Languages update

The new school year has started with a lot of exciting events happening in the Languages Domain. Please read on for a few highlights...

New Year Performance in Chinese Classes Class

Article by Ivy H (10G) 

On 9th of February, our Year 10 Chinese Advanced class held a class performance to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Lunar New Year is the time for family gatherings and symbolizes a fresh beginning and good fortune, with a history of around 3500 years. It is a much-loved festival, deeply connecting to the roots of Chinese culture.  

Laughs being heard frequently from across the room, jaw-dropping amazement everywhere, all performances were incredibly engaging, capturing the audience’s attention within a millisecond! We certainly had some superb shows; from instrumental skills on the flute and recorder, to popular trendy dances, to singing songs, to humorous role-plays, all the students did an exceptional job!   

Overall, everyone created many memorable moments and had a wonderful time participating in this event! We all wish you a Happy Dragon Year! 

PASCH Scholarship

Alyssa of Year 10 has been awarded a coveted PASCH Scholarship! This means she will be flying to Germany at the end of June to participate in an all-expenses-paid language program for three weeks.

This year’s course is held in St. Peter-Ording, located on the North Sea Coast (see the beautiful photos below).

 Approximately 1.5 hours from Hamburg, the area is home to the Wattenmeer National Park and beautiful scenery.   Alyssa is one of just a handful of students from all over the globe who have been selected as scholarship recipients, and Alyssa will work with them to collectively improve their German in-country. The surrounding area offers many opportunities for day trips to nearby cities and towns, and will no doubt be an incredible experience.  

Box Hill High School is one of only four PASCH schools in Australia, enabling our students to participate in experiences such as these. PASCH stands for ‘Partner Schulen’ (partner schools) and is a network of approximately 1800 German-learning schools across the world.  

 Congratulations, Alyssa!   

Harmony Week 

Languages teachers supported by the Wellbeing Team, Prefects and Vocational Major students organised numerous activities to celebrate Harmony Week between 18 and 22 March.  By participating in Harmony Week, Box Hill High School recognises and celebrates the cultural diversity of students and staff at our school. 

Across the week, students and staff participated in class as well as lunch time activities including:  

• Kahoots on cultural knowledge  
• German & Chinese board games  
• Tongue Twisters 
• Calligraphy 
• Cake and Pretzel Stalls.  

BJR Exchange Program

We are thrilled to welcome Tobias and Nic to Box Hill High School as a part of the BJR Exchange Program!   Year 10 students Nic and Tobias have been attending BHHS since early February, living with a host family, and taking in all aspects of high school life in Australia.  

They have been assisting Herr Smith in the German classroom, producing sample texts for students, and helping them with their spoken German in preparation for speaking assessments.  

Test out your German below, and listen to or read their descriptions of their family lives in Germany!  

Tobias:

Nic:

Keep an eye out in upcoming newsletter for an account of their experiences of living in Australia! If you are interested in hosting a BJR student or applying for the program, speak with either Frau Bruns or Herr Smith.   

Articles submitted by the Languages Team