Indonesian

The Indonesian program at Berwick College has expanded in 2025, with all year 7 and 8 students now studying Indonesian twice a week. This year, we are excited to welcome two new teachers, Bu Mundy and Bu Graham, who join Bu Manolitsa, returning to teaching this year, and Bu Smith. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the Indonesian program.

In Term 1, students explored the rich and diverse culture of Indonesia, gaining insight into its geography, wildlife, cuisine, arts, music, sports, and significant cultural sites and festivals. Year 7 students also had the exciting opportunity to learn the traditional Saman dance and engage in Indonesian arts, providing a dynamic and interactive way to experience Indonesian culture firsthand. Meanwhile, year 8 students had the chance to try jackfruit, a popular tropical fruit in Indonesia, as part of their exploration of Indonesian cuisine.

Looking ahead to Term 2, both year 7 and 8 students will begin their journey into the Indonesian language. The focus will be on the unit ‘Identitas Saya’ (My Identity), where students will learn to introduce and describe themselves in Indonesian. To support their learning, all students will need their Saling Silang 1 textbook and activity book. If they do not have these resources, they should contact their teacher as soon as possible.

In other exciting news, Berwick College has been accepted into the ASEAN-Australia BRIDGE program! We are thrilled to announce our partnership with ESTV Ailue in Timor-Leste. This collaboration will provide students with a unique opportunity to connect with peers in Timor-Leste and gain a deeper understanding of the region. More information will be shared in the coming term.

We look forward to another fantastic term of learning and cultural exploration in Indonesian!

Renae Smith

Languages Leader