Term 2 Language Updates

Can you believe we are already in June? This means we are very close to half way through 2026! It has been a busy and exciting term for our Language students, with plenty of learning, cultural experiences and opportunities to practise their language skills.

One of the highlights of the term has been welcoming Emely Brill, our German Language Assistant, to Ballarat High School. Emely has already had a hugely positive impact across our German classes. She meets weekly with our Year 12 students to help them develop their spoken German as they prepare for their oral examinations later this year. She has also shared some of the culinary delights of her home region, the Saarland, with our Year 9 students and has been helping our Year 7s learn about everyday life in a German school.

The Year 7s have been particularly fascinated to learn that many German schools have no school uniform, place greater restrictions on homework and often finish at lunchtime. As a result, we currently have quite a few students contemplating a move to Germany!

Of course, cultural exchange goes both ways. We have been introducing Emely to some Australian favourites, including vegemite and lamingtons. Let's just say one of those was received a little more enthusiastically than the other! Check out the photos in this newsletter to see Emely sampling some iconic Australian treats.

Our Year 9–12 German students recently attended the German Film Festival at the historic Ballarat Palace Cinema. Students enjoyed watching a German-language film with English subtitles while experiencing one of Ballarat's most beautiful heritage venues. The excursion provided a wonderful opportunity to engage with authentic language and culture outside the classroom and Emely joined us for the outing, making it an even more authentic German experience.

Looking ahead, preparations are already underway for our much-loved German Café, which will take place in Term 3. Students will once again have the opportunity to sample traditional German foods, including hot, oven-baked pretzels. Lecker!

A reminder regarding Education Perfect: the payment portal remains open for any families who have not yet completed the 2026 Languages booklist payment. Please contact Charlotte Ross-Harris if you have any questions or concerns.

Congratulations to all Year 7 and 8 students who continue to complete their weekly Education Perfect homework. Consistent practice really does make a difference. As we often remind students, language learning is much like learning a musical instrument—little and often is the key.  If you don't use it, you lose it!

Special congratulations goes to our current Education Perfect leaders: Sofia Petropoulos, Noah Lloyd, Mathilda Mischewski, Ashley Prentice, Brooke Johnston, Ruben Evans, Haider Sadar, Zul Qarnayan, Aiana Santowrelli, Japteschveer Biring and Saira Santhosh. These students have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their language learning through their consistent effort and practice. Well done on leading the way for Languages at BHS!

We would also like to recognise our top-performing classes across the school. Currently, 7I leads the way with almost 46,000 questions answered in Japanese, followed closely by 7K, 7F and 7E. What an incredible achievement! Students who consistently complete their language practice earn house points, positive Compass entries and a visit to the Languages prize jar.

Finally, a particular shout-out to our Year 7 students. For many of you, this is your first experience learning German or Japanese. Just a few months ago, most students could not introduce themselves in another language. Now you are writing paragraphs, describing yourselves, talking about your interests and communicating in German and Japanese. The progress you have made is remarkable and the Languages team is incredibly proud of you and your efforts.

素晴らしい仕事を続けてください。Macht weiter so! 

Charlotte Ross-Harris

Language Faculty Head