Global Connections
Lucie Dickens, Academic Dean of Languages
Farewell to Leone Théron
Leone joined us from St Joseph La Salle, Toulouse, France at the start of Term 3. She helped with many of our French classes and also ran a French baking workshop, which the Year 9 students enjoyed a lot!
We thank Leone for her input and participation into classes and for being such a pleasant student. We wish her all the best as she starts Year 11 in France in September!
Below is Leone’s reflection on her journey in Australia.
As soon as I arrived in Melbourne, I knew it would be an amazing experience. Being immersed in a new culture and education system has allowed me to grow not only academically, but also personally.
One of the first challenges I encountered was the language barrier. Fortunately, the Kilvington teachers and students were patient and understanding, helping me to adapt to the Australian education system and improve my language skills day by day.
Attending Kilvington was a unique opportunity to witness the difference and similarities between France and Australia! The empathy and the level of student involvement in the School community was particularly impressive to see. This spirit of altruism and compassion is something I will carry with me throughout my life.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of Kilvington, and I strongly believe it is these connections between French and Australian students which will play a vital role for building a more interconnected and understanding world for the future generations.
The people I met here will leave a warm impact in my heart. This is one of the hardest goodbyes I’ve ever had to do, but I see it as not a farewell, only a 'see you soon'.
Visit from Hiroshima Jogakuin Junior and Senior School
A group of 17 students and two staff members were recently able to visit us from our partner school, Hiroshima Jogakuin Junior and Senior School, from Hiroshima, Japan.
They attended classes and made impressive presentations at Senior Assembly and for Peace Day to Year 7 students.
We thank the host families who were able to host our guests and for the care they provided. Witnessing Kilvington students interact with Hiroshima Jogakuin students reminds us of the importance of creating links between cultures and educate students as global citizens of the world.
Below is an excerpt of a speech made by Hiroshima Jogakuin English teacher, Mr Kazumasa Arihara, at the school assembly on Friday 4 August.
Thank you for welcoming us. We are very happy to be able to visit and study at Kilvington for the first time in four years since the pandemic.
Already, in the several days we have spent here, we have learnt many things thanks to you including, 'Good day mate', Aussie football, Collingwood, vegemite on toast, fish and chips and, more importantly, kind, gentle and sincere communication based on respect to others. This is a great school in a great country.
We are delighted, as well as honored, to be able to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of this beautiful school full of energy, excitement, and possibility just like ours. May it last and keep flourishing for the next 100 years, like the relationship not only between our school and your school, but also between Japan and Australia.
Reflections from Hiroshima Jogakuin Junior and Senior school students
Wakaba, Tamaki and Suzuna, Hiroshima Jogakuin students
Hello everyone! We are Jogakuin students from Japan. This is our first time in Australia.
We were very worried before coming here, but our host families and everyone in Kilvington has helped us a lot. We don’t have recess time in Japan, so we are so happy to eat snacks in school. We want to make use of what we have learnt in Australia in Japan.