Languages Learning Area Snapshot

Kaya!

Welcome to our Term 2 edition of Hello from the Languages Learning Area! 

Well done to the students and language teachers on getting through what is always an extremely busy term. I would like to especially thank our French teacher, Briana Rasmussen, who taught Year 7 to 10 French this semester. She has been a wonderful addition to the team and fits in ‘like a glove.’ We hope that Briana enjoyed her time in the Language Learning Area, and we are all delighted that she will continue to teach at Applecross SHS next semester in other areas.

On Wednesday 25 June, Mr Coret (Teacher in Charge French and Exchange Coordinator) and I were excited to hold an information evening on the 2026 French Exchange Program. It is a wonderful opportunity for students currently in Years 9 and Year 10 studying French to participate in this successful exchange program with our long-standing sister school Lycée Sainte-Famille in Amiens, France. Preparations for the exchange started behind the scenes a few months ago, but we are only just at the point where we can formally advertise this to students. Please see details below:

About the Exchange

Students will:

• Travel to France: Leave Perth on Friday 27 March and arrive in Perth on Tuesday 14 April 2026. Students will miss four school days in the last week of Term 1 (Week 9), returning during the second week of the school holidays)
• Host a French student in Perth: Around 14 days in October 2026

This is a direct exchange, so families who wish to participate in the program must be willing to host the same French student who hosted our student in return. Students will stay with a host family in Amiens for two weeks, attend school with their host, and participate in cultural excursions. Staff will be roomed close by to ensure they have access to visit the students at short notice. 

The trip concludes with a 3-night stay in Paris after the homestay, including a day at Disneyland. Students will be staying in rooms shared with a student of the same gender.

The program is led by Mr Mael Coret (Teacher in Charge of French) and Mrs Kennington (VET Manager and Head of Languages).

Benefits

This long-standing partnership offers students:

• Real-life language practice
• Deep and authentic cultural immersion
• New friendships and unforgettable memories

Requirements for Hosting

• The main caregiver must hold a Working With Children Check (we can assist with this)
• A separate bedroom must be provided for the French student during their stay in October
• Be willing to show their French visitor around their school and their city

Key Details

• Eligibility: Current Year 9 and 10 French students
• Cost Estimate: $6,500 - Includes flights, accommodation, excursions, Paris stay, some meals, museum entries, and supervision (surplus funds will be returned equally to families)
• Travel insurance for students: Insurance for students will not be arranged through the travel agent and will be arranged by the Department of Education, who will provide the relevant information to parents/caregivers
• Not included: Mobile phone with roaming for the entirety of the trip (mandatory), gift for the French family, and personal spending money
• Passport: Must be valid at least 6 months beyond 14 April 2026 (Visa not required for Australian passports; we will advise for other nationalities)

We are seeking 20 enthusiastic French Language students who are eager to experience French culture, practice their French, and host a visitor in return. If the number of applications exceeds this limit, a selection process may be implemented.

An exchange program such as this one can be a life changing journey for students in a full cultural immersion – students will discover the art, fashion, cuisine, architecture, warmth and hospitality of the Amiens people.

Languages Week will be taking place in Week 4 next term, so look out for the exciting events to take place during that week.

I will be on Long Service Leave in Croatia and Italy (practising my Italian!) for the first three weeks of Term 3, but I know that I leave you in the capable hands of the Language team during this time. 

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. 

Mrs Melinda Kennington,  HoLA Languages

こんにちは  Kon'nichiwa! 

Japanese

This term has been a busy time for assessments and reporting processes, and students have performed quite well overall. Well done to all students.

The Japanese department welcomed Mr Tetsu Ihara from Ashiya, Japan. Mr Ihara will be with us for 12 months as the Hyogo Prefecture Exchange Teacher. Mr Ihara will assist students with their Japanese language journey in all year levels. He will run the Japan Club and assist students with their speaking practice. 

Mr Ihara has been teaching English for 20 years. Currently, he works at a Senior High School. His favourite Japanese foods are Ramen, curry, rice, and Takoyaki. His hobbies are motorcycles, biking, soccer, movies, and music. While in Australia, he would also like to travel around the country, in addition to teaching.

Some students have been assisting in folding 1000 paper cranes for our display in Week 3 of Term 3, which coincides with Languages week. Thanks to those students who helped fold the origami cranes. It means good luck will come your way.  

Year 7 students recently completed a speaking assessment, which required them to introduce themselves and three other family members. The videos were excellent, ranging from Minecraft to animations and the usual talking to camera style.

They have also learned how to input Japanese characters onto their devices for future projects and assessments. A culminating task for this activity is to introduce a friend by creating a digital profile.   (PIC)

Year 8 students have been studying about school and club life in Japan. Students are aware of the subjects Japanese students study, as well as school provided lunches and a range of club activities in which they can participate after school.

Students produced an article introducing our school to Japanese students prior to their visit to Applecross.  (PIC)

Year 9 students learned about how to discuss various milestones in their lives. A video was produced introducing them and what they have achieved so far. Earlier in the term, students participated in a Japanese activity called ‘suikawari’, where students are blindfolded and directed towards a watermelon, attempting to break it in half. It is an activity occurring in the Summer.

Senior students worked hard to prepare for semester exams.  Year 12 Japanese students visited Tansawa Japanese restaurant for dinner to celebrate the end of the semester. Students enjoyed authentic Japanese cuisine while also practising their speaking skills.

(PICS)

Mr Craig Murray, Teacher in Charge – Japanese

Bonjour!

French

French Language students have been having a lot of fun both in and outside of their classes during Term 3.

French Club

 The popular French Club ran at lunchtime on Wednesdays this term by French teachers and our language assistant, Manon. Lower school students of French who participated had fun playing various typical French card and board games while enjoying French snacks, such as brioche and chocolate crêpes.

Activities in class

Year 7 students of French have learnt about animals this term and played games such as Animal Battleships and the French game called Le Beret, where students reinforce their vocabulary while battling against another team over a French hat. They also enjoyed making and eating traditional crêpes bretonnes in class at the end of the term!

Year 8 students learnt about the French school system, and they now know how to tell the time in French too. They played school subject battleships and le béret! To celebrate the end of the semester, they also had hot chocolate and traditional French madeleines in class!

Year 9 students have created wonderful posters about the weather and are currently working on a project (TV show) about clothing items or weather forecasts. They must be creative and use vocabulary learnt during the semester. Hot chocolate and traditional French biscuits have also been enjoyed in class!

Year 10 students have learnt about relationships and daily routine, and have   

learnt how to talk about past events. They worked hard to prepare for their first formal French examination and are now working on a project about the French association Les Restos du Coeur.

Year 11 and Year 12 Leading a healthy lifestyle poster

Students worked hard this term to prepare for their French examination. They improved their French speaking skills with our French assistants and worked in groups to create posters on various themes. They also discovered more about French music and enjoyed hot chocolate in class a few times while participating in collaborative activities, such as jigsaws and running dictations.

Monsieur Mael Coret, Teacher in Charge – French.