Acclaimed author Cate Kennedy

We were fortunate to have acclaimed author, Cate Kennedy, graciously accept our invitation to visit our College in April and recently returned to speak to the Year 10s. She spoke to our Year 12 English students at St Mary’s Campus about her short story collection, Like a House on Fire. Cate’s visit coincided with the students’ study of her short stories in preparation for their English School-based Assessed Coursework (SAC) which they completed in June.

Cate Kennedy is an award-winning author whose work has been published widely. Her first collection, Dark Roots, was shortlisted for the Steele Rudd Award in the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards and for the Australian Literature Society Gold Medal. Cate is also the author of the highly acclaimed novel The World Beneath, which won the People’s Choice Award in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards in 2010. In addition, Cate is also one of Australia’s most popular teachers of the short story form.

It is a rare occurrence to have the actual author of a Year 12 English text speak to the students in person (beyond the page). Cate’s presentation to our students was engaging and offered insightful commentary that helped our students identify and analyse explicit and implied ideas and values within her stories. In addition, Cate provided valuable insights in the craft of creative writing. Our students came away from her discussion with enthusiasm and were better prepared to analyse her wonderful stories.

Mr Davide Angelo, Teacher