Languages Faculty News
Lucie Dickens, Academic Dean of Languages
Participating in the Moomba Parade - Japanese Club Victoria
Peter Overton, Year 10 Japanese
Last Monday, I was fortunate enough to take part in the Moomba parade, representing the Japanese Club of Victoria (JCV). I arrived at 8.15am to meet with the group, which comprised of Kilvington students, students from other schools and other organisations.
It was great to meet new people and get to better know other Kilvington students as well as our Japanese exchange students, Aki and Kentoro from our partner school Todoroki High School in Tokyo.
The parade started at 10.45am and included displays from different cultural groups and dance troupes as well as floats and the king and queen of Moomba. The JCV’s display comprised of drummers, dancers and, of course, the Mikoshi (Japanese portable shrine), which we paraded down Linlithgow Ave to the Shrine of Remembrance.
The carrying of the Mikoshi is a traditional Japanese ceremony that transports a deity from one shrine to another shrine. Eric Yi (Year 11) and I carried the JCV banner at the front of the JCV display.
The many participants were dressed in bright colours and magnificent costumes. We dressed in red Happi coats, the traditional costumes for these parades. During the parade, the streets were lined with people. The atmosphere was amazing. It had such an exciting feel and we had such a great time.
I want to thank Naoko Saito, our Japanese language assistant, for inviting us to participate in this exciting event. I also want to thank my Japanese teacher, Aiko Sano, for telling me about this amazing opportunity. Given my interest in Japanese culture, I was very pleased to be able to volunteer as part of the JCV.
Education Perfect World Languages Championship results
Congratulations to the 433 Kilvington students who participated in the 2023 Education Perfect Languages Championship and who answered a combined total of 163,254 questions in French/Japanese over seven days! What a great effort from Kilvington students!
Kilvington Grammar School ranked 3rd for French and 5th for Japanese in Victoria for our category (250 - 500 users). We received 16 awards: one elite, three emerald, three gold, four bronze and five credit. Congratulations to the students below:
| Student | Year Level | Award | |
| Anna | Zolotareva | Year 10 French | Elite |
| Lavanya | Subbarayalu | Year 10 French | Emerald |
| Kian | Ptok | Year 7 French | Emerald |
| Oscar | Le | Year 8 French | Emerald |
| Jasmine | Ptok | Year 10 French | Gold |
| Caleb | Mendez | Year 10 French | Gold |
| Ashley | Braganza | Year 9 French | Gold |
| Lucas | Zhang | Year 8 French | Bronze |
| Cassie | Yeo | Year 7 French | Bronze |
| Simon | Huang | Year 9 French | Bronze |
| Joseph | Nazaretian | Year 8 Japanese | Bronze |
| Oliver | Gray | Year 7 Japanese | Credit |
| Akshayini Pritam | Wadhwani | Year 7 French | Credit |
| Nash | Quinn | Year 7 French | Credit |
| Harrison | Campbell | Year 7 French | Credit |
| Declan | Crawford | Year 8 Japanese | Credit |
Years 10 and 11 French excursion to the French Film Festival
As part of The French Film Festival, students in Years 10 and 11 saw a great movie at the Kino on Tuesday 14 March. For any families wanting to see a French movie, the festival is on until April. Some of the movies we recommend are 'Belle et Sebastien', 'Tenor', 'Driving Madeleine', 'On the Wandering Paths', 'Sugar and Stars' and, of course, 'Ride Above!'
Here is Year 10 student Anna Zolotareva's reflection on the movie:
On Tuesday 14 March, the Year 10 and 11 French classes got the opportunity to watch a French movie in the city as part of the 2023 Melbourne French Film Festival.
The film was called 'Ride Above' and it followed the story of a young woman who overcame a tragic accident to follow her dream of horse riding. It was a heart-warming film which focused on perseverance in order to achieve your goals.
Not only was it an enjoyable movie, but it also helped us develop our comprehension skills. The movie was in French with English subtitles which enabled us to try and understand the French while still being able to follow the plot. Overall, it was an amazing experience and everyone had a lot of fun.
French Cooking Corner: Year 9 French cooking sessions – round 2!
This week, students learnt how to make a delicious dessert from France, Le Flan Pâtissier! Why not try making it at home? Here is the recipe in French and in English!
Global Connections Japanese school visit
As part of our Global Connections Program, we are pleased to resume our hosting partnership with Hiroshima Jogakuin Junior High School in collaboration with the AIIU (Australian Institute of International Understanding).
Hiroshima Jogakuin is one of our three partner schools in Japan, and our relationship dates back to 2002 with regular visits between our schools. We are expecting up to 20 students aged 15 to 17 from their school to visit us from 30 July to 12 August (weeks 3 and 4 of Term 3) this year.
The students will attend Kilvington during the day and we are seeking expressions of interest from families willing to host a student during the exchange period. The experience of hosting a 15 to 17-year-old Japanese student would be an enriching and exciting experience for our Kilvington families and one I hope you will consider.
Please access the flyer below for further information. Expressions of interest can be sent by email to AIIU National Program Manager, Melissa Di Pasquale (melissa@aiiu.com.au). For further information, please call AIIU Group Coordinator, Joy Dickinson, on 9576 7500.