German Café – A Taste of Culture, Fun, and Language Learning!

Peacock Hall was transformed into a little slice of Germany on the 7th August as our annual German Café returned in full colour and energy. With German flags, Lederhosen, Dirndls, music, and plenty of decorations, the space became a festive, welcoming hub where students could practise their German while enjoying food, games, and cultural activities.

The café isn’t just about sausages and pretzels (though we had plenty of both!). It’s about creating an authentic environment where students of all year levels can practise real-life German conversations in a fun, supportive setting. Introducing themselves and ordering food, in German—turns language from a textbook subject into something alive!

Food, Fun, and Festivities

Special thanks go to Jake, Bourne, and Azara (and Frau Bjelanovic) for sizzling up a storm on the grill, to Tilly, Emily, Josh, Piper and everyone who helped man the ovens, and to Amelia, Heidi, Abbey and Sienna for keeping everyone refreshed with drinks and cake. Eloise, Zillah, Ariana, Sarah, Matilda, Piers, Teo, Oscar and Ava helped with everything from Sauerkraut to Schokokussen and we would have been lost without them.  The smell of fresh pretzels from Michael at Bretzel.Biz filled the room—this year’s new cinnamon pretzels were a runaway hit!

The Year 9 German students ran the show with finesse. They not only set up and packed down but also served all day, guided the younger students, and brought such warmth and friendliness to the café. They modelled exactly what student leadership looks like, and we’re so proud of them.

Games, Prizes, and Lots of Laughter

The “Bretzeljagt” Treasure Hunt had students racing to piece together German words, while others tested their guessing skills with the Gummi Bear challenge. Congratulations to our prize-winners:

• Alicia (7D) – winner of the German colouring competition
• Noah & Mark (9A) – closest guess for “How many gummi bears in the bag” Year 9
• Sam (7B) & Dom (7J)– Year 7 Gummi Bear champions

• Cooper (8D), William (8H), Nate (8H) – winners of the Gummi Bear challenge for year 8 

   

All our winners each take home a bag of Haribo made in Germany!

A Community Effort

We are deeply grateful to the staff who brought classes, gave up teaching time, and supported us by buying a pretzel (and even trying out their German at the counter!). Special shout-outs to Dani Belanovich, Brent Nixon, Steph Bramble, Aaron Bonnell-Huy, Simon Marcollo, Julie Pickering and Jamie Greenwood for their support, and to all staff who joined in the fun.

The German Café truly shows how powerful a single event can be to spark joy, build confidence, and make language learning practical, memorable, and fun.

A huge Danke Schön to everyone who joined in—see you next year!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Frau Charlotte Ross-Harris

Head of Faculty - Languages