LANGUAGES
ARRIVAL OF FRENCH EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Our 16 French exchange students arrived in Melbourne on Friday 8 June. There was much excitement as they were greeted by their McKinnon partners and families.
They spent the long weekend settling in to life in Melbourne with some families taking them to Sorrento, to the zoo, along the Great Ocean Road and many places around the local area. Luckily the weekend weather offered them blue skies.
For the first week, there are no Year 10 classes due to the exam period, the GAT and Correction Day so the French kids have had lots of time to settle in.
Their first day at McKinnon will be an excursion to Point Nepean on Monday 18 June. Their formal induction to our school will be on Tuesday 19 June.
We would like to thank the 16 families involved for their generous hospitality in hosting the French students. The families involved are: Michelle Androsenko, Isabella Bullas, Jake Clough, George Dimitrakas, Roman Fletcher, Stesha Goldenberg, Ariel Greenberg, Zoe Meek, Ana Mistric, Hannah Nishikubo, Genevieve O'Brien, Megan Prapas, Talia Raman, Grant Sandler, Sarsha van Denderen andClare Wever.
Kellie Dickson
French Exchange Co-ordinator
FRENCH EXCHANGE - EXCURSION TO POINT NEPEAN
As an opportunity to get to know the group and to get to see more of Victoria, we took the 16 French exchange students and their 16 McKinnon partners to Point Nepean on Monday 18 June. We were accompanied by the teacher from the French school, Monsieur Frederic Charvet.
Meeting in the Korean garden at McKinnon Secondary College, there was a chance to talk about what they had been up to over the weekend, including going to AFL matches, parties and even trips to Sydney for some. We then drove by bus down to Point Nepean. There we walked the Wilsons Folly Walking Track down to the beach. The views were spectacular, along the beach, looking at the cliffs and rock formations. Lunch was a picnic near the Information Centre. They also explored the old Quarantine Station, learning about the immigration by ships, and subsequent quarantine processes in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Luckily, the winter weather was fairly kind. The skies were grey and there was some light rain but it didn't impact the day or the moods. The students, both French and McKinnon, were very well behaved and seemed to enjoy the day.
Ms Kellie Dickson
French Exchange Co-ordinator
FRENCH EXCHANGE - FIRST DAY AT MCKINNON
After enjoying their time in Melbourne of over a week, the French students had their first day at school on Tuesday 19 June. They arrived dressed in their McKinnon uniforms, looking very eager to take part in the day's program. Wearing school uniforms is a new experience for them as French schools typically don't have a uniform. Managing the ties, skirts, stockings etc and staying warm was a new challenge for the French students.
The morning began with a formal induction to the school where the French students were introduced to the school, learning about the school structures, values and expectations. They met the Principal team and were welcomed with kind words from Mrs Binnion, Mr Kan, Mr Noble and Mr Long. They also meet some of the Year 10 Student Managers and some teachers of French.
After an official school photo, they were taken on a tour of the school by three kind and generous Year 12 students of French (Alex Hunter, Orlando Buttie and Helena Manoussios).
Recess passed and then they had a lesson about Australian Politics with Mr Machin and Mr Cukierman, followed by a demonstration and discussion about Australian foods and cooking with Mrs Wilken. They got to try some kangaroo and some ANZAC biscuits, as well as learning about the origins of the biscuits. Finally, they spent the afternoon learning about (and singing) Australian music with Ms Papworth.
It was a great first day and we look forward to getting to know them better during the next two weeks.
Ms Kellie Dickson
French Exchange Co-ordinator
BERTHE MOUCHETTE POETRY COMPETITION! (2018 FINALISTS)
On Monday 14 May, one hundred Year 9 and 10 McKinnon students, pursuing French studies, participated in the French Poetry Competition on their home ground at McKinnon Secondary College. They had all showcased their mastery of French and Poetry recitation and the most impressive performers were invited to participate in the Finals.
This year we had by far the best results in this event:
- Thirty-one students received the highest score of 20/20;
- Thirty-eight students received an EXCELLENT mark 19 -19.5/20;
- Meanwhile the remaining students performed above average by scoring a very good, good and some achieved a satisfactory outcome.
We are delighted to announce that in the 2018 Poetry Competition the following students were awarded the top mark, which is “BRILLANT” as these students attained the highest score of 20 out of 20 (French marking system).
Our finalists will recite their poem again on 29 July 2018 between 9am to 4pm in the premises of Alliance Française at Grey Street, St Kilda. Students will receive a personal invitation with their allocated time.
The following Year 9 and 10 students received the top mark BRILLANT!:
Year 10 students:
Jacob Clough, Madison Dell’Aquila, Harry Fletcher, Ariel Greenberg, Chantelle Hay, Jasmin Hayward, Tayla Kontopoulos, Naomi Kricheli, Imi Nelson, Sakura Nonaka, Megan Prapas, Gizelle Sakr, Clare Wever, Isaac Wilson and Richard Zhang.
Year 9 students:
Catherine Chang, Anoushka Dinesh, Marisha Dinesh, Tia Finn, Julia Giantsos, Sarah Hatigan, Neda Lay, Melissa Liu, Khushi Negi, Adam Pacak, Vanessa Paredes, Alisa Sharkova, Philippa Sharman-Smith, Macy Tofler, Jaime Tyzack and Klaudija Zidonyte.
Congratulations to all finalists et BON COURAGE and BONNE CHANCE in the next round!
Once again, I also sincerely thank their French teachers: Ms.Dickson and Ms.Jimenez for their relentless work and assistance in this poetic endeavour.
Bravo tout le monde!
Ludmila Antal
French Teacher