Experience?





Our 5th years are currently studying the poetry of Sylvia Plath as part of their Leaving Certificate course.  One of our pupils Courtney Graves has very kindly submitted an essay on her experience of reading Sylvia Plath.  Courtney has come all the way from Connecticut to study here in St Michael's for the year. Welcome Courtney, we are delighted to have you studying with us!

Please click the link below to read Courtney's fascinating and insightful essay.

Courtney's Essay