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Our Legend@Lunch for May was Business Studies and PE teacher Mr Ben Phillips. Ben drew an amazing crowd and had them enthralled. Along with his own recollections of learning about boxing and learning the life lessons of boxing, Ben quoted from some of his favourite books on the subject. Several are recalled in the video above. One of these is from On Boxing by Joyce Carol Oates. Widely known as a fiction writer, her book surprised many but is considered a modern classic on the subject. The session was rounded off with video highlights of a few famous boxers of the last half century.

Ben inherited a love of boxing from his father who encouraged him to read about boxing history, then agreed to take him to lessons where he really got hooked. Some final words from Ben:

The thing that boxing taught me was the importance of being a man from an early age and using the skills I learnt wisely… Boxing taught me self discipline. What this discipline instilled in me was to finish things I have started. To go the extra mile. To run another kilometre when I had finished a set training distance.  To train when others weren’t. To finish the things I start.

by Daniel

The first novel in this amazing set of 3 series… is “The Forests of Silence.” Emily Rodda is an amazing artist of fictional literature. She has created a whole world in which the reader can immerse his or her self.

I have immersed myself in the Deltoran culture a multitude of times. My favourite part of the series was the Pirran Pipe. Although unrealistic and unearthly in certain contexts, Rodda still manages a great novel. The main character of the book, Lief, heir to the throne, is quite like the little bit of adventure inside all of us, trying anything.

Overall, I rate this series an 9/10. This is because I found out that there was only going to be a third series…

Marc McBride, the illustrator of the novel covers and the illustrator of books such as “The Deltora book of Monsters’, was kind enough to autograph my copy of “The Forests of Silence” when I met him in year 5. A very kind, free-spirited person he was, spraying a great picture in minutes.

Want to find out more?

The Author?

The Illustrator?

General Information?

by Victor   

Ranger’s Apprentice is a series of books written by John Flanagan. It is a great series consisting of seven books. Whilst the eighth book is still being written, the ninth is currently being planned. The books are set in a mythical land called Araluen.

The series follows the adventures of the protagonist Will. Will was rejected from training as a warrior-knight because he was too small. Will always dreamed of becoming a Warrior Knight because his father was one of the best. Will lives in a castle called Redmont in the center of Araluen.

After rejection, Will then gets chosen to become a Ranger’s Apprentice, which not many people know about because they are a mysterious group who act as the King’s eyes and ears throughout the kingdom Araluen and beyond its shores.

 Will is soon trained to be an expert archer and knife thrower, as well as learning the skills of silent, unseen movement, tracking and concealment. The story continues throughout the series of A Ranger’s Apprentice where Will is trained with new tricks and becomes a real Ranger one day.

It is a great and an exciting series to read and I guarantee after you read the first book you would want to continue the series.

The nine books are titled;

1.      The Ruins of Gorlan

2.      The Burning Bridge

3.      The Icebound Land

4.      Oakleaf Bearers (called The Battle for Skandia in the US)

5.      Sorcerer in the North

6.      The Siege of Macindaw

7.      Erak’s Ransom

8.      Kings of Clonmel

9.      Halt’s Peril

Kings of Clomnel and Halt’s Peril are still being written and so the titles could change at any moment

 Visit the Official Website for more: information, maps, drawings and news.

Volume 1 The Ruins of Gorlan. Which cover do you like best? Move your mouse over each cover to see the country where it is published.

By Julian W

There is an on-going debate occurring within the school community regarding which types of literature are the best. This general discussion has provoked many different opinionated responses. Many different types of literatures contain similar qualities. However, which type of literature contains the most effective literary devices to challenge a student’s vocabulary, imagination and comprehension?

Novels are probably one of the largest sources of student literature today. Novels more effectively capture the imagination of readers because they include many features such as: new vocabulary, literary techniques, characters and themes. They also allow readers to exercise their imagination throughout the duration of the book. The amount of concentration used whilst reading a book should also dramatically increase comprehension. (more…)

by Daniel

The Midnight Library series of books, is written by multiple different authors. The series is all written under one alias of “Nick Shadow.” Each book is one different author, which makes sure that the book is never boring, because all of the authors have different ideas.

