Languages News

Currently, Damascus students already learning French or Indonesian as a core subject during Year Eight may elect to further these studies from Year Nine all the way to VCE Year 12. Undoubtedly, many students at various year levels mull over the decision to continue with languages. The main ingredients required for fulfilment and success in further studies of languages are curiosity, a genuine love for culture and language, as well as the willingness to review new learnings and regular practice.

Both internationally recognised official UNESCO languages, French and Indonesian have played significant roles in the history of our regional development here in the Asia-Pacific. In 2025, Damascus College has taken to the international stage with study tours for both languages. After our successful April study tour to France - Angers and Amboise in the Loire Valley as well as Paris - it is now Indonesian’s turn, with their study tour comprising ten students departing next week, led by Mr. Brendan Bawden who has worked tirelessly in collaborating with our partner institution, The Bloombank School in Jakarta, in order to prepare a highly engaging and innovative itinerary for students. In-country excursions such as these support an authentic student engagement with language, people and culture, and to gain an expanded world perspective.

2025 Indonesian Language Study Tour: 1 – 13 July

The ten students, accompanied by three teachers led by Brendan will soon depart on a two week-long international excursion to Indonesia. This popular study tour has been held bi-annually and follows the memorable experience held in 2023. The four provinces covered during this excursion include Jakarta, West Java, Yogyakarta and Bali. Students will experience interactions with Indonesian people from varied backgrounds going about their everyday lives. It is an amazing opportunity to be immersed in society in a vast and diverse land that expresses both the traditional in its rich and proud history as well as the modern in the national confidence in itself as a future world leader.

The following students will be participating in the 2025 Indonesian Tour:

• Blake Alcock (X02, Year 11)
• Jessica James (R03, Year 11)
• Olivia Radisich (X01, Year 11)
• Imogen Rosenhart (X03, Year 11)
• Harley Shannon (S07, Year 11)
• Finn Hoare (R06, Year 10)
• Yolanda Jones (X06, Year 10)
• Sam Langhorne (X06, Year 10)
• Charli Rowe (S07, Year 10)
• Toby Allan (R03, Year 9)

The touring group will miss the last four schooldays of Term Two as well as the first week of school holidays. It is at the same time both a privilege and huge commitment for all participants. Accompanying the students along with Brendan are Nicole Hexter and Amanda Tait, who will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all students. The school fondly wishes the touring group Selamat jalan! (‘Safe travels’) on their journey to Indonesia.

Thank you, our incredible families for supporting your children to participate in this excursion and for your support of the school languages program more broadly.

Staff acknowledgement

Margaret McIntyre will conclude her teaching contract on Friday 4 July. As a highly experienced and accomplished teacher in multiple languages, Margaret has been a highly valued member of the languages team in the time that she has served the College in 2024 and again in 2025; students in all her French classes and colleagues alike have benefited by Margaret’s inspiring attitude as well as the wisdom that she has consistently been able to impart others.

The school says merci beaucoup to Margaret for her work, and we wish all the very best with her travel plans as well as getting to spend more time with her family during the remainder of 2025.