Languages Highlights

Lucie Dickens, Academic Dean of Languages

Farwell to Madame Mullins!

As Madame Mullins is leaving Kilvington this week, we are sad but extremely proud of her achievement in being selected as the recipient of the French Teacher of the Year Award in Victoria for 2024 by the Federation of Association of French Teachers in Australia.

We thank Madame for the outstanding French Junior program she has built over the last few years at Kilvington, her creative cultural projects, the wonderful displays around the School, and her innovative pedagogy and teaching ideas. We wish her all the best as she starts her new adventure in Darwin! 

French staff and students reflect from St Joseph La Salle

Visitors from our partner school, St Joseph La Salle, recently stayed with Kilvington host families for almost three weeks. The following reflections and gratitude message serve as a reminder of the incredible benefits of such global experiences.

Gudny Hauvette and Stéphanie Jauriberry, staff

Now that we are settled back home in Toulouse, we wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks for your warm and generous hospitality towards our students. They were wonderfully cared for and had the opportunity to experience life in Australia, which has proven to be an enriching experience. They have grown as individuals, learned about a different way of living and discovered more about themselves. You have made this journey possible.

These weeks have been incredible, and your role in this experience has been invaluable. The French parents expressed their gratitude when we arrived Wednesday night, feeling secure and confident in your care. 

We hope that lasting bonds have been formed and that this exchange program has fostered a deeper understanding between our two cultures. We also hope it has sparked curiosity for further exploration of each other's languages and cultures. Thank you once again for everything.

St Joseph La Salle student reflections:

'The school here is very different from France, which is why all the classes are really interesting. I think my favourite part was the mentor and assembly; they aren't really classes, but I liked them because we don't have anything like that in France. It was pretty fun.'

'The whole school was very welcoming, and we felt accepted not only by the students but also by the teachers and staff.'

'I felt very comfortable with my host family, and they were so kind to me. Thanks to them, I discovered Australian culture and Australian food, like Vegemite.'

'It was the first time for me to travel to another country without my parents. I think I became more independent with this experience. Before arriving in Melbourne, I thought I wouldn't be able to speak English with my host family. I learned so much during this experience, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.'

'This experience taught me more about myself and helped me to figure out what I want to do with my future. It also made me want to travel more.'