Host families Italy 2020

Earlier this year, members of our school community travelled to Italy and enjoyed the beauty that Italy and the Italians had to offer. The cities we visited were spectacular, and we were shown some truly beautiful sites. The students had an opportunity to experience a new culture and learn some

authentic Italian. We spent a considerable amount of time in Senigallia, in the Marche region, with our sister school at the Istituto Istruzione Superiore Panzini. We were also welcomed by other schools in the partnership in Cingoli and Loreto. These schools specialize in tourism and hospitality.

Next year, we too will welcome some staff and students from Senigallia for a return visit during the final two weeks of Term 1 2020. The first group of Italian students and teachers arrived in Melbourne in 2010 and next year this tradition continues. Whilst the program of the Italian visit is yet to be finalized, we need to organize host families for the Italian students. We are expecting to host up to 25 Italian students.

There is considerable benefit for students studying VCE Italian in hosting an Italian exchange student for a short time. One of the VCE requirements, the Oral Examination, can be practiced with a native speaker and the VCE students’ language skills can be greatly enhanced by the experience. Whilst the experience benefits VCE language learners, it is not limited to VCE Italian students but open to all students of

the College community. Moreover, hosting one of our Italian sister school students has proven to be a wonderful experience for families that can provide host families with an extended family in Italy. Many families from past hosting experiences have travelled to Italy to stay with families and have developed ongoing friendships.

I write to you to ask that you consider hosting a student from our Italian sister school during this time, as experienced by our students in Italy in April 2019. Host families would need to provide appropriate sleeping accommodation, meals and a weekend program. At all other times, activities would be

organized for the group of Italian students. Italian students will attend school with their host brother / sister and the CRC students would be invited to attend some of the activities with

the Italian group.

Hosting an Italian student can benefit the entire family as well as be an investment in the oral language skills for those studying Italian in VCE. We invite you to consider this unique and beneficial investment in your family and your child’s education. If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Vince Iannuzzi at the College during school hours on 9361 0000.