Languages News
Lucie Dickens, Academic Dean of Languages
Berthe Mouchette Competition
Holly Krischock, Year 6
As part of the Berthe Mouchette competition, students were given the opportunity to choose between two French poems. This year's poetry theme was the Olympics. I was honoured to not only be a finalist, but to come 2nd in my year level.
On 26 November, I attended an event where I was presented with a medal and a French-themed gift. I'd like to thank Madame Neale for being at the event to support me and for Madame Mullins for teaching me this poem and past poems.
Meeting Holocaust survivor Esther Wise
Simon Huang, 2025 Languages Leader for French, Year 10
On 26 November, students embarking on Year 11 French studies had the remarkable privilege of meeting Esther Wise, a survivor of the Holocaust. After familiarising ourselves in Semester 2 with Esther’s inspirational story of hope and courage, it was a deeply meaningful experience to meet her in person.
Moving to France at a young age, Esther’s life and that of her Jewish family changed dramatically during World War II. Some compassionate individuals hid Esther and other Jewish children in a convent. Esther safely moved to Australia after the war, but tragically, the war separated her from her family.
The intimate Q & A session with Esther provided us with the invaluable opportunity to ask her questions in French and test our French listening skills, furthering our understanding of the struggles and losses she endured due to the war and widespread anti-Semitism.
Henry Duncan, 2025 Humanities Leader, Year 10
In French this term, we learned a lot about Holocaust survivor Esther Wise and World War II in France. I was grateful to meet with her in real life and to ask questions about her life. I was especially curious to learn about her time in the convent during the war.
She gave detailed descriptions of her life there, such as waking up early for confession and helping in the kitchen and with the little children. I also learned that she hasn’t returned to France since the end of the war, but she has stayed in contact with her niece in France.
Overall, it was an incredible experience. I also gained a deeper understanding of the war in France, which complemented what I had learnt in my Year 10 Humanities subject, Rise of Nazism.