Languages Day

Hello - Bonjour - Buongiorno - Yaama

The two new words that were displayed in over 10 languages in weeks 7 and 9 were: 

dream & language.

• “Dream” was chosen in connection with the NAIDOC Assembly Week 6, as the Dreaming is part the foundation of the Aboriginal culture.
• “Language” was chosen to celebrate our last ‘poster making’ for the term, and announce our Languages Day.

The library has organised some displays in the many languages of our community. A variety of books can be found to explore and try reading in a different language. The readers might be able to make connections between the different languages.

Languages Day - Tuesday the 13 September

Last Tuesday was McCarthy Languages Day - a day to acknowledge and celebrate our college and community's cultural and linguistic diversity. This day also promotes the learning of languages and values the differences that many of our students bring to our school. 

The day started with a Whole College Assembly where the prayer was read in 18 different languages - the native languages of some of our students and staff. The items were presented by native students in French, Hakka, and Bisaya, and translated into English. Ellie George, former College Captain, then delivered a moving speech on the importance of learning languages, and how it can change your perspective of the world and open up opportunities in relation to career pathways. She spoke in Indonesian and French, the two languages she learnt here at McCarthy, and Arabic and Spanish, the languages she studied at the Australian National University.

The day then continued with:

• A food stall at recess with French and Italian cuisine prepared by some students in Year 7 and 8 French and Italian classes.
• A soccer game was played at lunchtime between our rival French and Italian classes resulting in a 1-1 draw. 

The money raised on the day will be donated to Caritas. Very well done and thank you to everyone involved! It was a successful day.

Mrs Oriane Monet - Teacher