Mrs Smythe and I sat proudly in the audience as Rebecca Lin, 2018 Thomas Hassall Graduate, took the stage to receive her First in HSC English Extension 2 certificate for her short story, Melaka’s Voices. We made sure to purchase several copies of the 2018 Young Writers Showcase anthology featuring Rebecca’s short story.
Melaka’s Voices explores a walking journey through young Charlotte’s grandmother’s childhood town of Melaka in Malaysia with her grandfather, Popo. The story, in Rebecca’s words, seeks to capture the ‘conflicting hybrid narratives that define both Malaysia and today’s multicultural Australian identities’.
In the Author’s Note, Rebecca generously thanked her English Extension 2 teacher, Mrs Smythe, for inspiring her love of literature and making the 12-month journey to submission of her story an enjoyable 'adventure'. As the English and Drama Coordinator, I am also grateful for Mrs Smythe’s commitment to teaching and expansive literary knowledge.
Rebecca is putting her extensive literacy skills to good use, studying a Masters of Primary Education at the University of Sydney and giving back to THAC by tutoring in our Study Centre.
Congratulations Rebecca and Mrs Smythe!
Mrs Vanessa Refalo
English Coordinator
