In the Know

Languages and Global Connections 

Lucie Dickens, Academic Dean of Languages

Year 5 French bakery incursion

Mrs Mackenzie Neale, Years 5 and 6 French teacher 

 

Year 5 students recently enjoyed a savoury journey through the flavours of France during their French bakery incursion. 

The students had the opportunity to not only practise their language skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural nuances of the French bakery experience. 

 

They eagerly embraced the chance to put their speaking skills to the test, and each interaction became a mini-adventure which was rewarded with a sweet treat, much to the students' enjoyment. 

This incursion served as a reminder that language learning need not be confined to traditional paper-and-pencil drills, but flourishes through real experiences where curiosity, respect and cultural appreciation intertwine. 

 

Here are some student reflections on this experience: 

 

Lili Metz, Year 5 French 

On Wednesday 13 March, we held a very special event - the opening of La Boulangerie Kilvington, the Kilvington bakery!

Year 5s had the chance to choose two items each from the bakery and had to order our delicious food in French. My favourite part was the joy of ordering and, of course, eating the food! 

 

I would like to say a big thank you to Madame Mullins and Madame Neale for organising this special event. 

 

Elsie Cleeland, Year 5 French

Recently, we had a French bakery experience. It is where Year 5s had to order pastries (donuts, croissants, etc) in French and pay for it with fake money. 

We prepared for this experience by setting up a table and putting decorations on it. I personally enjoyed how the experience felt like I was in an actual French bakery.  I also really enjoyed the food. 

Year 12 French Film Festival excursion 

The Year 12 French class recently went to Palace Como cinema to watch the movie The Snow Must Go On as part of their Unit 3 coursework. 

This comedy is a joyous coming-of-age film about finding meaning in life at any stage. 

 

Year 12s will use this movie to prepare for their upcoming oral assessment task. 

Bon voyage to our Todoroki Senior High School students

It's time to say goodbye to Ririka and Yurika from Todoroki Senior High School as they finish up their last day on Thursday 27 March. 

Thank you to all students and staff who made them feel welcome, and a huge thank you to the wonderful host families who hosted them with such care and generosity. 

Both students had a great time with us this term. Yurika won best 16-year-old female swimmer at the House Swimming Carnival, and both of them cooked wonderful meals as part of their Unit 1 Food Studies with Mrs Donna O’Callaghan. 

 

We thank Ririka and Yurika for their support in our Japanese classes and their kindness in helping younger students. We wish them a safe return to Japan and all the best with their studies at Todoroki High School.

The following reflections are about their time in Australia:

 

Yurika Imai, Year 11 

Thank you to the School for giving me the opportunity to attend classes during Term 1, and a special thanks to my friends and teachers for helping me and making my stay in Melbourne so comfortable. 

 

Everyone was friendly at School, and I really envied the way students seemed to enjoy school life. I found many cultural differences between Japan and Australia, such as families enjoying their weekend by doing a lot of activities. I now think this is one of the most precious memories of my life. 

 

As I will be in Year 11 in Japan from April, I decided to start my Year 11 studies here. This has given me insight into how busy my new school year will be and how much hard work it will require; but I am inspired by my Australian friends who are keeping up with their studies.  

 

I wish you all good luck and hope you had a fun time with me this term.

 

Ririka Mastuda

The time I spent at Kilvington was so amazing. It was difficult to join classes in which English was spoken, but I could still have a lot of good experiences. 

 

For example, in English classes I thought about my identity, in Art classes I discovered beautiful artworks, and in Health and Human Development classes I learnt about the health problems of teenagers. From taking part in these classes, I feel my English writing skills have improved a lot. 

 

While staying in Australia, I also learnt a lot about culture, not only ones of Australia but also ones of other countries. There are many people who have different backgrounds in Australia. I believe that is one of the reasons why I was able to adapt to Australia so easily. 

 

I was impressed with how Kilvington also treasures diversity and how I could join some events which celebrate diversity and inclusion, such as the International Women’s Day breakfast and Harmony Day. 

 

In terms of classes, I was surprised about the variety of language classes we can choose at Kilvington. In my Food Studies classes, I cooked a range of foods from around the world. My favourite dish was the Turkish Delight.  

 

Fortunately, I had wonderful experiences outside of Kilvington as well. Even going to a normal grocery store was new and exciting for me! I was also excited to find that there were a lot of Japanese restaurants in Australia, and many enjoyable places to visit such as the State Library, the Bentleigh Festival, Scienceworks, and so on.

 

I want to say thanks to my host family, friends, teachers … everyone was so lovely. You should all be very proud of attending such a good school!

Bon voyage to Kilvington students embarking on an exciting adventure to France!

The following Years 10 and 11 French students will soon depart to participate in a 25-day tour to France with Kilvington staff from Wednesday 27 March to Saturday 20 April. 

  • Angelina Zhang
  • Linda Zhu
  • Sophie Reese
  • Max Jenkinson
  • Max Dillon-Shallard
  • Henry Duncan
  • Sunny Zhu
  • Nick Chan
  • Ethan Russell
  • Luke Jin
  • Liam Fernandes

The group will attend classes at our partner school St Joseph La Salle in Toulouse, spend the Easter holidays with host families, and end the Tour with four days in Paris. We wish the group Bonne Chance et Bon Voyage!