STUDENTS FAREWELLED 

An Amazing Experience

This term, the year ten leaders had the pleasure of hosting five students on a scholarship from China. Each one of us was paired with one or two of the Chinese students and we had the opportunity to share our schooling endeavours and everyday life with them.

Each one of us had the pleasure of bringing these students to our classes, to show them around and to introduce them to the many bright faces here at Kew High School. They experienced first-hand a number of our regular subjects. I found it interesting when our buddies talked to us about how different their classes were and how their teaching methods differed from what we are used to. Our students' regular school days in China run from 7:30 in the morning to 10:00 at night, 6 days a week and in comparison our classes seemed to be more discussion based than theirs. Not only has their journey to Australia been a learning experience for them, but it has also been a learning experience for us.  

I think they did an excellent job at breaking the language barrier. What is even more impressive is how they were engaged and constructive in class. On the odd occasion they looked to us for verification of what was being discussed, but this was encouraged and it gave them the opportunity to ask questions and expand on their already extensive knowledge of the English language. I have no doubt that each student in this program has already shown an improvement in their ability to speak English and that they learnt many new things about the Australian culture.

Our friendships with our guests weren’t just within the confines of the classroom. Recess and lunch brought the opportunity to build stronger relationships and it gave them the opportunity to get to know everyone else in our year level a bit better too. Tiger and Patrick always reassured them that they were welcome to play basketball and this really seemed to help the students connect with our community. While playing sports with us it didn’t matter that English wasn’t their first language because physical activity is a universal language that we can all engage in.

At the end of the Chinese students’ Australian visit, an assembly was held with the Honourable Mr Martin Dixon, the Victorian Minister of Education, to conclude our Chinese guests’ stay. The Chinese students all learnt so much and had an amazing experience at Kew High School. We hope they enjoyed their time at Kew High School with us, as much as we enjoyed it with them.

 Sara Bruce

Year 10 Student Leader