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Although Shakespeare’s plays are no longer a compulsory requirement in schools, they are still widely studied. Hawes is a passionate supporter of Shakespeare and her classroom is adorned with his quotes and posters of his plays. It would “theoretically” be possible for a student to complete their secondary education without reading any Shakespeare, she said, as teachers selected books or plays depending on the class. “The teachers choose text that they believe their students will respond best to.” At Christchurch s Hornby High School, students have studied
A Midsummer Night s Dream,
Macbeth,
Twelfth Night.
Riccarton High School English teacher Tania Hawes says Shakespeare remains relevant.