B R O A D E R H O R I Z O N S - St Hildas School

Girls shine in languages competition
Persephone Mead-Small. Hanna Kang.
More than 50 St Hilda’s
School girls took part
in the 30th Gold Coast
Regional Speech
Competition.
Coordinated by the
Modern Languages
Teachers’ Association
of Queensland (MLTAQ), the event attracted approximately 1000
Gold Coast language students who study Japanese, French,
German, Chinese and languages other than English.
The following St Hilda’s girls were recognised for their outstanding
performances with the presentation of medals. There were a
further 24 students who received Highly Commended certificates
for their efforts at the event.
The regional German speaking competition,
although challenging, was another
opportunity to practise my speaking and
expand my understanding of the language.
The atmosphere was intense and I felt the
pressure to do well. It was quite stressful
and my nerves were kicking in; however,
when I stepped inside the judging room
with a light-hearted atmosphere, I forgot all
about it and shifted my focus to speaking.
All in all, I am glad I took the opportunity to
do something worthwhile.
Elena Liang Y10 German, second place
French is a large part of the curriculum and
it was great to compete with hundreds
from around the Gold Coast. We used what
we had learnt in class to ‘show off’ what
we knew in pre-rehearsed speeches and
then we asked impromptu questions and
proceeded to converse in French with the
judges. It was very challenging – thinking
on the spot in your non-native language,
making sure you said the right things but
also trying to be interesting – but a good
way to practise the language. Emma Cooper
Y10 French, Highly Commended
French
Y6 Yasmin Foster Second
Y7 Persephone (Pepper) Mead-Small First
Y9 Sophia Slancar Second
German
Y10 Elena Liang Second
Japanese
Y7 Haemi Kang Fifth
Charli Bawden
Fourth
Y10 Hanna Kang First
Y12 Hee Ra Kim Third
Amanda Lee
Second
Open Jenny Yang Third
It was great to experience such an exciting
atmosphere on the day of the regional
Japanese speaking competition. As an event
that involved approximately 1000 competitors,
it not only provided me with an opportunity
to display my Japanese speaking skills, but
also made me realise that language is an
essential part of our curriculum. Although
I was quite nervous and felt pressured to do
my best, it was very enjoyable to know
that so many people were enthusiastic
about learning languages.
Hanna Kang Y10 Japanese, First place
Karragroo Seniors and staff, from left: Amelia Brands, Gabrielle Quinn,
Georgia Cooper, Head of House Ms Carly Leeson, Star Gold,
Jacqueline Gerrard and Savannah Fry.
Record support for
Daffodil Day
For the third year, Karragaroo raised money and awareness
for the Cancer Council by supporting Daffodil Day on
Thursday 26 August. The main message of the drive was
that the one in two who are diagnosed with cancer by the
age of 85 is one too many.
With this is mind, St Hilda’s School staff and students
generously donated more than $500 by purchasing
merchandise and fresh daffodils.
Curriculum update
In 2011 St Hilda’s School will implement the first phase of the
Australian curriculum. The roll out will begin with Years 7 and 8
in 2011 followed by Years 9 and 10 in 2012.
In a study produced by the Queensland Studies Authority the
Queensland syllabus was compared to the Australian syllabus
and the study found that there was an 80 per cent correlation
between the two in Mathematics, 79 per cent in English, 65 per
cent in Science and 57 per cent in History.
“This study confirms there will need to be significant changes in
the curriculum in Queensland schools,” said St Hilda’s Director of
Curriculum Mr Tony Daley.
“St Hilda’s School is well-placed to implement the changes that
will be required and staff have responded positively and are
excited about the challenges of new syllabi.
“The School will use the new syllabi as a vehicle to build upon
the academic success of past years.”
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