LANGUAGES

YEAR 7 LEARNERS OF FRENCH AND GERMAN VISIT ORMOND PRIMARY

On Monday 4 December, 35 McKinnon Year 7 students spent the morning at Ormond Primary. They prepared a short lesson with activities to teach Grade 6 students some basic French and German. Students from 7A and 7C introduced themselves in German and taught the students some basic greetings. They also learnt how to count to 10 in German. Similarly, students from 7J and 7M took a similar approach in French, including a song about 'dix petites fleurs'.

McKinnon students offered advice to the Grade 6 students about the experience of learning a language at secondary school. It was a very positive exchange, which was enjoyed by both groups of students. The McKinnon Year 7s were excellent role models and represented their school proudly. Thank you to Mrs Jenny De Kretser for organising the visit.

David Nutting and Kellie Dickson

Year 7 Languages Teachers

FRENCH EXCHANGE STUDENTS ARRIVE IN FRANCE

After a year of preparation, our fourteen students finally boarded the plane for France. Accompanied by Mme Ludmila Antal and M Daniel Casey, the students wore their custom 'hoodies' for the long journey to Nice, via Dubai. Mme Antal commented on their perfect behaviour during the voyage.

They arrived exhausted but excited to reconnect with their French Exchange partners and meet their families. There was a lot of joy and excitement in the airport for the beginning of a wonderful four weeks. They will return on Monday 8 January. Thank you to Mme Antal and M Casey for travelling with the group, including two weeks of their own holidays.

Kellie Dickson

French Teacher

A FINAL TREAT FOR YEAR 7 GERMAN STUDENTS

On Monday 11 December, Rowan Classen who had displayed his skills in a TV ad for snack food, came to visit McKinnon Secondary College and demonstrated his traditional German dancing skills for our Year 7 German students. The traditional ‘Schuhplattler’ is a traditional style of folk dance popular in the Alpine regions of Bavaria and Tyrol. The performers stomp, clap and strike the soles of their shoes (Schuhe), thighs and knees with their hands held flat (platt). There are more than 150 basic Schuhplattlers and the first record goes back to 1030 AD.

Observing was the easy part of this program, but when Rowan put out the challenge to our Year 7s on the day to see if they could keep up with him, Year 7s were faced with some challenges mastering the ‘Schuhplattler’. Rowan built up their abilities step by step and soon students were stamping their feet, clapping in the rhythm and slapping their thighs. Lots of red hands and laughing faces were proof that this was an enjoyable activity at the end of their first year of learning German.

Thank you to Frau Paal for organising this annual event for our Year 7 German students.