The 8 books in this series so far are: “Voices”, “Blood and Sand”, “End Game”, “The Cat Lady”, “Liar”, “Shut Your Mouth”, “I Can See You” and “The Catch.”

Although I have not read all books in the series yet, I thoroughly enjoyed the novels “I Can See You” and “Liar.” There are 3 stories in each novel, meant to be scary. They are…unless you are brave enough.
So have a thrill, your heart beating a mile a minute…If you dare!

You can visit Fantastic Fiction to learn some more about this series.
 

by HeathS

Dear All,

Please Submit your answer to this question with a half or full - page response as to why this film is your favourite!

Your responses will be published on the Blog and open for viewing under the “Heath” category page.

Please also see our “Your Favourite Book” page which is also located in he “Heath” category page.

We look forward to your responses!

HeathS.

[email your response to Mrs Thomson]

by HeathS

Dear All,

Please Submit your answer to this question with a half or full - page response as to why this book is your favourite!

Your responses will be published on the Blog and open for viewing under the “Heath” category page.

Please also see our “Your Favourite Film” page which is also located in he “Heath” category page.

We look forward to your responses!

HeathS.

[email your response to Mrs Thomson]

Fan fiction is a term that describes authors’ creative writing that uses pre-existing characters from television, movies or other fiction. Usually composed of short stories, fan fiction used to be published in ‘zines and mailed to a small number of subscribers. Today, the Internet allows authors to publish their work to a much wider audience. From Chilling Effects Clearinghouse

The biggest fan fiction site around is FanFiction - unleash your imagination and here is what Daniel thinks of this site:

Everyone who can read has the choice to like or dislike reading. Whatever your feelings are towards reading, I know a website for you. Fanfiction.net has a multitude of stories including stories based on games, movies, cartoons, books and much much more… All the stories are written by different authors and are fantastically edited into masterpieces. Hope you like it! Daniel

We would love to hear what you think of FanFiction.net - some specific examples would be good. Click on COMMENTS below.

Some authors and publishers object to fan fiction being published on the web for copyright reasons. This is a tricky issue. For more information read this page at Chilling Effects Clearinghouse. J. K. Rowling has given her blessing to fan fiction writers, with a couple of provisos, and Mary Hoffman encourages it by publishing fan fiction on her Stravaganza web site.

Illustration: Fancy Hippogriff - Arizona Turquois Rump by Babbletrish.

by HeathS

On the 20th of May 2008, our class attended the Sydney Writers’ Festival with many other students at the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta. The entire festival was active over a 6-day period, from the 19th – 25th of May. Writers such as Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki, Nicki Greenberg and JC Burke entertained and informed the entire audience with their interesting – often humorous – commentary and reviews of their books. Even questionable comments were shared such as Dr. Karl’s yawning and the individual reactions to those who are using anti-depressants and the stage adaption of JC Burke’s ‘Starfish Sisters’. The entire session was of a light-hearted, yet knowledgeable and meaningful tone.

The first speaker – Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki discussed his passion for science, common myths, and conspiracies. However, his eccentric shirt caught the entire theatre’s attention. Firstly, he presented the common myth of ‘The Bermuda Triangle”, and made the inference that the Bermuda Triangle having any kind of ‘supernatural’ force behind it was as credible as man walking on the sun, and that word of mouth has twisted the truth of the actual ‘mysteries’. (more…)

Recently the LitFlicks team watched King Arthur as part of their close look into Arthurian legend in literature and film. Here is what one correspondent thought. Further comments welcome.

King Arthur, directed by Antoine Fuqua, incorporates many themes of Arthurian legend. The story, set in 452 A.D. shows many vital themes and issues in medieval days including: religion, battle, love, and bravery throughout the film.

The Director uses many theatrical devices to successfully portray King Arthur as a hero and the importance of Arthurian Legend. Throughout the many battles during the film, the use of suspense from music, camera angles, fire, and many more features created the correct theme and mood for the story.

During the film religion remained a crucial issue. The movie made it hard to comprehend to what religion Arthur and his opposition were committed. Bravery was also a vital theme shown in battles throughout the story.

Towards the end of the film, after prisoner Guinevere enters the story, love is shown from Arthur towards her. This is continued throughout the story until the ending of the film.