German Exchange Program

German Exchange Program – October 2025 

On October 8, two staff members and 22 students from our sister school in Germany, IGS Kaufungen, arrived at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport after a long 30-hour journey from Germany to Melbourne via Istanbul and Singapore. 14 students were hosted by Vermont Secondary College students, while eight were hosted by Mullauna College Year 9 students. 

On their first day, school staff and the two visiting German teachers took the exchange students on an excursion to Healesville Sanctuary, which was a perfect way to help them recover from jet lag. On Friday, October 10, the German students were officially welcomed at both Mullauna and Vermont Secondary Colleges with a welcome BBQ.

Throughout the following three weeks, the German students attended classes with their host students, including the Year 9 Skillz program. Some were fortunate enough to join their hosts on an excursion to a city radio station. The visiting teachers also organised several excursions for their students, including multiple city trips and a visit to Chadstone Shopping Centre — the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. Highlights of the city excursions included visits to the MCG, the Royal Botanic Gardens, a Yarra River cruise, the Melbourne Museum and the Eureka Skydeck. 

In the second week of the visit, all exchange students, their hosts, host families, and school staff attended a buffet dinner held at Vermont Secondary College. It was wonderful to share a range of dishes prepared by each family, which represented the diverse cultures of both schools’ communities. 

A major highlight for the German exchange students was a day trip to Smiths Beach on Phillip Island, where they took part in a surfing lesson with the Island Surf School. All students thoroughly enjoyed the day, with many managing to stand up on their boards by the end of the session. 

On Wednesday, October 29, our Mullauna hosted all 22 exchange students and their teachers for an “All at Mullauna” day. Ms Brush led an Australian-themed art class, where students learnt about Indigenous symbols and created their own boomerangs to take home as souvenirs. The Mitcham Bowls Club hosted the exchange students and their hosts for an introductory bowls session, with Marlie Malcolm and her sister, former Mullauna student, Elodie, kindly assisting in teaching the game. Later that day, Wild Action Zoo visited the college, giving the students the opportunity to learn about Australian reptiles, birds, amphibians, and marsupials. 

Although the visit was brief, it was clear at the airport on October 31 that many students were sad to say goodbye to their German partners. We are already looking forward to reuniting in March 2026, when Mullauna and Vermont students will travel to Germany for four weeks.

A sincere thank you to every Mullauna staff member who supported this exchange by running or assisting with an activity or welcoming students into their classes. Thank you also to the various Mullauna families who welcomed these students and provided them with a home for their visit. Our German sister school students and their teachers had an unforgettable experience that will stay with them for life. 

Laura Durham 

Head of German