Lord of the Flies Experience

David Luschwitz, Head Teacher of English reading Lord of the Flies to Bourke High Year 10 around the fire. Photo Beverley Callow

Bourke High School

Story and photo by Beverley Callow

Published in 1954, ‘The Lord of the Flies’ recounts the story of a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash during a war.

With no adults present, they attempt to organise themselves into a hierarchy, but their society gradually breaks down into fear, violence, and chaos.

Lord of the Flies has been taught in schools for approximately 70 years; the author William Golding was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983.

Last week Bourke High School Head Teacher of English, David Luschwitz took Year 10 students to May’s Bend at North Bourke to help make the story more relevant.

He said because of the unique feeling of isolation at the river, it was an environment where the story could feel more alive.

“I was sitting in the classroom and I just thought, “I’m going to take them somewhere to experience this,” Mr Lushwitz said.  “To give them a richer experience than just sitting there in the classroom reading the novel.”

He said the students responded with curiosity.

“I think it’s unusual for them, but the fact that they’re here is testament. They’re very interested. They’re curious.”

The day’s events began with students collecting wood and building a fire themselves, much as the boys in Lord of the Flies had done. […]

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