Status Updates From Beachmasters

Finally I have found a glimmer of good writing but had read almost 50% of the book before I reached this point. The rebellion from the POV from Headmaster Woodful was very good. I did not feel for any of the characters, but finally found an emotional connection with this man. There is a sacrifice he made for the islanders that left me with a sense of something.

First few pages...Hook the reader by hinting at what lies ahead?
No...just a lot of 'triple-speak" (languages pidgin, seaspeak, French/English)
and a 13 yr old boy rummaging around a box of old photos.
Family history is locked in these Kodak moments....but boy, I wish Thea Astley would amaze me with the good writing I know she is capable of.