Blueback in Year 6

This term, Year 6 has been reading Tim Winton’s Blueback, a story about a young boy named Abel who lives in Longboat Bay. His father was killed by a tiger shark when Abel was young. When out fishing for some abalone with his mother, Abel encounters a massive blue groper he named Blueback and promises from then on to protect this beautiful fish. Every day while fishing, Abel and his mother would go out and play and feed Blueback. The story examines many fascinating themes and one of the key take-aways is the relationship between Abel and Blueback. As they both grow older, many things around them change, but Abel will do anything to protect Blueback and the bay from danger.

The girls in 6A have been busy drafting some poetry that explores this pivotal relationship between Abel and Blueback. A few examples of their writing are below:

Tiffany Anderson
Year 6 Teacher

The young boy dives below into the rippling shiny surface Enclosing him from another world A burst of colour enters his view as the boy swims with the mischievous blue Their connection is indescribable Lively, entertaining, full of wonder   But in the deep, the secrets of the water need to be uncovered A drive never sensed before Daydreaming off to a place where the gluttonous blue playfully swims Trying harder and harder to keep the serene waters safe Fighting, knowing all good things come to those who are patient   Growing stronger and stronger just like their bond Moving away knowing everything will change Their precious time together becomes more and more distant But they will always reconnect, like they never left Their connection is unimaginable Exciting, protective, wild and fun.  Rachel

The devoted, amorous environmentalist, and the vigorous, effervescent blue cobalt groper form a bond that will never break   The flamboyant breeze swaying in the unrestrained tree tops, the crystal clear, unconfined ocean with glorious sandhills, and the stroky, sweeping glance of radiant gushes   Abel and Blueback, one devoted, solicitous and the other coruscating  and ventripotent   The strong vines in the alluring zephyr,  just like pristine beaches. Swaying, swirling, sneaking, snatching and strangling, Blueback and Abel are quite the characters   Elizabeth

In the depths of vibrant blue, where sunlight fades, Abel swims with Blue Back through the glades. Their bond, a dance of trust and care, In a world so vast, they are a pair. Majestic and graceful, Blueback glides, A gentle giant in the ocean’s tides. Abel, brave and curious, always near, Together they conquer, without fear.   Their hearts beat in harmony, a rhythmic song, In the marine world, where they belong. A connection pure, deep as the sea, Abel and Blueback, wild and free.   Mia

In the cold clear water under the blazing sun there lies mysteries that haven’t been solved One a big blue gluttonous groper the other a small diligent boy Blueback was as frisky as a little puppy  Abel was as poise as a peacock    Swirling and twirling  in the significant sea depths diving and climbing, swimming and grinning both delighted by each other’s company    all the birds were singing a perfect pitched melody as animals went grazing in the shiny green grass marine animals gracefully floating around in the clean, thrilling water    Under the azureous blue sea  the coral was blooming like fireworks on new years the environment was pristine  the trees as tall as towers the prepossessing flowers were everywhere   ‘woosh’  the waves crash against the soft sand it brings them both memories of how it all started    Hannah