German
Why learn German?
With an ever-shrinking world, the skill of learning a second language is becoming more and more important.
But why German? First, many of our students find it easy and fun to learn German because of the similarities between English and German. We have the same alphabet and thousands of words are closely related.
German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe and it has a big online presence. Plus, Germany is an economic powerhouse and an important language in academia. All year 7 students will have the opportunity to take home a postcard which explains the benefits of learning a language and why they should consider continuing with the language in year 8. Learning German and excelling in English and Mathematical Methods also allows them to achieve an extra VCE certificate called the VCE Baccalaureate. Toll!!
BJR Exchange 2018
Two year 10 students left in late November for ten weeks in Germany. The AGTV – Bayerischer Jugendring (BJR) reciprocal exchange offers students the opportunity to live in the state of Bavaria for ten weeks. Only 40 to 50 students are chosen each year across the state to take part in the exchange. With plenty of snow falling already, both students should experience a magical white Christmas.
German Poetry Competition 2018
This year 12 eager students from years 7 to 9 participated in the annual German Poetry Competition. Every year the competition is held at Club Astoria in Morwell.
UN Model Conference in German 2018
Topic: Asylum Seekers – A Global Humanitarian Problem
‘One of the best excursions I have been to’. Five Senior secondary students of German attended a UN model conference at Treasury Theatre in the city. This year’s topic was ‘ASYLUM, Seekers – A Global Humanitarian Crisis’. They had to research the position of different countries to this problem, especially within their position in the UN.
Teams of 4 or 5 were representing one of the UN member states and had to write and then read a 2-3-minute statement in German. Our group had to represent the UK. In preparation, before the day, they had to read substantial delegates packs. Then they had to write a position statement in German, as well as suggested changes to resolutions.
On the day, one of the students read out the position statement for their country (the UK) in German, in front of about a hundred other students and teachers and speaking into the microphone. Then they had to comment or answer questions, in German, when asked.
The students put an amazing effort and time into the preparation and were very engaged on the day. They would have probably argued more, if it had been in English. But they did put their flag up a couple of times to answer questions or clarify.
Overall, it was an awesome experience.
Year 9 German Play Day 2018
Thank you to the Year 9 German class who put in a great deal of effort into a performance of a German play at the Club Astoria in Morwell. The students came up with the idea of a murder mystery and then put the plot together with the classic German song “Der Mörder ist immer der Gärtner.” The students worked very well in their team effort of collecting ideas, rehearsing, organising props, practicing correct pronunciation and learning their lines by heart. They excelled when it came to the performance on the day and won the shield back. A very impressive effort!
Thanks goes to the Art/Drama department who lent us several costumes and to Lamezleigh’s Café who lent us their beautiful antique looking telephone as a prop.
AAG / MNSC Exchange
Students in year 10 can take part in our German sister school exchange. Students apply in year 9 and undergo an intensive selection process to be accepted into the program. Families host students from our sister school, Alfred-Amann-Gymnasium, in March/April and then our students travel to Germany in August/September. This exchange has been a strong part of the school for more than 15 years and continues to be well supported by the whole community.
