1995 School Magazine

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6irlg' @rummar Sclrool I8risbane 1995

So, although riding a bike two kilometres in the dark and rain to school every day cannot be described as anything more positive than character building, I thoroughly enjoyed spending my school holidays going to schooi in another country, and especially getting to know a new family and new culture. I would delinitely encourage anyone who enjoys languages and learning about other people (and themselves) to lose their inhibitions and just jump at the opporlunities for exchange offered at Grammar. The benelits are endiess, and I am already enjoying the long term advantages of improved language skills and many new friends. (A notable short term outcome being a suitcase full of Gummi Bears). I know that the experience has better equipped me for coping in new situations in the future, and I'd like to thank the school for providing this wonderful opportunily. KIRSTY DODSWORTH

Five out of my eight weeks were spent attending schools, both the Otto-Pankok Gymnasiurn in Mulheim and our sister school in Essen, the Maria-Vdchtler Schule. The German schooling system differs from our own, in that most students complete thirteen years of schooling, with classes finishing daily at around half past one. Students don't wear uniforms, the teachers mostly wear jeans, and the schools and schoolyards are 1iteral1y concrete jungles. The classt'ooms are devoid of carpets, and students paint murals or stick posters up to decorate the wal1s. No mention was made to me of a school library or student computers at either school. I was impressed with the school day, however, in that the six forty-five minute periods and two breaks were scheduled so as to allow us to go home in time for a hot lunch. The students at both schools were very friendly and anxious to practise their English on me, once they ascertained that Australians did indeed speak English (and not French, as one boy mysteriously assumedl)

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN GERMANI-Y

never end, but it did. A few hours after the third farewell party in the bleak eady hours of the morning, eyes swollen with tears, lilms full of memories and my heart filled with determination to re- tr-rrn, I boarded the plane back to Aus- tralia. I have been accepted as a Rotary exchange student and am due to arrive back in North Germany in January 1996, for 12 months. My seven weeks with Familie Rower in Bremen stand out as being the most significant achievement in my 1ife, one which not many people can

Tn the Christmas holidays of 1994,I went and stayed with Ithe Rower family in Bremen in North Germany

for seven weeks. It was the most unforgettable experience of my life. It was organised through a family friend who had contacts in Bremen from when she was a Rotary exchange student. The Rowers accepted me into their fam- ily as if I was their new daughter, and sister. Petra and Sabine are six- teen year old identical fwins, and for my seven weeks there they were my best friends. The older sister Silvia, 20, was also a great friend and showed me many of the popular sights and the best of German culture. Duling my stay I attended school at the local Gymnasium in Syke, with Petra and Sabine. Out of my thousands of experiences while in Germany, school stands out as being the most memorable. It lasted only from 8.00 till 1.00, and the lessons were filled with cake eating and coke drinklng, and in the last three weeks - the students went on strike! My experiences were many and great. From experiencing a white Christmas, New Years parties, welcoming parties, birthday parties and farewell parties it seemed it would

relate to or are fortunate enough to experience, and I am for this reason eternally grateful. ANNA WOOD 12 CIBSON

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