LANGUAGES

END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN YEAR 7 GERMAN CLASSES - WEIHNACHTSFEST

This week, Year 7 German classes were celebrating the first year of learning German with a German Christmas party - Weihnachtsfeier. 

They researched traditions in German speaking countries, made German Christmas cards for a partner, created some decorations with the help of YouTube videos and enjoyed researching and making German cookies, which are baked in every German household. 

All students joined a German Christmas Sing along on the day, handed over the card to the person they had written to and enjoyed the food they brought to class. 

Thank you to all who made a great contribution to this celebration and I wish all Year 7s a good start for Year 8! 

Andrea Fowler

German Teacher

BERTHE MOUCHETTE COMPETITION AWARDS CEREMONY

The Alliance Française Berthe Mouchette poetry competition started in 1894. This year, on Tuesday 28 November, the award ceremony took place at the St Kilda Town Hall. Three McKinnon students were winners at this competition: Ewa Agboton, Gisele Hennequin, and myself (Daniela Tapia-Leal). 91 schools entered this competition, where there were 8,713 participants in all from Year 3 to Year 12 and 1,077 finalists, making it the biggest French poetry recital competition outside of France! Each year, there is a different theme that our poems are based on. This year’s theme was based on ‘Truth’. I recited the poem “Chanson - La Vérité”, which talks about heartbreak and how the speaker would have rather lied to their loved one but nevertheless, they told the truth. 

For me, being a prize winner for the third time has been a huge gift. I am very grateful that I can share my love for French in this competition, and I am so appreciative that I was able to recite my poem for the audience on the day of the award presentation.

Daniela Tapia-Leal 9K

REFLECTION ON VISITING THE 2023 VCE FRENCH STUDENTS

Congratulations to the Year 12 French students for completing their VCE French exam on Wednesday 15 November! 

As an ex-McKinnon student, it was wonderful to be back and to visit Monsieur Chamontin’s Year 12 French class on the Monday leading to the exam. We discussed last minute techniques and advice in preparation for their exam day - from listening tips to getting into the right mindset. Whilst the usual exam nerves lingered in the room, it was inspiring to see such dedicated students, committed to their French studies. 

I have no doubt their years of hard work studying French will pay off in their exams and beyond. Félicitations!

Hannah Nishikubo

2020 MCK Graduate

YEAR 7 FRENCH - WRITING A LETTER

After developing their writing skills throughout the year, the Year 7 French classes demonstrated their abilities to write a letter, including a greeting and sign off, written in paragraphs with complete sentences. In test conditions, they read a letter from “Baptiste” that discussed his preferences at mealtimes and asked questions about their own. They then wrote their replies, answering his questions. 

They described what they like to eat and drink at breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as their general preferences. They then talked about the types of restaurants they like to go to and what they like to order. Some students were also able to offer opinions and justify their choices with interesting reasons. They also considered the text type of a letter and how to interact with the sender.

Being able to construct complete sentences, in cohesive paragraphs after one year of studying the language is quite an achievement. They were provided with a glossary of some key words and used this to help them build their sentences. 

Congratulations to our Year 7s who have made significant progress with their language skills!

ANOTHER NEW LANGUAGES LEADER FOR 2024 AT EAST

Ruby Johnston-Allen has also joined the Language Leaders for 2024 at East campus. It looks like being another great year with planning already underway for activities to be run by the team. We will also be advertising for some leaders from the new Year 8s early in 2024.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

Christmas and Epiphany (the Feast of the Kings) in Spain

Christmas in Spain - WhyChristmas.com 

Epiphany in France

Culture: La Fête des Rois (The Festival of the Kings) - 1st level French - BBC Bitesize

YEAR 7 FRENCH - SHARING FRENCH FOODS

After studying French foods and meals in Term 4, some Year 7 classes chose to experience their learning in an authentic manner - sharing French foods! In small groups, students brought French-inspired foods to share. Some students tested their French cooking skills and impressed their classmates. To add an authentic feel, some groups brought tablecloths, plates and cups all in French colours. One group even built a cake stand for the middle of their table.

A fun way to celebrate the end of term and the first year of their language learning journey at high school.

Jennifer Lynd

Languages Learning Area Manager