It is with great sadness that I will be resigning from Hornby High School to take up a role as Curriculum Leader of English at Middleton Grange School.

I would like to wish Sarah Handley all the very best for her one year off to study Te reo, and Ms McLaren as she takes Term 1 off, too. Sasha Johnson, Luke Taylor, and Desirē Truter, along with Chelsea Birch and Raewyn Davis, completed our English teaching team for 2022.  

Over the years, the department has increased the number of Year 13 classes, and established an English Scholarship Pathways group that has attended extension English workshops exploring different literary theories and criticisms.  I believe this helped Nathan (Year 13) obtain the first English Scholarship exam result, possibly ever, if not, for a very long time at Hornby High School.  Nathan achieved this as a year 12 student, too. Molly (Year 13) and Jessica (Year 13) also sat English Scholarship this year.  The department has also explored, implemented, and refined, 21st Century learning pedagogies such as personalisation, Self-determined learning, Connectivism, and all in a culturally responsive manner.  Next year, the Year 9 and 10 courses are thematically based, and students are excited to be able to choose the courses that interest them the most. 

I would like to express my thanks to all the wonderful Hornby High School staff, past and present, especially from and in the English department, and all the cheeky, lovable, creative Hornby High School students, past and present. You are all amazing and wonderful people, and you will be sorely missed!  Have a wonderful and safe Christmas break. 

Scott Aitken 

Hornby High School 

English HoD 2009 to 2022.