Global Connections
Visit from Hiroshima Jogakuin Students In Our Japanese Classes
Toshi Preston, Year 11
On 30 July, we had the pleasure of having Hiroshima Jogakuin students in our Japanese class. This gave us the opportunity to use our Japanese speaking abilities and visa versa. We played several ice-breaker games together ... leading to some misadventures of language! It was also a wonderful opportunity for the Year 12 students as they were given one-on-one time to ask native Japanese students their experiences and opinions relating to their detailed study project.
All in all it was a very fun, productive and culturally enriching experience. 'Arigatou' (thank you) to the students and teachers at Hiroshima Jogakuin for being such pleasant visitors and to the staff at Kilvington for making it happen!
Filip Borsaru, Year 10
On 8 August, Year 10 students studying Japanese got together with the Japanese exchange students to cook classic Japanese cuisine. We split into five groups, with each group having a Kilvington student leading three to four Japanese students.
In our groups we cooked yakisoba, a common lunch or dinner in Japanese culture, and known by many.
We were not allowed to speak our first language during this activity which led to a lot of pointing and hand signals being exchanged between the students.
At the end of this exciting yet difficult experience we had grown closer to the Japanese students and also made some great yakisoba!
Discussing Respectful Relationships with Japanese Students
Madelyn Markovic, Year 10
On Monday 21 August, the Year 10 Japanese class welcomed Japanese visitors to Kilvington. We had an important discussion about respectful relationships and gender equality. We all contributed to the conversation by discussing gender stereotypes that we have witnessed in our community.
Our conversation allowed us to compare similarities and differences across our two cultures and to consider strategies to improve both our futures.
Overall, it was interesting to learn about the different viewpoints of equality and respectful relationships and encourage all members of the community to talk about issues.
Year 9 and 10 French Trivia Night
Megan Wrightson, Year 9
Eleven students from Years 9 and 10 French classes got the opportunity to partake in a French trivia night at Fintona Girls School on 10 August. Schools from around Victoria came together to partake in this event.
The teams were mixed up giving us the opportunity to meet new people from other schools. The event included fun French activities: 'guess the flavour of the macaron'; locating French towns on a map blind-folded; and, of course, French trivia questions ranging from history to general knowledge, with lots of great prizes to be won.
The night was a great experience. I was able to enhance my French knowledge, meet new friends and last but not least, eat some great macarons. Thank you to Ms Dickens for organising the night for us all.
Shanghai West Yan’an Middle School visit Kilvington
Alan Clarke, International Student Coordinator
Last week, twelve students and two staff from Kilvington’s sister school in China, Shanghai West Yan’an Middle School visited Melbourne and spent the week living with their host families and going to classes with their host brothers and sisters as well as seeing the sights of Melbourne.
For some of the visiting students, it was a great chance to catch up with the Kilvington students they hosted when we visited Shanghai in 2017. Kilvington’s next visit to China will be in September 2019.
Thank you to all the families, students and staff who helped make our visitors’ visit to Melbourne a memorable and enjoyable one.
Graduation Ceremony for Chinese Exchange Students
On Friday 17 August, we held a graduation ceremony for our Chinese exchange students where Principal Jon Charlton presented each student with a certificate to mark the completion of their visit.
Then, on Monday August 20, we wished them safe travels as they made their way back to China.
