Elizabeth College Newsletter - Jan 2011

Janurary 2011

I n t e r n a t i o n a l / E x c h a n g e S t u d e n t N e w s l e t t e r P a g e 1

Elizabeth College International Student Staff

This year has been a great one at Elizabeth College for the International Student Program. During the year we have had

a total of over 30 students from China, Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Norway, Japan and Nepal. The students are at different stages of their education here with some continuing from last year, some starting at the beginning of this year and some coming to the College for several months during the year.

As you can see from the photos in this newsletter, we have been on several excursions during the year where we have all had fun. Students have visited several places of interest in Tasmania, learned about the Australian lifestyle and also had opportunity to practise their English skills in informal situations.

The International Common Room is a place where students can get together at recess, lunch and in their free time to socialise and meet their friends. Over the year, some

I have REALLY enjoyed working with students on the International Students Program at Elizabeth College (EC) this

year. As co-coordinator with Sue Ball, my role has involved organising excursions and providing academic and lifestyle support for international students at our school.

All our international students work hard while they are at Elizabeth College and Sue and I provide whatever academic support we can. We also believe it is important that students see as much of our beautiful state of Tasmania as possible while they are here. I was born and grew up in Hobart, however I have spent most of my working life in Japan. Here I met some wonderful people who went out of their way to show me their fascinating country. Now I want to do the same for students who come to study at Elizabeth College.

Elizabeth College is proud of its long tradition of working with international and exchange students. The College

in enriched and enlivened by the number of students who come to us for cultural and educational reasons from all over the globe. Truly we are an international College and the articles and photos in this newsletter are a collage of the journey that these students have taken with us over the course of the year.

We have wonderful support staff who are highly skilled and experienced. I want to assure you that the education of your son or daughter is in very good hands at Elizabeth College. This newsletter is a representation of the journey that our international and exchange students have taken throughout 2010. We hope you enjoy reading about their time at our College as much as we enjoyed having them as students.

strong friendships have been made between students from different countries as well as with local Australian students. We can truly say that the International Student Program on this campus helps young people to make worldwide friendships and contributes to better understanding amongst young people from different cultures.

The teachers responsible for running this program, Heath Watts and myself, along with Craig Carnes our Assistant Principal and Lynne Bowditch the International Education Counsellor, have thoroughly enjoyed working with the International students this year. We are pleased with the progress that the students have made in their studies; we wish the leavers all the best for the future and look forward to welcoming back the Year 11 students in 2011.

This year we went to historical sites such as Richmond, Port Arthur and Cascade Brewery, met some Tasmanian animals at Bonorong Wildlife Park, experienced an agricultural festival at the Bream Creek Show, saw some beautiful nature at Russel Falls in Mt Field National Park and had fun playing golf and visiting the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. We finished the year with a luncheon at Mures Upper Deck Restaurant which is famous for its delicious seafood dishes. The excursions have been great fun and I hope that the students who participated have seen a little more of Tasmania than they would have otherwise.

It has been very rewarding to get to know all the International students better and help them progress towards their goals. I look forward to hearing about all their fantastic achievements in 2011 and beyond.

Students who are interested in attending Elizabeth College either as an international fee paying student or exchange student should email Assistant Principal Craig Carnes at [email protected]. If you wish to find out more about our College please view us at our website:

www.academy.tas.edu.au/elizabeth

Craig CarnesAssistant PrincipalInternational [email protected]

Sue BallManagerInternational [email protected]

Heath WattsInternational Support/[email protected]


Inokuchi Sister School Reception at Government House

Formal exchange of gifts.

Group photo with His Excellency The Honourable Peter Underwood AC, Governor of Tasmania and Mrs F Underwood.

Government House, beautiful gardens and grounds. Happy Inokuchi students give the thumbs up for the visit!

Mrs F Underwood entertains students.


International Student Profiles

MY name is Chin Yang, from Malaysia. I am 17 this year and study in EC (Elizabeth Campus)

as a year 12 student. I am so glad to study in Tasmania. Tassie is a pretty place, it doesn't have a lot of big buildings, big shopping centres and big bridges, not like Sydney or Melbourne those big cities. So the best advantage is we don't need to worry about the the traffic problems. Tassie has lots of beautiful views and very very old historic and antique buildings and things. You can't find them in big cities!

I study in EC now. As a year 12 student, I have to get pretertiary subjects. So I have chosen ESL3, Maths Methods, Physical Science, Chinese and Electronics. I like these subjects. I enjoy these classes all the time. So, in EC I made many friends from other countries. All of them are very kind and friendly. I enjoy being with them when we are together. When I first time came here. I felt so cold and not many Asian people, I just felt so strange. After a few weeks, I had already got used to this place. I feel so happy to live here.

Hello I’m an international student from South Korea. My name is Jay. I’ve studied at this school for

about three years. School in Tasmania is really different from the school in Korea. Here, I can choose subjects that I want to study but in Korea, I can’t. I don’t have a choice and just have to study everything although I don’t need those subjects for my future. I’m studying ESL3, Physics, Chemistry and Math Specialized this year. Also there are many students from many different countries. This school looks like an international school! There are Australian, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Sudanese and so on. It’s good to see those people because I can learn different cultures. It’s really interesting. I love this school!

