Mrs Dunwoody reflects on the importance of Language and Culture week at Camberwell Girls.
When I spoke with VCE students last year about their highlights of the year, a number spoke about their Upskill Masterclasses. One that featured in our discussions included Carla Kurzboch, a paralegal who is also an accredited NAATI Translator and Interpreter, who encouraged our students to think beyond the idea that you just learn languages to use in your career, to thinking more about what they add to your life. Carla’s words resonated with many students present. In addition, speaking recently to our Head of Languages Dr Jo Rittey, she also reinforced this idea that language reflects how people see the world.
Learning languages at Camberwell Girls is highly valued. Aligned with this is also how we value and celebrate different cultures across year levels. One way we do this is in our dedicated annual Language Week. Organised by our Languages staff and Culture Captains Nirvani and Alice, this week’s celebrations have been a highlight in our Secondary School calendar.
A range of exciting lunchtime events – gingerbread house decorating, a French waiter’s race and martial arts demonstration, were aimed at strengthening and celebrating languages and community whilst also sharing messages about the importance of culture and language. Based in the quadrangle at lunchtimes students also had the opportunity to try a variety of cuisines. Today’s highlights included the stunning displays of international dress worn by students, as well as the multitude of performances at our highly anticipated annual International Concert. It was wonderful to see the enormous support given to our performers.
Yesterday we held a special Languages assembly.Dr Rittey spoke in more detail about the ways that languages help us to see the world through different perspectives, learn, celebrate and tell stories to enrich our lives and those of others. Her words had great impact and I share them with you below:
Good afternoon everyone,
Before I begin, I want to acknowledge the music you heard as you came in.
The first song was “First Nations” from the Makarrata Project by Midnight Oil, sung by Rob Hirst, Alice Skye and Tasman Keith. Rob Hirst had a special connection to our school through the drum masterclass he shared with Mr Duniam, as well as an In Conversation in our Brooksbank Library and it felt right to begin with a voice that has already been part of our story.
You also heard Emily Wurramara’s “Dumugurra (Kookaburra)”, a song that carries language, Country and joy in the same breath. Starting with these pieces reminds us that language is not just written on a page; it is sung, drummed, remembered and passed on.
Now, I want to start with a statement you might find surprising coming from me.
Learning a language can be challenging. There are silent letters you don’t pronounce… except when you do. Tones that can turn a compliment into an insult. Word order that can make your head feel like it’s about to explode.
And yet, learning a language is one of the most generous things a human can do.
Before we talk about French, German or Chinese, we need to start closer to home. We stand on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Country, a place where language has lived for tens of thousands of years. Woiwurrung is not just words; it is memory, landscape, law and story. It reminds us that language was the first way people cared for Country and for each other.
Languages are already everywhere in this school. They live in the homes of our families:
Every one of those languages is part of who we are.
At school, when you learn another language, you’re not just collecting grammar points. You’re being given access. Access to music that now makes sense. Access to conversations you would have walked past before. Access to ways of thinking that don’t quite fit inside English. You also get the gift of being slightly ridiculous. You will say the wrong thing. You will order something unexpected. You may accidentally tell someone you are a pineapple instead of embarrassed. Consider it a rite of passage.
Languages aren’t museum pieces. They’re everyday tools, shaped by real people talking to each other.
So whether you speak one language or five; whether you are learning French, German, Chinese at school; whether that little DuoLingo owl is on your back every day to do your Japanese or Italian lesson, or whether Persian, Korean or another family language lives in your heart; you are doing something important.
You are keeping stories alive.
You are widening the map of who you can be.
You are proving there is more than one way to see the world.
And that, more than any test score, is the real power of languages.
Whatever stage of life we are in, may learning another language continue to inspire us – enriching our own lives and the lives of others.
With best wishes,
Debbie Dunwoody
Principal
It's been a busy fortnight at Secondary School with an Upskill day, excursions, breakfasts, and competitions.
The Year 3 and 4 students had a very special visitor in their Art class this week, whilst the ELC children are learning about community.
The community came together in a powerful show of unity to celebrate International Women’s Day.
