MCC Student Exchange Program

Interview with Michelle Coric - Year 11

Where are you from and tell me about your school back home?

I’m from Trentino, a small region in the northern part of Italy, confining Germany.

Back in Italy I attend the scientific High School in my town where I have 12 compulsory subjects to study like all sciences, maths, physics, latin, philosophy, (…). I go to school from Monday to Saturday, starting at 7:55 and finishing either at 12:20 or 13:10. My school is quite big and has approximately 700 students from year 8 to 12. School in Italy is very different from the Australian school. Back home I don't choose my subjects but only the type of high school and then I already have a ‘set timetable’ with the subjects I'll study for the next 5 years.

What has been the biggest challenge since moving to Griffith?

The biggest challenge since moving to Griffith has been probably adapting to a new climate/ environment and in general setting up in a new place on the opposite side of the world. But I have to say that I feel really lucky because I've been able to feel like home pretty quickly, thanks to my host family and friends that I made at school.

What is the main difference in learning between your Country and Australia?

As mentioned before there are lots of differences but the main one is probably the fact of choosing a subject. As I said, in Italy I can’t choose the exact subjects I want to study and focus on; that becomes really challenging especially from year 10 when all topics get more difficult and complex.

What do you like most about MCC?

The positive environment and the people (including friends and teachers).

What is your favourite subject?

Even though I enjoy all the subjects I chose, my favourite one here at MCC is probably physics. I like it because we get the chance to have lots of pracs in the lab and the topics are interesting.

What do you like most about Griffith?

The friendly community.

What is your Favourite Restaurant?

My favourite restaurant here is probably La scala. Italian food is pretty good and the restaurant is welcoming.

What advice can you give other students wanting to take on the adventure of being an exchange student?

Choosing to be an exchange student is surely not an easy decision because it takes determination and willingness. The biggest advice that I can give is probably to always be open to new environments, new places, new cultures, new experiences and to try and adapt the best you can by meeting new people/ trying to make new friends. It could seem difficult, and it is, but there’s always going to be someone that will accept you, welcome you and, most of all, help you. I was lucky and I found those amazing people here at mcc and in my host family obviously. Take the risk and live this ‘once in a lifetime’ experience that will make you grow.

Michelle Coric

Year 11

Interview with Lea Pretesch - Year 10

Where are you from and tell me about your school back home?

I’m from Luxembourg,a small country , which borders Belgium, France and Germany. It only has 600 000 people living there.

I’m in high school.In July I finished my year 10 (In Luxembourg we call it 4eme). My school is in Esch-sur Alzette, the second largest city in Luxembourg. It’s called Lycee(means high school/college)Hubert Clement Esch and it is a lycee classic that means the school prepares you for university. In Luxembourg we also have Lycee techniques that means the school will prepare you for a job after your graduation.

Every morning I take the bus at 7:10 AM to school. I need about 15 minutes to get there. School starts at 8:05 AM, then we have 2 lessons of 50min. At 9:45 AM we have a 15 min break. Then we have either 2 lessons until 11:45 and then lunch until 12:35 and then 2 lessons again until 2:15 PM or we have 3 lessons until 12:35 and then lunch until 1:25 PM and then one lesson until school finishes at 2:15 PM. Rightnow are school holidays until September.

We have 7 years of highschool and count them backwards, that means year 7 in Australia would be still called year 7 in Luxembourg but year 8 would be called year 6 in Luxembourg.

In school we learn French, German, Luxembourgish( just in year 10) and English (at year 8). Until year 11 the subjects are Mathematics, French, German, English,Chemistry, Physics, Biology, History, Geography, Arts, Sport, Music, VieSo(Life and Society).

In year 11 we get to choose a section. For example section B would be everything that has to do with Mathematics and Physics or section A would be languages, that means your principal subjects would be French, German, English and Spanish, Italian or Russian. You will still have the other subjects but you won’t get specialised and prepared for University on them. When I go back, I will go to section D. Section D is everything that has to do with economics.

