LOTE 2017 has been a busy year for both staff and students. Students at the Edmund Rice Campus and Westcourt have had many diverse learning opportunities offered by the faculty. YEAR 8 Earlier in the year, a group of Year 8 Italian students competed in the annual Italian Poetry competition run and organised by Swinburne University. After the students recited their poems to a judge they met with Dr Simone Battiston, who spoke about the opportunities and advantages that studying languages provides in the future. Students completed some language-based activities aimed at building their oral skills in Italian and they ended their visit with a guided tour of Swinburne University’s Hawthorn Campus. It was a fun and rewarding day for both staff and students.The following are some reflections from Year 8 students: On 14 September, a group of 25 students met at Geelong Train Station to catch the train to Melbourne. We recited our poems and after everyone had finished we headed to a lecture theatre to complete some fun activities to develop our Italian speaking skills. We met with an Italian Professor from Swinburne who spoke to us about why learning Italian as a second language is important and how it could help us in our future careers. We finished with a quick tour of the University facilities. It was a memorable day, I hope I win! - Joshua Belleggia, Year 8 A group of Year 8 boys went to Melbourne for a day out at Swinburne University for the annual Italian Poetry Competition. Firstly, we recited our poem (that we had practised for weeks), to an Italian representative at the university. Afterwards we participated in an Italian workshop and completed many activities to build our Italian speaking skills and vocabulary. After the activities, we listened to a Professor from Swinburne University talk to us about the advantages of studying Italian beyond Year 8. The highlight of the day would have definitely been the speaking activities that we completed. - Ashley Wilson, Year 8
All Year 8 students attended the yearly LOTE excursion to Chinatown, the NGV and Lygon Street. Through this excursion, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of China and Italy. All students enjoyed this experience, I am sure that it will be a highlight of their language-learning journey when they think of it in years to come. YEAR 9 Westcourt Italian students participated in the ‘Italian Urban Experience’, which takes place over three days in Geelong, Daylesford and Melbourne. A group of elevenYear 9 Chinese students had the opportunity to once again partake in ‘The Young Leaders to China Program’, an intensive six week language course completed in China during Semester 1. Students spent three weeks at a school in Nanjing as well as three weeks travelling around China. This group of students has returned to Westcourt motivated and enthusiastic to continue with their language studies in Year 9 and beyond. “The 2017 Victorian Young Leaders to China trip was a once in a lifetime immersion experience where eleven Year 9 boys, including myself, were exposed to the exotic and unique culture that China offers. While we were in Beijing and Shanghai, we attended Chinese classes at different schools and universities, which gave us the best possible learning experiences and insights into the Chinese language and everyday life. Each day we had the chance to communicate with the locals to improve our language skills. There were many challenges to overcome whilst over in China, we endured six weeks without our families, meaning that we relied heavily upon each other for support. Because of this, it brought us closer together and I have definitely made some lifelong friends inside and outside the St Joseph’s College community.
Year 8 students took part in the Italian Poetry Competition at Swinburne University. When we arrived at Swinburne, we practised our poems one last time before one by one we presented our poem to people from the university. Everybody did very well. We then had a tour of the university where we saw all of the different faculty buildings and learnt about the different courses on offer (for future reference). After that, we caught the train back to Geelong. Overall, it was a good experience and an enjoyable day. - Patrick Visentin, Year 8
Playing Bocce at the Westcourt Expo
73
