On Tuesday morning this week it was really impressive to join Mrs Famili’s Year 10 GCSE English class and listen to the high level discussion, thoughtful reflections and feel the palpable engagement with learning in the classroom; I would like to congratulate all the students and of course Mrs Famili. The text they were studying was ‘The Reluctant Kamikaze’ a text that certainly grabbed the class’ interest. If you are not familiar with the book the following synopsis might entice you to read it:

Nor Wen, a reluctant Japanese Kamikaze Pilot was determined to escape the madness of the war and obey his father and escape to Brazil. Unforeseen circumstances see him crash in the Kimberley Ranges of Western Australia, almost on top of two prospectors searching for diamonds, a Missionary and his fifteen year old son. Against the odds the three become close friends. For three years the three men form a working relationship,living at the Billabong at the base of the range, surviving the desert and the local Aborigines. Their mining unsuccessful and the war almost at an end, the three decide to return to civilisation. The sudden untimely death of his father forced Michael to take up a position with his Uncles Law firm in Sydney. Framed for embezzlement by his insanely jealous older cousin he is forced to leave the firm. Shamed and with no other option Michael returned to the only home he knew, the mine at the Billabong. Fate and two small birds saw him finally discover the diamonds.

With the high attitude to learning demonstrated by all students in Mrs Famili’s class, I wish them all well in their continued studies at GCSE and hope that they all get the high grades they clearly deserve.