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The Shape of a Story

The creativity, curiosity and intellectual ambition of Year 12 English Extension 2 students were celebrated as nineteen Major Works showcased at IGS.

English Extension 2 invites students to undertake an independent investigation, developing a sustained composition while documenting their creative process through a Major Work Journal and Reflection Statement. Over the course of the year, students transformed their ideas, research and perspectives into works spanning short fiction, scripts, multimedia, creative nonfiction and critical response.

 

A woman gives a presentation on The Clearing, exploring elements of storytelling with a slide showing images of Martin Heidegger, his book Sein und Zeit, and a house, at a lectern labelled IGS.
A young man in a white shirt stands at a lectern, smiling, next to a screen displaying OLIVER McKENDRY, One Perfect Day, Multimedia along with an image of an open book and an Achievement Award badge—perfectly capturing the narrative arc and shape of a story celebrated for its compelling story structure.
A woman stands at a lectern smiling, next to a large screen displaying CONGRATULATIONS YEAR 12 and an image of hands holding sparklers—a fitting backdrop for celebrating the unique narrative arc each student has followed in the shape of their own story.
A person stands at a lectern labelled IGS beside a projected slide displaying Anna Morrow, Exit Wound, Short Fiction and an image of an open, glowing book, evoking the craft of storytelling and the intricacies of narrative arc.
A woman stands at a lectern labelled IGS, smiling and pointing at a projected image of a glowing, sparkling book during her presentation on story structure.
A person stands at a lectern labelled IGS and speaks, with a large screen behind showing a scenic mountain landscape covered in trees—a fitting backdrop for discussing the narrative arc and the Shape of a Story.
A student in a white shirt stands at a lectern, presenting with a large screen displaying text beside them. The lectern has a sign reading International Grammar School, as the student discusses the shape of a story and explores narrative arc in their presentation.
A woman stands at a lectern giving a presentation on the Shape of a Story. Behind her, a screen displays black-and-white portraits of three historical women. The room has wooden floors and modern decor.
A woman stands at a lectern, looking at a large screen displaying someone in a hoodie walking across a bridge, with trees in the background—an image that hints at the unfolding narrative arc and the shape of a story yet to be told.
A woman stands at a lectern presenting in front of a screen displaying four images of young people using phones and talking outdoors. The lectern has an IGS logo. Her presentation explores the narrative arc, using these real-life moments to illustrate the Shape of a Story and demonstrate how story structure unfolds in everyday interactions.
A person stands at a lectern presenting, gesturing towards a large screen displaying a black-and-white photo of a house under construction. The event appears to be indoors, with a projector and an IGS sign visible, as the speaker discusses the narrative arc and story structure behind the project's development.
A woman stands at a lectern giving a presentation on the shape of a story; the projected screen shows images of office scenes, cubicles, filing cabinets, and a woman outdoors, illustrating different points along the narrative arc.
A man stands at a lectern labelled IGS giving a presentation titled About the Course, with an image of a fountain pen on a screen beside him. His talk delves into the narrative arc and the shape of a story, guiding listeners through essential elements of story structure.

 

The showcase offered an insight into the remarkable diversity of voices and ideas explored by the class. From climate crisis, geopolitics and the fractured world around us to family, nostalgia, grief, love and loss, the works ventured into both expansive and deeply personal landscapes.

The evening was also a celebration of the students as storytellers, writers, filmmakers, playwrights and creatives. Their works explored historical figures and moments, philosophical questions, contemporary issues and imagined worlds, demonstrating the breadth of possibilities that emerge when students are given the space to pursue an idea deeply and independently.

The journey began in October 2025 with an exploration of Mark Rothko’s Rust and Blue. Students were challenged to look closely at the artwork and respond through poetry, considering how meaning can emerge from colour, space, composition and context. This early exercise became a starting point for a year-long exploration of the dynamic relationship between text, composer, audience and context.

