The Project-Based Learning (PBL) tasks this year have been a great way for students to enhance their creativity, work ethic and collaboration whilst still learning about some of their favourite subjects. What English provided us was no different as we were tasked to direct, write and act in our very own interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. I enjoyed this task as it put a lot of the work into our own hands, which worked in making no video the same as any other group; and also showed us just how much work gets put into the behind the stage aspect of your favourite movies and TV shows. By far though, the best part of this came at the end, when each student cast in their vote for which recreation won a variety of different categories, including best actor, best adaption and best film. For me, the English PBL was an exciting way of nuancing our Romeo and Juliet knowledge while still having fun with our classmates.

This term we had GREAT fun in Year 9 English Extension learning about Shakespeare through Project-Based Learning. We started the term reading Romeo and Juliet, after which students were asked to transform scenes from the play to film. The task was trickier than it seemed at first, as they not only needed actors but camera operators, editors, costume designers, scriptwriters and a music supervisor! All-in-all it was a fantastic opportunity for students to develop not only their ability to problem solve as a team but to come to understand Shakespeare’s enduring relevance by bringing his works to life through the modern medium of film. The films produced ranged from a World War II drama to a Lego film, a cartoon version of the play, and even a gangster comedy. All students should be immensely proud of their efforts. Congratulations go to the following award winners:

• Best actor: Tim Kania, Cale Scott
• Best transformation of original play: War of Love
• Best editing: Lego movie
• Best soundtrack: Love at First Sight
• Best film: Tyrone and Felicia
• Best script: Cartoon Romeo and Juliet
• Most innovative use of technology: Star Wars