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2014 has been an exciting and busy year for both staff and students alike. Students at both the main campus and Westcourt have had many diverse learning opportunities. At the end of 2013, a group of 27 students in Years 10-11 from St Joseph’s College and Sacred Heart College and three teachers took part in the study tour of Italy. Students had the opportunity to attend an Italian high school for a week in Milan. Following their homestay the group travelled around Italy for the remaining two weeks of the tour. Students were able to immerse themselves in the language and culture and had the opportunity to visit important Italian cities like

Venice, Verona, Florence, Rome, Pompeii and the Cinque Terre to name a few. In July St Joseph’s College hosted six Italian exchange students from three of our sister schools in Milan.

During the Easter school holidays a group of 64 people, including staff, parents and students attended the cultural trip to China. The group travelled for two weeks and saw the sights and learnt about the culture of a few Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai,

Dunhuang, Turpan, Xi’an and Urumqi. The next Chinese cultural trip will run in 2016, this trip is offered to all students and parents interested in experiencing Chinese culture.

Students had the opportunity to grow and develop their appreciation of cultures and languages through not only classwork but also excursions and incursions. Year 8 Chinese students had the opportunity to visit China Town and the Chinese Museum in Melbourne. Year 8 Italian students spent the day on Lygon Street exploring its history and culture and also viewed some significant Italian artwork at the NGV. Year 10 Italian students participated in the LOTE camp with Sacred Heart College. Students were immersed in the Italian language and culture. Students spent 2 days practising their oral, aural, reading and writing skills. The camp helped to build the students’ confidence in all areas, in particular their speaking skills. For our Westcourt Year 9 students, the LOTE faculty’s motto was ‘Learn as you use and use as you learn’. Due to the flexibility of the timetable at Westcourt, students have had the opportunity to put into practice their language skills and knowledge through practical activities both in class and in the wider community. A group of twelve Year 9 Chinese students had the opportunity to travel to China and take part in an intensive 6 week language course during semester one. This was a Government initiative, called ‘The Young Leaders to China Program’. Students returned to Westcourt motivated and enthusiastic to continue with their language studies. All students represented the college well whilst overseas. One student in particular made a strong impression – Liam Jelley was awarded a scholarship by AFS that ran the pre-departure camp for the boys. The scholarship will cover tuition and board for one year in any country. Liam hopes to study in Shanghai next year. Finally I would like to thank my colleagues of the LOTE Faculty, without your help, hard work and support all of this would not be possible.

Caterina Giacomazzo - LOTE Coordinator YEAR 9 ITALIAN

This year Italian students have enriched their learning by putting language skills into practice through activities in class and in the wider community. We explored Italian gastronomy by preparing Italian pasta and sauce, used an Italian coffee percolator and followed Italian recipes to make tiramisu!! We learnt about Italian immigration with a cultural project that included a coffee tour of Melbourne and had regular conversation classes at a local café. We also assisted St Thomas Aquinas with their Italian Day. We completed a unit of Science in Italian about The Earth, including the creation of our very own volcanoes! It has been an educational and entertaining year.

Louisa Biviano - Italian Teacher

Italian Trip Italian Trip An Italian Science Class!