Languages Corner

7C Excursion to NGV 

At the end of term 2, the Year 7 French immersion students went on an excursion to the National Gallery of Victoria. They explored the French artworks and had the opportunity to do a tour focused on ancient history with an educator from the gallery. Students were very engaged and had a great time discovering the artworks of the gallery while making connections with what they are learning in class.  

9C Berthe Mouchette Competition 

The Year 9 French immersion students participated in the written exam of the Berthe Mouchette Competition. The Berthe Mouchette Competition is organised by Alliance Francaise de Melbourne and is open to French students across Victoria. It consists of a listening, a reading and a grammar task. Congratulations to all 9C students and particularly to Jasper, Anara, Oli, Kashvi, Lev and Lucas who achieved outstanding results and received an ‘éloges du jury’.  Felicitations à tous! 

Bastille Day Celebrations 

In the first week of term 3, GEC celebrated Bastille Day. In French classes students learned about the events of the French Revolution and the significance of Bastille Day for French people. The Crepes for Change Truck was back at school. Students were able to buy delicious crepes while also supporting the amazing work of Crepes for Change in fighting homelessness.  

Celine Fompudie

Languages Learning Area Leader

Francophonie Video Competition

Congratulations to Nathael Garoscio, Zoe Manoury and Rose Woodger for winning 3rd Prize in the Francophonie à travers le monde video competition organised by the Association of French Teachers of Victoria and Forum de la Francophonie. The students attended a prize giving ceremony held at the French Consulate on Tuesday 25th July. Félicitaions!

Loveena Narayanen

Assistant Principal

French Model United Nations Excursion

On Friday 21st July I had the privilege of accompanying a select group of Year 10 and 11 French students to participate in the annual French Model United Nations at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership in North Melbourne. Students prepared speeches entirely in French, representing their countries of Greece, the Seychelles and the USA. I felt an incredible sense of pride at the way our students carried themselves and participated in UN proceedings.

Congratulations to Saskia de Bruin, Margot Yao-Leclerc, Elizabeth Waters, Pierre Alla Munikihaafata, Imogen Matthews, Khai Tschuemperlin, Kyran Lok, Emma Blair and Charlotte White. 

We welcome participation next year for both the French and English speaking Model United Nations.

During the model UN, it was up to students to converse, argue and debate with each other to create a resolution regarding climate action, creating, editing and removing amendments. My favourite part of this experience was listening to and taking part in the agreement to amendments and changes. I also enjoyed speaking to other students in French. This experience will help in the future because I have gained confidence in speaking to others in French.

Elizabeth Waters, Year 11

The French Model UN involved us representing different countries that are a part of the real United Nations. Myself and two other students were from America and had to write a speech to debate about what to do to help the environment. I learnt about how the UN worked and also improved my spoken French. My favourite part of the Model UN was the debating as you were able to express the opinion of your country and debate it with other countries. This will help me later as it will increase my knowledge on the environment and make my French stronger.

Kyran Lok, Year 11

The Model UN involved us and other schools representing different countries and debating over the issue of climate change to hopefully come to an agreement on how to stop it. I was representing the US and I really enjoyed putting myself into the “American” mindset and doing all in my power to keep my country’s best interest at heart. Additionally we refused most amendments by waving our panel and flag very obnoxiously which seemed to amuse some people and debated against the other countries which was very fun. I also really enjoyed making friends with the other schools. Despite nearly accidentally declaring war on Canada, we made really good friends with the guys representing them and also with the people representing Morocco, Argentina and France. All in all the model UN was a great experience and I learnt a lot about how the UN functions and how to debate in a formal manner.

Charlotte White, Year 10

Daniel Bouchet-Hibbert

Teaching and Learning Leader