College Life

2025 French Exchange Program: A Journey of Language, Culture and Connection 

In the final week of Term 3, 12 enthusiastic Year 10 and 11 students embarked on a three-week French Exchange adventure, immersing themselves in the language and culture of Nice and Paris. 

For two weeks our students were warmly welcomed into host families in Nice, where they experienced daily life first hand and attended classes at our sister school, the Lycée d’Estienne d’Orves. Sharing routines with their host siblings and exploring the stunning surroundings of the Côte d’Azur offered a deep and authentic glimpse into the charm of southern France. 

On 4 October after heartfelt farewells to their host families, the group boarded a five-hour TGV service to Paris. That evening they cruised on the Seine, marvelling at the glittering Eiffel Tower from the water, a magical introduction to the City of Light. 

The Paris leg of the exchange was filled with iconic sights, bustling metro rides and culinary adventures, including tasting escargots and indulging in delicate macarons. Each experience enriched their understanding of French history, culture and daily life. 

As the tour came to a close, students reflected on their growth—not only in linguistic skills, but also in cultural awareness and the lifelong friendships they had formed. It was a journey that will stay with them for years to come. 

“I had the incredible opportunity to go on the 2025 French Exchange Trip. This experience allowed me to immerse myself in French culture and connect with new people. The first two weeks in Nice were amazing. I got to see what school life in France was like, experience daily life with my host family, and bond with my host sister by going shopping, spending time at the beach, and watching movies together. In Paris, I loved visiting famous landmarks and learning about the history. I also really enjoyed getting to know everyone, meeting new students and forming bonds with them” 

Naisha Nababsing Stephan (Year 10) 

“The French exchange trip gave me skills and an experience I would never have gotten otherwise. Living with a host family improved my French, especially in terms of casual conversations and getting more confident with speaking on the spot, which was nerve wracking at first. Adapting to a completely different lifestyle, I was able to try new food, meet new people and discover another culture. The trip encouraged development of independence, because for the first time I had to be entirely responsible for myself. However, because everyone in the group was in the same situation, we also found ourselves looking out for each other. The group I went with was supportive and I was really grateful to have them with me”.

Ella Walden (Year 11) 

“Our French exchange has been one of the most special experiences of our lives. Every single moment of this tour was genuinely incredible—from late-night dinners chatting in French with our host families to tasting delicious food like Socca chips and exploring breathtaking places. Visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris with our French friends felt like a dream come true. We laughed, learned and grew so much through this adventure. It’s FRANCE — you simply can’t miss it!" 

Muskan and Roshini Yasir (Year 11) 

Mrs Pamela Chu Yu Chee 

Head of Languages 

Year 11 Psychology Students Explore the Mind at UWA 

On Monday 14 October, the Year 11 Psychology students spent the day immersed in the world of psychology during an excursion to The University of Western Australia (UWA). Hosted by Associate Professors Nic Badcock and Donna Bayliss, the program offered students a valuable insight into the diverse fields and real-world applications of psychological science. 

Over the day, students took part in a series of seminars, workshops and panel discussions covering topics such as brain activity, attention, memory and university study pathways. 

Among the fascinating findings students explored were: 

• Visual field bias: We tend to remember simple information, such as short names on a badge, when presented on the left side of our visual field — a phenomenon that may also explain why footballers are more likely to miss goals to the right and why people are more prone to bump into objects on their right side. 
• EEG technology: How electroencephalography (EEG) can be used to study and understand patterns of brain activity and arousal. 
• Smartphone distraction: Data collection revealed a negative relationship between smartphone distraction and attention, yet a positive link between smartphone use and multitasking ability. 
• University life: Students gained insight into undergraduate study, including choosing electives, understanding minors and majors, and the support available to university students. 
• Neural rewiring: Using prism goggles that inverted their visual field, students experienced a simulation of what it might be like to retrain the brain after a stroke. 

Many students described the excursion as a highlight of their Psychology studies this year, appreciating the opportunity to learn in a university setting and engage directly with experts in the field. 

Mr James Pengelley 

Science Teacher