International | Languages

Taiwan Study Tour

Taiwanese Study Tour – Two Weeks of Cultural Exchange and Friendship

Our school recently welcomed a group of students from Taiwan for a two-week Study Tour, providing a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange, language learning and friendship between our visiting students and the school community.

Throughout their stay, the Taiwanese students experienced Australian school life through a range of cultural immersion and educational activities. A highlight of the program was their integration into regular classes alongside their student buddies, giving them the opportunity to experience an Australian classroom, interact with local students and develop their confidence in using English in authentic situations.

The students also participated in dedicated English language classes designed to further develop their communication skills and understanding of Australian culture. Beyond the classroom, the program included a variety of engaging activities and incursions, including drumming and cooking lessons, which provided opportunities to learn, collaborate and communicate in a fun and practical environment.

Importantly, the cultural exchange went both ways. Our Taiwanese visitors prepared and delivered presentations about Taiwanese culture to their buddies, sharing aspects of their daily lives, traditions, food, school experiences and culture. This gave our students an opportunity to learn more about Taiwan while encouraging meaningful conversations and connections between the two groups.

Over the two weeks, students developed new friendships, strengthened their intercultural understanding and gained greater confidence communicating across languages and cultures. The Study Tour was a valuable reminder that international education is not only about visiting another country, but also about learning from one another and building connections across cultures.

We thank our visiting Taiwanese students and teachers, our student buddies, staff and everyone involved in making the Study Tour such a memorable and rewarding experience.

Jissen Girls’ High School Study Tour 

Building Connections Through Cultural Exchange

Our school was delighted to welcome students from Jissen Girls’ High School in Japan for a Study Tour filled with learning, cultural experiences and opportunities to connect with our school community.

Throughout their stay, the Jissen students participated in integrated classroom sessions with their student buddies, experiencing Australian school life firsthand and using English in authentic situations. These sessions gave students the opportunity to interact with their Australian peers, experience different subjects and teaching styles, and develop friendships through shared learning.

A key feature of the program was a series of English lessons tailored to the students’ requested areas of interest. Through these lessons, students explored topics such as Australian culture and lifestyle, the role of women in Australian society, diversity and contemporary Australian life. Students were encouraged to ask questions, exchange perspectives and make comparisons between life in Australia and Japan while developing their English communication skills.

Learning also extended beyond the classroom through a range of engaging incursions and cultural activities. Students participated in a hands-on drumming workshop and an Australian wildlife presentation, where they had the opportunity to learn more about Australia's unique native animals and environment.

Cultural exchange was very much a two-way experience. As a special gesture, the Jissen students performed a song for our students, sharing a little of their own culture and creating a memorable moment for everyone involved. Together with the everyday conversations, classroom activities and time spent with buddies, experiences like this helped students learn from one another and build genuine connections across cultures.

The Jissen Girls’ High School Study Tour was a wonderful opportunity to bring international learning into our school community, developing language skills, intercultural understanding, global awareness and new friendships.

We thank the students and staff from Jissen Girls’ High School, our student buddies, teachers and everyone who contributed to making their visit such a rewarding and memorable experience.

Year 7 German Students Shine at LTQ Speech Contest

Three of our Year 7 German students, Liliana Harris, Liam Baxter and Adyant Singh, recently participated in the Language Teachers’ Association of Queensland (LTQ) Speech Contest, an annual event that provides language students from across Queensland with an opportunity to showcase their language skills and confidence through prepared speeches.

Representing our school in the Year 7 German division, Liliana, Liam and Adyant delivered their speeches entirely in German. In their presentations, they introduced themselves and spoke about a range of familiar topics, including their families, hobbies, interests, school life and everyday activities. This gave them an opportunity to put the German they have been learning in the classroom into practice in an authentic setting.

We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of all three students, who were each awarded a Bronze Award for their performances. Their results reflect the effort and preparation they put into developing and practising their speeches, as well as their willingness to challenge themselves by communicating in German in front of an audience.