 

Five people stand in a queue, each tipping a different style of hat. They are indoors by blue steps, wearing casual and checked clothes, facing left, and appear to be having fun—almost as if they’re characters embodying the playful narrative arc found in the shape of a story.
A woman stands at a lectern with IGS on it, smiling and speaking. Behind her is a screen showing an open book with glowing sparkles and a caption that says Always Write, as she discusses the Shape of a Story and the art of storytelling.
A person stands at a lectern presenting slides titled Brayden Truong, Hat Kingdom, Short Fiction with an image of an open glowing book on the screen, illustrating the narrative arc and story structure behind the tale.
A person stands at a lectern giving a presentation, smiling, with a large screen behind them displaying an image of a grand staircase and arched windows. The lectern is labelled IGS. The presentation appears to focus on the narrative arc, as the speaker gestures animatedly whilst describing how the shape of a story unfolds through dynamic visuals in the background.
A woman stands at a lectern next to a screen displaying Alexandra Oppen, an open book with sparkles, and Theodore Wilson, Short Fiction. The lectern has an IGS logo, setting the stage for an engaging exploration of story structure and the art of storytelling.
A group of students sit in blue tiered seating, attentively watching something off-camera. Most are smiling or engaged, and they appear to be in a modern lecture theatre or classroom setting, perhaps captivated by a discussion about the shape of a story or the intricacies of narrative arc.
A woman stands at a lectern looking at a screen displaying Nollaig, 1975, historical photos, and a map of Ireland. The lectern has the IGS School logo. The room is dimly lit except for the screen, setting the scene for an engaging exploration of storytelling structure as she examines how these images follow the Shape of a Story—a compelling narrative arc unfolding through history.
A student stands at a lectern labelled International Grammar School, presenting next to a screen displaying various historical and artistic images, illustrating the Shape of a Story to highlight how storytelling structure can be found throughout history.
A person stands at a lectern, presenting a slide titled The Virtues of Extinction by Connor Robertson in a room with a large screen displaying an overgrown, abandoned city scene. Their discussion highlights the narrative arc and story structure that shape this haunting visual, inviting the audience to consider how these elements contribute to the unfolding tale.
A group of students wearing various coloured hats sit in a modern, teal lecture theatre, smiling and engaged as they discuss story structure, while a woman in the background holds up a sheet of paper.
A young woman speaks at a lectern with a projected painting of an older man in a suit on a screen beside her, artfully guiding the audience through the narrative arc and illuminating the shape of his story.

 

Throughout the process, students developed their Major Works with the support of their supervising teachers, Susie Bolt, Shauna Colnan, Thom Marchbank and Aisling Power, alongside IGS Writer in Residence Dr Felicity Plunkett. Their guidance encouraged students to refine their ideas, embrace rigorous feedback and push their creative and intellectual thinking further.

Just as important was the sense of community developed among the students themselves. Meeting regularly at lunchtimes and after school, they shared ideas, encouraged one another and created a supportive environment in which their individual works could take shape.

The result was a collection of nineteen highly individual works, each reflecting the voice, interests and imagination of its composer. Together, they are a testament to the possibilities of independent creative inquiry and to the extraordinary potential of our Year 12 students.

 

A smiling woman holds a bouquet of flowers in a modern event space. Behind her, a screen displays a photo of her, underscoring the storytelling at play as several people are seated, clapping and watching the presentation unfold.

 

This year’s showcase also held a special significance for Principal Shauna Colnan, marking the final English Extension 2 class she will teach and supervise at IGS. After more than a decade of teaching English and serving the IGS community, Ms Colnan leaves an enduring legacy through the many students she has inspired, challenged and encouraged to find their own voices. Her passion for literature, writing and learning has been a defining part of countless students’ IGS experience, and we thank her for her remarkable contribution to the school and for the care, creativity and intellectual curiosity she has brought to her teaching. At the showcase, the students spoke eloquently about the powerful impact Ms Colnan has had on them both as their Principal since they were in Kindergarten and their English teacher, they thanked her for her dedication, presented her with beautiful flowers and wrote poetry for her, inspired by a speech she gave a number of years ago about John Singer Sargent’s painting Carnation Lily Lily Rose. It was a fitting farewell for Ms Colnan after 40 years in the classroom and twelve as Principal at IGS. 

We congratulate Alexandra O, Annika S, Brayden T, Brooke V, Connor R, Ellie B-K, Gretel D, Jess F, Kai H, Luca C, Luella P, Margot M, Mollie W, Nyla K-C, Oliver M, Orla O’R, Toby C and Zoe A on their significant achievement in completing their extraordinary major works. 

We commend the class on their creativity, perseverance and willingness to take their ideas somewhere entirely their own.

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