LANGUAGES

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GERMAN HERITAGE TOUR 2018

On Thursday 6 September, Year 11 German students had an early start at the airport. Students and teachers met at 7am to be checked in and the plane soon took off for a 50 minute flight to Adelaide.

The aim of this tour is to introduce students to the early German settlement in South Australia and the contributions Germans have made in Australia. They also learnt about the reason for their arrival – German Lutherans were religiously persecuted in the 19th century and had to flee from Prussia and Silesia.

We were picked up by a charter bus and our driver Alan took us first to Hahndorf where students had to explore the town with a treasure hunt. A tour through the Hahndorf Academy gave students more insight into this first German settlement in SA. After an enjoyable, traditional lunch in the German Arms Hotel, a visit to “The Cedars” introduced students to the famous German-born artist Hans Heysen, who is well-known for his paintings of gumtrees.

Later in the afternoon we made our way to Tanunda, where students were accommodated in groups in cabins. Dinner and free time to enjoy the footy game allowed everyone to relax after a full day´s program.

The second day started in Chateau Yaldara, a winery founded by a German, Hermann Thumm. Students learned about the process of winemaking and the changes introduced by the Germans in Australian wine production. A visit to the Lobethal Archives had interesting antique artefacts to offer and the Herbig Tree and Friedensberg School in Springton gave students an insight in living conditions and schooling in the early days of settlement. The visit to the oldest ‘9 pin bowling’ track in the southern Hemisphere challenged students in one of the oldest social sports.

Our last stop in Adelaide was the Maritime Museum on Saturday morning, where students could experience the journey to Australia in ship cabins dating from the 19th to the 20th century. The tour guide talked about the hardship immigrants experienced on this long and dangerous journey, of which many did not survive.

After a short break for lunch in the Adelaide Rundle Mall, we had to return to Melbourne. I would like to congratulate all students on their exemplary behaviour throughout this tour and thank Mr Nutting for enriching our tour with his profound knowledge about Germans in Australia.

YEAR 9 STUDENTS EXPLORING NEW CALEDONIA

After a long day in transport and transit, the group already checked into the hotel. The flight was fairly smooth and the group arrived in Noumea at 5:45pm. The coming days will be filled with classes at the language school and excursions to the local sights.

We wish all Year 9 French students and the accompanying teachers Ms Antal, Ms Dickson and Mr King an enjoyable experience in New Caledonia.

Andrea Fowler

Head of Languages

FLAMENCO WORKSHOP

On Friday 24 August, the Year 9 Spanish class got to watch and learn a few flamenco dance moves. They were introduced to the dance instructor, Maria from Cordoba, Spain. Maria let a couple of students try on a traditional dress that flamenco dancers wear in Spain. She then did a small performance, an Alegria, which was amazing.

Afterwards the class had an opportunity to get up and dance. At first, the students’ timing and rhythm were really insecure, but once they got into it they got a lot better. Overall, it was a really fun experience and it was great to learn a little bit more about the Spanish culture through a different form.

Maria-Carmen Jimenez Victoria

Spanish Teacher

NAOMI KRICHELI: 'HONOURABLE MENTION FROM THE JURY'

As written about in earlier newsletters, we have seen incredible success in this year's "Berthe Mouchette" French Poetry competition co-ordinated by the Alliance Francaise de Melbourne. After receiving 'Perfect' scores, 16 of our Year 9 students and 15 Year 10 students were invited to take part in the next round of presentations on the Sunday 29 July in St Kilda.

From that round of 'finalists', Naomi Kricheli who recited "On Ira" by Zaz, was acknowledged with a "Mentions spéciales du jury" known as an Honourable Mention. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement, Naomi.  She will be presented with her certificate at the awards ceremony on Wednesday 14 November at the St Kilda Town Hall.

Félicitations Naomi!

Ms Ludmila Antal

French Teacher