Participating in the LTAQ Speech Contest is a valuable opportunity for students to extend their classroom learning while developing their German pronunciation, fluency, communication skills and confidence.

Herzlichen Glückwunsch (congratulations) to Liliana, Liam and Adyant on their achievements and for proudly representing our school!

Year 7 German Immersion Students Win 

Goethe-Institut Meme Competition

Our Year 7 German Immersion students recently participated in a German meme competition organised by the Goethe-Institut, using their German language skills, humour and creativity to create their own original memes.

We are excited to announce that our students won the competition! As part of their prize, they will enjoy a special breakfast to celebrate their achievement.

The competition was a fun and engaging way for students to use German beyond the classroom and explore language and culture in a creative way.

Herzlichen Glückwunsch to our Year 7 German Immersion students

Year 9 Chinese: Exploring Language and Culture in Sunnybank

Our Year 9 Chinese students recently took their learning beyond the classroom with an excursion to Sunnybank, one of Brisbane’s most vibrant Chinese cultural and community hubs.

Students participated in a treasure hunt, exploring local shops, restaurants and community spaces to identify Chinese characters, words and cultural features in an authentic setting. They also had opportunities to communicate with members of the Chinese-speaking community, putting their language skills into practice in real-life situations.

The excursion also introduced students to the history of Chinese migration and the influence of Chinese culture in Australia and around the world. Students explored how migration has helped shape communities, food, language and cultural traditions beyond China.

These experiences provide an important foundation for topics students will explore further as they transition into Senior Chinese from Year 10, including Chinese-speaking communities, migration, cultural identity and the global influence of Chinese culture.

The excursion was an engaging way for students to connect their classroom learning with the Chinese language and culture that can be seen and experienced in their own local community.

2026 MLTAQ Brisbane Speech Competition

Our Year 7 and 8 German students recently took part in the Brisbane Language Speech Competition, where students from different schools present a prepared speech in front of a jury and receive feedback on their fluency, accuracy of speech and ability to converse with the judges.

Taking part requires students to overcome their nerves, step outside their comfort zones and confidently use their language skills in front of an unfamiliar audience — and, to make the challenge even greater, they do it all on a Sunday morning!

Our students returned with an impressive collection of Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, making their efforts even more worthwhile.

A big congratulations and thank you to Liliana Harris, Peter Thiel, Adyant Ranjan Singh, Cornelius Pretorius and Ellen McAdam for stepping up to the challenge and proudly representing our school.

A special thank you also goes to the parents who got up early on a Sunday morning and drove their offspring to the competition. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Well done to all involved!

Year 8 Chinese: Bringing Language and Culture to Life

Early Term 3, our Year 8 Chinese students recently enjoyed an enriching excursion to Chung Tian Temple, where they had the opportunity to experience Chinese language and culture beyond the classroom through a range of engaging, hands-on activities.

Throughout the day, students participated in Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, meditation and Chinese calligraphy. These activities introduced students to important aspects of Chinese cultural traditions, values and philosophies while encouraging them to actively participate and try new experiences.

The excursion also provided a valuable connection to the Year 8 Chinese curriculum. Students were able to apply and extend their classroom learning by engaging with Chinese language and culture in an authentic context. They explored how cultural practices, traditions and values are expressed in Chinese-speaking communities and developed their intercultural understanding by making connections between their own experiences and those of Chinese culture.

Students particularly enjoyed the opportunity to experience cultural practices firsthand and interact with members of the local Chinese community. To complete the cultural journey, students enjoyed lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, where they sampled a variety of Chinese dishes and had further opportunities to connect their language learning with a real-world setting.

The excursion was a highly engaging and meaningful learning experience, allowing students to connect curriculum learning with authentic cultural experiences and further develop their understanding and appreciation of Chinese language, culture and traditions.