XUSHS English Department

𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 & 𝑴𝑰𝑳 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝘀 𝑺𝒀 2025-2026

Grounded in planning and strengthened by collaboration, the English and MIL Department gathered for its 4th and 5th meetings to align academic timelines, assessment requirements, research initiatives, and upcoming departmental events. These shared conversations reflect our continued commitment to purposeful instruction, collective growth, and meaningful learning experiences for our students.

𝓜𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓵𝔂 𝓛𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓸: 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐨

Our featured word this month is chiaroscuro (noun), originally a visual art term and now widely used in theatre and film. It refers to the dramatic use of light and shadow to create mood, depth, or emotional emphasis in a scene. It shows how contrast can shape atmosphere and guide the audience’s focus in storytelling.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: The director’s use of chiaroscuro in the final scene bathed the villain in shadows, amplifying the tension and mystery of his monologue.

💡 Your turn!
How would you use chiaroscuro in a sentence? Share your example in the comments and let’s enrich our vocabulary together.

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒅 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 & 𝑴𝑰𝑳 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒀 2025-2026

The English and MIL Department held its 3rd meeting to discuss important updates and plans, including grade submission reminders, student engagement projects, and upcoming academic activities. The session also featured a reflective segment through the Ignatian Spiritual Circle and concluded with reminders on key deadlines and department events for the following month.

𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕-𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒅𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒔, 1𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒎 𝑺𝒀 25-26

The XUSHS ENGLISH & MIL DEPARTMENT teachers, during the Parent-Teacher Conference for Midterms, 1st Sem SY 2025-2026, connecting with parents in true Xavier Ateneo SHS spirit to support our students’ journey and growth.

𝓜𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓵𝔂 𝓛𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓸: 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐞-𝐞𝐧-𝐬𝐜è𝐧𝐞 (𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧)

Our featured word this month is mise-en-scène (noun), which refers to the arrangement of visual elements within a scene to create meaning. It highlights how setting, background, and atmosphere all contribute to storytelling.

Example: The play staged for the English Days celebration impressed the audience with its well-crafted mise-en-scène.

💡 Your turn!
How would you use mise-en-scène in a sentence? Share your example in the comments and let’s enrich our vocabulary together.

To our ever-dedicated Research Coordinator — Happy Birthday, Ma’am Raya! 🥳

To a true fashion icon, full of humor, and a remarkably dynamic teacher— Happy Birthday, Sir Shawy!🥳

To our ever-stylish, vibrant, and super supportive Student Activities Lead Coordinator— Happy Birthday, Ma’am Jessa!🥳

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙖𝙮 𝙁𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡, 𝘾𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙚 𝙊𝙧𝙤!

Today, we honor St. Augustine and celebrate the Kagay-anon spirit of friendship, faith, and joy.

Viva Senior San Agustin!

“Our liberty will not be secured at the sword’s point… We must secure it by making ourselves worthy of it.” — José Rizal, El Filibusterismo

Pause your scroll for a sec… think about the 𝒷𝒶𝓎𝒶𝓃𝒾 who made our freedom possible. Today, on we honor their bravery and the sacrifices they made for us. Let’s keep their courage alive in how we live and act every day.

As we commemorate , we are reminded of his powerful words:

"I have carefully weighed all the virtues and faults of the Filipinos, and I have come to the conclusion that the 𝓕𝓲𝓵𝓲𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓸 𝓲𝓼 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱 𝓭𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻."

Let this conviction inspire us to live with love for our people, choosing hope, courage, and service for a better Philippines.

𝓜𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓵𝔂 𝓛𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓸: 𝙄𝙉𝘾𝘼𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙎𝘾𝙀𝙉𝙏 (𝙖𝙙𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚)

This month’s featured word captures both light and brilliance, perfect for describing moments, people, or ideas that truly shine.

Meaning: Emitting light as a result of being heated; glowing with passion or brilliance.
Example: Her incandescent smile lit up the entire room.

💡 Your turn!
How would you use “incandescent” in your own sentence? Share your example in the comments. Let us continue to enrich our vocabulary one word at a time.