LANGUAGES
MCKINNON STUDENTS WIN BEST STUDENT GERMAN-LANGUAGE FILM
As part of our German course in Year 9 and Year 10, students create German language films that are submitted to the Goethe Institut School Film Festival.
This year the theme was “Germany in 3017”. Our students worked in teams to write, produce and perform their films. Of the sixteen films that were created by our students, two of them were nominated by the Goethe Institut as finalists in the Victorian School Film Festival.
The Festival took place on Thursday 26 October and the Year 10 German classes along with the nominated finalists in Year 9 were invited to attend. The day involved lunch at the Hofbräuhaus in Market Lane followed by the screening of the nominated Films at ACMI in Federation Square.
In the ‘Middle and Senior Years’ category we had two entries from McKinnon. These were played on the big screen and were incredibly well received by the students and dignitaries in attendance.
“Deutschland im 3017”, the film from Stefan Simic, Seth Donovan, Amit Samuni, Jack Mills and Tom Gao, imagined a terrible future, where freedoms and liberties had again been oppressed by an evil dictator. The film was incredibly well produced and had enthusiastic acting performances.
The other nominated film, “Der Wurst Alptraum”, was a Year 9 Student film from Jeffrey Chum, Angel Li, Elle Angelopoulos, Max van Denderen, Jarryd Harris and Travis Chun Yu. Their story was of a vegan Germany where the police enforced an entirely vegan diet. That is until a sausage dealer hijacks the regime. This film was met with roaring laughter from the Honorary Consulate General of Germany, Mr Michael Richard Pearce and was eventually crowned best film at the festival.
The winning students received $300 in prize money and thunderous applause from all of the McKinnon students in attendance. It was also a great acknowledgment of the German teachers who supported the students throughout their production.
Providing opportunities for creativity and interdisciplinary learning is an integral part of our language course.
Joshua Kamener
German Teacher
GERMANY CELEBRATES 500 YEAR OF THE REFORMATION - MARTIN LUTHER
Ongoing ceremonies throughout the year have been celebrating this world historical event. On the 31st October 1517, a simple monk stood up against corruption of the Catholic Church and nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg hereby setting in motion a reformation in politics, business, science, art, and culture. He translated the Bible into German for the common people to understand the word of God. Luther´s ideas went global:
- Henry VIII separated the English church from Rome;
- Korea and then later South Korea were spreading Protestantism, today one fifth of the South Korean population follows Protestantism;
- Many American pioneers were Protestants who had been persecuted in Europe left for the West and spread their faith in America;
- The Evangelical church in East Africa is the largest Lutheran parish on the African continent;
- 1686 Lutherism became the state religion in Sweden.
The Luther year is also celebrated with special programs on ABC radio, please click the following links if you are interested in more information.
http://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/500-years-of-the-reformation/s-30092
https://lutherstadt-wittenberg.de/en/luther-2017/
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/saturdayextra/the-aftermath-of-the-reformation/9089350
Andrea Fowler
Head of Languages
FRENCH CHRISTMAS MARKET
Each year, the Alliance Francaise organise a French themed Christmas market at their school in St Kilda. Over two days, there are activities for children and parents as well as stalls selling French products, food and wine. There is also music to enjoy.
Families are encouraged to visit the market and make the most of the French influence.
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of December
Alliance Francaise
Eildon Mansion
51 Grey St St Kilda
Kellie Dickson
French Teacher
YEAR 10 FRENCH EXCURSION
On Monday 30 October the Year 10 students of French enjoyed a delicious lunch at 'Bergerac' on William St in the CBD. Entree was traditional 'escargots' cooked in garlic and parsley which the students quite liked, even those hesitant to try them. For mains, there were traditional steak and chicken meals on offer, followed by sumptuous desserts of creme brulee and chocolate tart.
The students interacted with the wait staff in French, one waiter in particular chatting away to the students. The students were wonderfully behaved and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Thank you to Mme Antal for organising the outing.
Kellie Dickson
French Teacher
INFORMATION EVENINGS - FRENCH EXCHANGE 2017 AND 2018
Students studying Year 10 French in 2018 and their families are invited to attend an information session on Tuesday 14 November about the French Exchange program. The meeting will be held in the Lecture Theatre and will begin at 7pm. We will explain what the program involves and how to express your interest in taking part.
For the current Year 10 students who are travelling to France on Friday 8 December, there will be a pre-departure meeting on Tuesday 21 November at 7pm in the Lecture Theatre. The meeting will cover what to pack, what to expect and other useful topics.
For any families with queries about the French Exchange program, please contact Ms Kellie Dickson on dis@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au.
Merci.
Kellie Dickson
French Teacher