Languages

Polo Liceale Statale Mattioli-Vasto Italian Exchange 

It was our pleasure to host our sister school once again for three weeks, from 29 August-17 September. Their experience was unbelievable and we received the warmest thank you from their students, parents and the Italian school community for our love, care and great opportunities we offered the 24 students and two staff.

Not only was this a cultural and linguistic exchange, but most of all, it was life changing for many of our host students in Year 10 and Year 11, as well as for the Italian Exchange students. The human connection is by far the most rewarding. The tears flowed as we waved good-bye to our friends.

Vasto and Perth are sister cities, and as part of their stay, the group was invited by the Vasto Club for dinner and to Council House to meet with the Mayor of City of Perth.

A big thank you to all the host families who opened their homes and hearts to our guests. It was the most positive and enriching experience for all.  Thank you to the many members of our College, who welcomed the exchange students into their classes. In particular, I want to thank these staff who gave their time and expertise to ensure that the Italian Exchange group experienced our wonderful College: Ms Alison O’Connor for the Australian History Lesson; Mr Robert Deurloo for accompanying them to their surfing lesson and showing them how to make boomerangs; Ms Louise Hoy for her boomerang design lesson; Ms Mindy Toleman for cooking the Anzac cookies and explaining their origin; Ms De Pinto and the primary staff for welcoming the students into their Art, Drama and Japanese classes; Ms Desa Lucas for her Italian classes; Ms Shane Glass for her support and taking my Homeroom whilst I was with the Italian Group and Ms Glen James for her assistance in coordinating the programme.

A huge thank you goes to the talented and generous Ms Lyn Alexander who, whilst on leave, organised and accompanied the group up North to Monkey Mia and Kalbarri for five days. Our guests could not speak highly enough of both the experience and Ms Alexander.

We look forward to meeting up with Polo Liceale Statale Mattioli-Vasto friends and families in December 2018 on the Study Tour to Italy.

Carmelina Grassi

Italian Exchange Co-ordinator