What has been the biggest challenge since moving to Griffith?

I think the biggest challenge would have been the language barrier, but everyday it gets easier.

What is the main difference in learning between your Country and Australia?

There are many differences:

A school year is divided into 3 terms and during each term we have to do at least 2 exams in the principal subjects (year 7- 10: Maths, English,German, French) and at least 1 exam each term in the other subjects. Sometimes we have at least 3 exams a week.
Each exam is out of 60. If your average on one subject of the year is below 30, you have to do a re-exam at the end of summer holidays or you can compensate if your average of all the subjects is above 36. If you fail your re exam, you failed your year and you have to redo it.
When we get our exams back we need to correct them on a separate paper and sign them and then bring them back to school. The school keeps them because our exams are official papers.
In year 11 we don’t get to choose subjects but we have to choose a section.
Our lessons are more like lectures. For example in Biology we have to write from a powerpoint and underline in our books at the same time we have to listen to what the teacher says and take notes.
We use IPads and Apple Pencils in school to write everything down but some teachers prefer that we use a notebook.
We always stay with the same people in class and most of the time we also stay in the same classroom.
For each subject we have a different teacher.We have a different teacher in Chemistry then in Physics and a different teacher in Physics then in Biology.
We are allowed to have our phones at school.
We don’t have school uniforms.
It is also unusual to bring our own lunch to school. We have one big canteen and two Cafeterias in my school where we can buy something with our student card for breakfast, 15 min break or lunch. However a lot of people get something outside of the school,such as kebab, pizza or Chinese food for example.
Another thing that is different in my school is that we don’t leave our bags outside of the classroom, we need to bring them inside.

What do you like most about MCC?

The thing that I like most about MCC are my friends, especially Laine Hayllar who is my tour guide around school and tells me every detail about every person. The teachers are also really nice and much more personal and open than the teachers in my school. In my school between the teachers and students it is much more formal. I also really like that you can choose different subjects.

What is your favourite subject?

My favourite subject would probably be PASS or PDHPE.

What do you like most about Griffith?

I most like about Griffith , the friendly people and my awesome family the Della Francas. I like that everyone knows everyone. I also like that you go watch your friends play netball and footy at the weekends and spend the rest of the day with them.

What is your Favourite Restaurant?

I really like Italian food so my favourite Restaurant would be La Scala and Giuseppe’s, but I also really like the food we eat at home for dinner.

What advice can you give other students wanting to take on the adventure of being an exchange student?

So an advice that I can give to other students wanting to do an exchange would be to enjoy their time because it goes so fast, spend the most time possible with your friends and family and to be open to learn new things.

Lea Pretesch

Year 10

UNIFORM SHOP INFORMATION

The Uniform Shop will be closed on Monday 11 September only. It will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Brenda Carroll

Uniform Shop

Roving Counsellor - Sarah

Dear Marian Catholic College Parents/Carers and Community,

My name is Sarah and I am the roving counsellor working across all 5 secondary colleges within the Wagga Wagga Diocese. Part of my role is to facilitate groups with students to develop skills, enhance connection, foster positive school engagement and promote well-being. Some of the programs currently being implemented are leadership, friendship groups, zones of regulation and well-being warriors. These programs develop skills such as communication, conflict resolution, critical thinking, resilience building and equipping students with useful lifelong tools. Looking forward to working within the Marian school community.

Sarah Sinclair

Roving College/School Counsellor

Canteen News

The canteen is in need of some volunteers.

So if you can help out, please contact jenny Riley on 69692410

It is a great way to meet new people and your kids love seeing you there!

VEGE BURERS NOW AVAILABLE

Also the canteen is now selling VEGE BURGERS for $4.50 available to order daily.

Inclusive Education News

Teacher Aide Appreciation Week 28 August - 1 September