1990 School Magazine

SISTER SCHOOLS 1990 has been a busy year for the continuation and furthering of Sister School relationships between Brisbane Girls' Grammar and schools in those parts of the world WITich reflect tlie language programs here We are proud to continue to share schoollife andlanguage with our two Sister Schools in Japan. Matsusaka and Tsushima, tlirough the eXchange program. Currently we have two students froiTi Tsushima witli LIS. having just farewelled six from Matsusaka after a six week stay This year. we have also added three countries and three schools to the list. In June, we were delighted to welcome two students from our Sister School in Essen, Germany Leonie Krone and Katriii Relmei. are admirable ambassadors forthe Maria-Wachtlei. Gymnasium. and we hope that they are the first or itTany students from this school who may spend time witli us. We are also encouraging students from the German Department to consider the OPPoi'Iunity to visit Maria-Wachtler. Through the Department of the Premier, Economic and Trade Development. we now have a Sister School in Shanghai, Girls' School Number 3. We are awaiting 11Toi'e details on this so that we can begin to make contact and set up an eXchange program. This is an exciting step for both parties, and we look tonyard to fliture visits. MTS Pauline Tam will be carrying personal messages from our students and the school on her study tour to China this coming December In December. a Iai'ge group of students front the Eiench Department will leave to spend five weeks in France, foul' of which will be spent in homestays with families of our French connection. Lycee Saint-Paul in Ariaouleme. This is also a new Sister School for us, which has a strong Interest in EXchange programs. and 11as its own International Class progi. am. Our liaison with this school has been facilitiated for us by our colleague, Mrs Francoise Duff. wlio is among the more notable past students of Saint-Paul, although in their prospectus they seem to prefer to mention President Francois Mitterand in that category. Already some of our students ai'e corresponding with students from this school. and we look tonyard to a productive eXchange program with Saint- Paul As call be seen, the Sister School EXchange Program is alive and well at B. G. G. S. and is a vital part of our Language Department, enhancing language skills as well as fostering understanding and cultural awareness

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As OTHERS SEE us. .. Things that are commonplace to us are often very strange and bewildering to our eXchange students' For example. our German visitors found it hard at first to adjust to wearing a uniform and ITo make-up orjewellery. but as BerlinerJulia Ferle commented, "After a whilelgot used to it and I had a lot more time in the morning. " No choice about what to wear also means no hassle A severe culture shock for all was to find themselves in a segregated school. Not a boy in sight! ! Katrin Reimer and Leonie Krone, from our sisterschoolin Essen. found school hours veiy long, as their school day finishes at 1.00 pm. Katrin Richter agreed, and commented that everything was much more regulated and disciplined than in Germany. "Our teachers are more laid back and our classes are. consequently, much louder!" Another Berlinei', Bergitta Laterrisen, was impressed by the range of school facilities, like computer rooms and sports equipment. She also commented on the need to adjust to the Australian sense of humour ..

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