LANGUAGES
GERMAN EXCHANGE STUDENTS SETTLING IN WELL
Time flies and our guests are already in their second week of their stay. They have overcome the jet-lag and adjusted to the Australian way of life and our school system quickly.
Whilst at school, German students are attending classes with their exchange partners; they introduce students to the German culture in presentations and participate in conversation classes. This enables Australian students to see the value of learning a language and the difference it makes in a conversation! German students also attend special programs offered by McKinnon staff, which are always greatly appreciated.
Students and teachers are accommodated by our generous host families and colleagues and enjoy the experience of authentic Australian family and school life. They explore Melbourne during two excursion days and get to know the Great Ocean Road during a three-day trip. Our families have many exciting outings planned and I would like to thank all hosts for their contribution to this program and wish them all an enjoyable time!
E-COMMUNICATION IN GERMAN
During the European summer holidays, I made contact with a German school in Bavaria, Oberasbach. The school in Germany is of a similar size to our school and will be able to provide contacts for all Year 8 German students.
Students will communicate in emails and talk about topics that have been agreed on by teachers in both countries. To ensure that email etiquette is adhered to, students and parents have acknowledged the ICT Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).
As German students are currently on autumn holidays, we are looking forward to our collaboration from the start of next week.
VET CERTIFICATE II IN APPLIED LANGUAGE
This program has been successfully integrated in our Year 10 course since 2012. The number of students completing this certificate has doubled until 2014. All Year 9 parents received information regarding this great opportunity for our language students. Please check your email and respond to Ms Fowler by Monday 5 November 2014.
If you require further information please refer to our website
https://sites.google.com/a/mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au/intranet/learning-areas/lote/certificate-ii-in-applied-language or contact Frau Fowler or Monsieur Hubert
YEAR 9 FRENCH EXCURSION
The Year 9 French classes have been working hard all year and to celebrate their achievements, Ms Antal and Ms Dickson took the two classes to a French restaurant in the city, le Bergerac.
Polite French behaviour of commencing the meal with "Bon Appetit" and refraining from eating all the baguette straight away, proved difficult for some students as temptation got the better of them.
Some students were tentative to try the entree of escargots but they were pleasantly surprised. The owner of the restaurant came to speak to us and told us that the snails had been imported from France, to add to the authenticity of the meal.
After main meals of "poulet a la provincale" or "fillet de steak", the students began to feel full, but could not resist the dessert: creme brulee or moelleux au chocolate. Delicieux!
The students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the day and the opportunity to experience an element of French culture, whilst speaking in French to the waiters.
Kellie Dickson
French Teacher/Year 9 Student Manager