Dhruv - Year 9 Student Editor's note: Year 9 student Dhruv writes here about his personal experiences of coronavirus lockdown. He talks of missing the joys of summer and playing cricket, but comes to realise the value of social interaction, time spent with family, and even time spent in the classroom. This is Dhruv's third … Continue reading Lockdown Life
Category: English
Imprisoned
Jack - Year 12 Student Editor's note: Tasked with writing a short story entitled 'Imprisoned', Year 12 student Jack's work really stood out for its effective use of deliberately crafted paragraphs, varied vocabulary, and the way in which it shows, rather then tells, the reader the story. CPD/KLK Imprisoned I was standing in the chamber … Continue reading Imprisoned
United amidst adversity
Aqib - Year 11 Student Editor's note: GSAL student Aqib, now in Year 12, provides the context for this wonderful poem in his own words: "I have been greatly inspired to write just a short poem on a topic that I feel strongly about: this, of course, is the racial tension ravaging the world today. … Continue reading United amidst adversity
Breaking down Lloyd Jones’ ‘Mister Pip’
Thabiso - Year 8 Student Editor's note: Passionate reader and writer Thabiso, now in Year 9, writes here about Lloyd Jones' excellent novel 'Mister Pip', set against the backdrop of the Bougainville Civil War during the early 1990s. 'Mister Pip' was nominated for the Man Booker Prize in 2007. This is Thabiso's third major contribution … Continue reading Breaking down Lloyd Jones’ ‘Mister Pip’
Why do people fight?
Alexandra - Year 9 Student Editor's note: I could have submitted at least two handfuls of answers in response to this task, but this one really stood out. Alexandra, now in Year 10, wrote the following in response to the task at the bottom and it really made me go 'Wow': sophisticated, concise, and yet … Continue reading Why do people fight?
Lavender: A Flashback
Vicky - Year 13 Student Editor's Note: This essay forms part of a collection of student works published in the 2020 edition of Salutaris, the GSAL Sixth Form academic journal. It was originally published here in The GSAL Journal. References are available upon request. CPD Lavender: A Flashback ‘I was unsettled when I was little, and spent a great … Continue reading Lavender: A Flashback
Online Learning
Thabiso - Year 8 Student Editor's Note: We’re delighted to see that Thabiso Y8 is a contributor to the latest issue of The Duchy Vixen. Harrogate's quarterly magazine has gone digital in lockdown, as has much of our school life. Scroll to page 11 of the June 2020 issue to read Thabiso's report on online … Continue reading Online Learning
Coronavirus: ‘a boon to the world’s authoritarians, tyrants and bigots’?
Dorotea - Year 9 Student Editor's Note: This wonderful Prezi presentation was researched and created by Dorotea Y9 in response to a recent task set in English (see below). The stimulus for the task was a recent quote from Jonathan Freedland (The Guardian, 2020), "Still, for now, the pandemic has been a boon to the … Continue reading Coronavirus: ‘a boon to the world’s authoritarians, tyrants and bigots’?
Wandering
Emily - Year 9 Student Editor's Note: Are you the new Blake? Many of us have been going for daily walks if able to do so. Borrowing poet William Blake's form, Emily Y9 has written her own poem about her recent wanderings. Her poem ends in an uplifting manner; the bit of cheer that we … Continue reading Wandering
A Short Story
Eva - Year 8 Student Editor's Note: This short piece of excellent fictional writing was completed by Eva Y11 as part of her studies in English. CPD The darkness, streaked with moonlight, creeps up on us. The calamity is as foreboding as King Marold’s empty eyes. I shiver, but not because of the midnight chill. … Continue reading A Short Story










