LANGUAGES
IT’S THE VIBE….
A language is so much more than a school subject - it is a way of accessing the cultures of others in a way that isn’t possible when speaking English (or using your phone to translate for you). The ways in which languages organise words, the way they sound, the vocabulary choices, the way they deal with things like time; all of these are a reflection of culture as well as shaping cultures.
There are variations within languages; US English is different from Australian English, even in things such as verb tenses (such as use of the present perfect). Spanish from South America and from Spain, Swiss German and ‘German’ German, Belgian French, Canadian French and ‘French’ French are all distinctive - it’s definitely a vibe, as much as it is grammar, vocabulary and phonetics.
As the Languages KLA Manager, I am proud to be part of a small but dynamic team of teachers and student language leaders who work hard to bring that vibe to our McKinnon students. In particular, I want to draw attention to the impressive array of events, incursions, and excursions that our team organises for our language students.
What follows is a list of what has happened in the Languages KLA already this year and also of what is planned for the remainder of the year and into 2026. More is likely to be added to this amazing list before the end of the year.
Everyone in the team has played an important role in offering these opportunities to our McKinnon students:
Alliance Francaise Ticket for Paris Amazing Race - Years 8 and 9 French
Notre Dame: the augmented exhibition at the Immigration Museum - Years 9,10,11 & 12 French
A hunt through the CBD for businesses related to their languages - Year 9 French & Year 9 German
Visit to a restaurant - Year 9 German
Visit to Roule Galette creperie in Carnegie - Year 9 French
Poetry competition - Year 7 German
Model UNs - Year 12 French & Year 12 German
Berthe Mouchette Competition - Years 7 to 12 French
Education Perfect World Championship - the whole school
NGV Winter Masterpieces: the Impressionists - Years 9, 10, 11 & 12 French
French Teachers Association trivia evening - Years 9 & 10 French
Visits to the Artisanal Bakehouse - Year 12 French
An afternoon at the opera (Samson and Delilah in French) - Years 10, 11 & 12 French students
Yoga workshop with French instructor - Year 12 French
Visit to Caulfield Junior College - Year 12 French
Intergenerational Conversations - VCE German
French, German and Spanish Film Festivals - Years 8 & 9 Spanish, Year 7 German and Years 9, 10, 11 & 12 French
Flamenco workshops - Year 8 Spanish
Visit by Spanish Educational Advisor - Years 8 & 9 Spanish
Djembe (from French-speaking Africa) workshops - Year 8 French
Kummargee Languages competition - all Year 8 language students
Cooking project video competition - Year 8 French
Advertising video competition - Year 9 German
Languages Expo - all Year 9 language students
French exchange (this is dependent on our sister school) - Year 10 French 2026
New Caledonia trip - Year 9 French 2026
German exchange - Year 10 German 2026
Spain tour - Senior Spanish students 2026
Our student language leaders have also stepped up:
Languages Society - pop-up cafe ‘Le Balcon Rouge’ (East) & Just Dance competition (McK Rd)
Languages Society - revival of the Languages Society Instagram account
Languages Society - Cultural Diversity Week trivia competition (East)
Jennifer Lynd
Languages Learning Area Manager
NGV: FRENCH IMPRESSIONISM EXHIBITION
Visible brush strokes, vivid use of colours and lack of detail are the key aspects of French Impressionism; things that the Year 11 and 12 French students had the wonderful opportunity to learn about when we attended the NGV on the 27th of August. This excursion meticulously delved into the world of French culture and art, proving to be an inspiring and enriching experience.
The exhibition covered the era of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism in French art, allowing us to learn about the different artists that pushed the boundaries of what was considered ‘art’ in the late nineteenth-century.
We got to walk through carefully constructed thematic galleries, discovering different artists, and their inspiration and muses. Pieces by Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Manet and Degas were beautifully arranged as we marvelled over the talent exhibited in the 19th and 20th century works.
The gallery was designed after the extravagant houses of American collectors, where the pieces were once on display, as well as spaces enjoyed by the artists themselves. This created an experience like no other; one which we are all glad to have had the chance to witness.
Everyone who participated walked away from the exhibition with a broadened appreciation for art and French culture, and we’re all extremely grateful to Monsieur Chamontin for arranging this excursion.
Amelie Villella and Emma Rhode, Year 12
BERTHE MOUCHETTE COMPETITION: RESULTS ARE IN
Congratulations to our finalists in the Alliance Française de Melbourne’s Berthe Mouchette Competition.
Oral finals: Charlie Robbie(Year 10), Jasmine Rey (Year 10), Gwendolyn Thiere (Year 11), Daniela Tapia Leal (Year 11), Josh Aby Peediakal (Year 12) and Isabella Schneider (Year 11) will compete this weekend (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September).
Written finals: Anya Aquende (Year 12) and Jasmine Rey (Year 10) will also sit their finals this weekend.
We wish all our finalists the very best. Official results will be announced on 8 October.
Cedric Chamontin
French Teacher
AMAZING RACE - TICKET POUR PARIS EXCURSION
Years 8 & 9 French students elected to attend an Amazing Race hosted by the Alliance Francaise, finding different "parisian landmarks" around the CBD and engaging in fun speaking activities in groups.
Later, they enjoyed a French style morning tea and completed tricky escape room puzzles- also in French of course!
Ms Madeleine Rémont
Teacher of French and Spanish
YEAR 9 FRENCH NGV VISIT
On Monday 18 August, the four Year 9 French classes visited the Winter Masterpieces exhibition at the NGV. We were given a talk about the artists and the artworks and then had the very special experience of seeing works by Monet, Manet and Renoir amongst others.
The excursion helped provide them with an insight into what was happening in the Parisian art scene in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Jennifer Lynd
French Teacher
LANGUAGES SOCIETY (EAST CAMPUS) POP-UP CAFE
At lunchtime on Tuesday 3 September, the Languages Society at East campus ran their inaugural Pop-up Cafe. It was great fun, and will definitely be happening again.
Our clients reserved in advance and came along to enjoy freshly-made crepes, waffles and hot chocolates, to the sounds of a specially-selected music track.
The proceeds will be donated to the Language Society's chosen charity, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Jennifer Lynd
Languages Learning Area Manager
YEAR 8 FLAMENCO INCURSION
On Monday 8th of September Year 8 Spanish participated in an incursion facilitated by SENES flamenco.
Students were introduced to this awe-inspiring art form and its origins. They watched a performance with dance and guitar, learned rhythms by clapping and dancing, and tried out traditional props- castanets, fans and shawls.
¡Olé!
Madeleine Rémont
Teacher of French and Spanish