Languages Week

It was an exciting, delicious and hands-on Languages Week at SNC last week (5-9 August).

In 2016, Ausstats identified that 300 languages are spoken in Australia. Additionally, more than one fifth (21 per cent) of Australians speak a language (other than English) in their homes.

This year is the “International Year of Indigenous Languages” which added to the importance of Languages Week at the College. It is fitting that Languages Week runs into NAIDOC Week (Week 4) for more celebrations and competitions.

A number of competitions were held, including both an Italian and Japanese Homeroom Quiz on major locations, art works and facts on both countries. It was a very close competition between 3 Homerooms, but K5 (Ms Pisconeri’s Homeroom) was the winner of the major prize; a bag of Italian chocolates!

The staff of St Norbert College is very multicultural and international, so in another competition, students had to match 14 staff members with their flag of origin. Some staff have backgrounds from more than one country, which consequently increased the difficulty of the competition. Congratulations to Paul Fuentes in Year 10, who correctly matched the highest number of staff to flags. Runners-up: Sophia Lu and Adam Min. Each student wins a $5.00 Canteen voucher for their efforts.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Food Carts arrived at the College for both students and staff. Home-made, fresh Italian Panzerotti (pizza-type pouches) were available, filled with mozzarella and ham, mozzarella and tomato or with Nutella as a sweet alternative. Staff also enjoyed a variety of Japanese Sushi Rolls. Thursday was Gelato day with a range of flavours, served in cups or cones.

St Norbert College has a strong tradition of both Italian and Japanese in the classroom. Students can take Languages through to WACE in Year 12, while students in the younger years have the experience of learning Japanese and/or Italian, and the unique cultures of Japan and Italy. Languages Week is a time to celebrate the diversity of languages and cultures both inside and outside the classroom.

Mr T Godden (Japanese Teacher)

and Ms D Tersigni (Italian Teacher)