LANGUAGES

GERMAN EXCHANGE VISITORS

Excited anticipation at the airport! Soon McKinnon SC students’ German exchange partners would come out into the arrivals hall. 

After more than a year of preparation and German-Australian contact happening over the internet between exchange partners, students finally were able to greet each other face-to-face! The exchange group from our sister-school in central Germany arrived just as Freo was losing their second Grand Final and enjoyed the second week of our holidays with their McKinnon exchange partners and their families, getting to know our area, daily routine and sometimes some of the scenery outside of Melbourne.

After one day of school at the start of Term 4 the German group and their escorting teachers were taken on a camp in southwest Victoria, seeing a lot of native wildlife, a variety of coastal and rainforest scenery and enjoying a surfing lesson on our Surf Coast! Since then, they have been getting to know the routine of our school day, taking part in lessons in all the subjects that their McKinnon partners do, and delivering prepared presentations in our German classes on aspects of life in their part of Germany. They will be visiting the German classes at East Campus also.

Some comments from our student visitors:

Paul: “This is amazing and a lot of fun. My host family is wonderful and very kind. I really enjoy spending time with my exchange partner and exploring McKinnon.”

Sophie & Tyah: “The exchange is an unforgettable experience because we got to see beautiful places and learn about a new culture.”

Alexander: “Being in school in Australia is a very different and unique experience, because school is different and fun.”

Our McKinnon SC learners of German can’t wait to travel to Germany late this year to do the return leg of the exchange and experience school and family life in Germany with their exchange partners.

David Nutting

German Teacher

NEW CALEDONIA TRIP 

New Caledonia was such an amazing experience, and I don’t even know where to start! As a group we did so many things like a tour around the city, aquarium, cinema, the Tjibaou Cultural Centre for a guided tour, a Day at our sister school College de Tuband, a boat to Amédée Island and so much more.

One of my top three favourite experiences was visiting our sister school, Collège de Tuband. It was so interesting to see a different school and how they learn differently. We also met some really nice people and exchanged contacts so some of us including me are still in touch with them.

My next favourite experience was touring Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia. We learned about historical buildings and their importance to the local culture. Afterwards, we got to do my favourite thing, shopping! We explored the city and bought some food, clothes and makeup.

My lucky last favourite thing we went to the cinema to watch Tombe du ciel, which is about a movie that follows a young Muslim man falsely accused of starting a fire is sent to a strict Catholic boarding school, where he faces culture shocks, funny misunderstandings and learns to overcome religious and cultural differences. There weren't any subtitles so we had to try and understand ourselves but there was lots of air conditioning. 

Overall, it was an experience I will never forget and I 100 percent recommend it even though it was boiling and I got burned too many times, I still loved it. 

Amy Mcilwaine, Year 9

BERTHE MOUCHETTE COMPETITION RESULTS

Congratulations to the following McKinnon students who were winners in their categories this year. This is an amazing effort - well done! 

Once again, our French students have shone on a big stage. 

Congratulations to the many students who competed, and to those who made it into the finals. Great work all round.

Year 9 Written Exam

Leon Gauthier

Year 10 Written Exam

Joachim Cinotti

Year 11 Oral Exam

Special mention from the judges

Mariia Kabakova

Year 11 Oral Exam

Liv Thiere (Year 10)

Year 12 Written Exam

Charlie Robbie (Year 11)

Jennifer Lynd

Languages Learning Area Manager

YEAR 9 FRENCH EXCURSION - ROULE GALETTE CREPERIE

This term, Year 9 French students visited the traditional French creperie, Roule Galette, to become more familiar with French culture and cuisine.

We took public transport most of the way to the Roule Galette (which roughly translates to rolled galette from French), before walking the rest, braving the cold. 

When we finally arrived, we chose our tables from a reserved area, allowing us to sit with our friends and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. It was cosy, all of the furniture and even the walls were a deep mahogany, with each table having dried flowers lovingly placed in. The slightest touches made the place feel well loved and reflected its roots in family business.

For our actual orders, we got to choose between two crepes or galettes (similar to a crepe, only made with buckwheat and usually savoury) with a variety of toppings. We could even try our crepes with “Purée de marrons”, which essentially is a smooth, syrupy spread made from cured hazelnuts. Although our orders were organised ahead of time, we were able to practise our French by ordering again in person with the French waiter. 

I personally really enjoyed it, as it was a nice break from all the schoolwork and studying. The interval between our food arriving really let me savour everything and take in my surroundings, acting as an incredible cultural experience.

Zimo Deng

Year 9 Student