Languages 

Benvenuti Year 10s

As Year 10s returned to onsite learning this week, Prof Allen’s class was welcomed back with a makeshift café’ Italian style. Students learned about the significance of “un caffe’” in Italy as well as the different styles and when to drink them as well as when not to drink them!

Did you know?

An espresso or macchiato are classic choices for any hour of the day, but milky coffees such as cappuccino or caffè latte should only be ordered in the morning.

Don’t order a cappuccino after noon…

If you want to “fit in” in Italy, that is. Especially at local cafes that aren’t accustomed to tourists, you might just get a very funny look! Italians have a thing about drinking cappuccino after noon. It just doesn't really happen (some say it’s because the milk and foam make it a replacement for a meal, and all that dairy upsets the digestion). And you’ll certainly never see an Italian ordering a cappuccino after dinner.

Italians always start their morning with a coffee and pastry at their local bar, what we commonly would refer to as a café. Coffee is usually taken standing up at the bar, in part because the amount is often a small shot of espresso which takes less than a minute to drink and also because you pay the normal price this way. Bars tend to double the price of your beverage if you drink your coffee seated at one of the tables at the establishment.

Coffee is a ritual that is enjoyed several times each day: in the morning for a caffeine boost to power your day; after lunch to aid with digestion and avoid post-meal lethargy, and in the afternoon during a pausa caffè, or coffee break.

Luisa Allen

Italian Teacher   

 Farewell to Year 12s

This week has been quite emotional as I said farewell to my Year 12 Chinese language class. During the last ten months, we have developed a very strong bond under difficult circumstances. I am very proud of their achievements and progress during the year. 

Like all teachers, we commenced the year with new students and the intention of developing their skills. At the end of the day, it is still sad to see them leave but I wish them all the very best on the journey ahead into adulthood.

Ning Zhang

Chinese Language Teacher