Hi I’m Xing. I am from China. I have been here for one and half years. I remember that when I

first time came here, I was very nervous because I could not speak English very well but then I found the Hobart people are very kind and accommodating. I like Hobart very much. The reason is there are many beautiful views and everything is very clean and there are good kind people.

I'm Ben Pan. I came from China and I have been here about half a year. As for me, the reason is I came here is to

have more opportunities. So the first time I was so excited, because I thought there are not too many people to control me, but then, almost 2 weeks ago, I got a feeling of being alone. So I think that's the real life of a new international student.

Now I am a college student. Studying in college is a brand new start of my life, that's really different from high school. I do more things, do more homework, that's hard and makes me busy but I must do them. Tasmania is a beautiful place, I am studying at a good school, so I want to tell my parents I am very fine.

Hello, my name is Anna Vu. I come from Vietnam. I have been in Hobart three years and I went to

High School first. It was my first place to begin to learn something about Australian culture. I want to be a nurse to look after older people so my subjects are Biology, Health Studies, Maths Applied and ESL. At Elizabeth Campus, the teachers are very wonderful and helpful for students. I like Hobart because it's quiet and has nice weather in summer vacation.

When I was 17 years old, I still lived with Asians homestay. They taught English to me and helped me with some assignments. I would like to help to cook a dinner and my famous food is steamed dumpling. We have an activity on the weekend; we go to the swimming pool and try other food at restaurants. Now, I’m living by myself and taking care of myself. On the weekend, I have a friend to visit my house. Then we cook a different country food and listen to music.

Hello! My name is Kodai Kobayashi, I come from Kyoto, Japan. I have been here for two years.

I did not like English Class when I was in high school. I always got a bad score in the exam, but I was interested in another country. I did not know why, but I came here. also I do not remember why I chose Hobart. I think that was a correct choice. I really enjoy New Life in Tasmania! I found a lot of new things and friends but sometime I miss my family and my friends in Japan but at the end of year, when I go back to Japan. I might miss Tasmania very much.



Everyone calls me Ori but actually my name is Jaol Kim.I I'm from Seoul, the capital of Korea. I've

been here about three months and a few days. The school is totally different from in Korea. First of all, in Korea, we can't choose subjects and we should study nine classes in one day. We study all subjects in one class room with thirty students. So, we spend a lot of time in school. Of course nine classes are really hard but at least the thirty students are almost my family.

Elizabeth Campus is really good. I like three or two classes in one day but, sometimes I miss my friends like my family. There are so many things are different from Korea but I'm enjoying every new situation around me.

Hello everyone, I am Lisa Qi. I study in Elizabeth Academy. I am in year 12. I study Math, Chemistry,

Housing design and ESL this year.

In the future, I want to go to the University of Tasmania to study Education. My favorite motto is “No pain, No gain” so I need to study hard to get enough mark this year.

I like this city and I am really enjoy studying here.

My name is Yu Fang. I’m from China, everyone calls me Jenny at Elizabeth Campus. I’m 19

years old, in China I study in high school and I graduate this year. In Australia I’m a year 11 student and I know I have more chance to study more things.

At the weekend, I like to sit on the buses seat, look out of the window to see Tasmania's beautiful views. The mountain is too high to reach. The sea is blue, and there are a lot of ships on the sea just like ants. some girls go shopping with their friends. A couple take a photo in front of the building, (so lovely) and I always said here is like a fairy tales.

My name is Yaxuan Ma. I’m 18 years old now. I come from XingJiang province in west of

China. I came to Tasmania in October 2008; I’ve already been here for one and a half years. Now I’m studying Math Method, Physics, Physical Science and ESL at Elizabeth Campus. I really like TAS’s weather and those wonderful views. I also enjoy being with my classmates. They are always been nice and friendly to me. Anyway, I really like studying in Tasmania.

My name is Marfua. The first time I arrived in Australia, I was excited about everything,

everything was new to me.

I have been in Hobart nearly 1 year. I do like it. Everything is different from China.

Everyone is friendlier to you. In the morning, even the strangers would say Hello to you. Although my English not very good, I cannot feel anyone despises me. Especially at school, Elizabeth Campus, the teachers always try to help you. You can also make friends with them.

There are lots of nice local students in school. You also can ask them to help you as well. Wherever you come from, you can find friends from your country. You don't need to worry about being homesick.

Of course, there are abundant awesome views. I will honour that kind of nature that builds those miraculous things. They're really worth seeing.

Hello, I am Sam Lee. I'm from South Korea and have been here for 5 months. When I came here,

everything was so strange to me but as I went to Elizabeth campus, I met good friends and teachers. Although I could just speak English not Korean with them, we could communicate with each other.

And it was so interesting! I felt something different between Elizabeth campus and Korean high school. When I went to Korean high school, I had to study all of things like geography, maths, history, sociology.

But I could study what I want to study in Elizabeth Campus! That was so nice! Because I can study subjects associated with my future. Even though I am year 11 now, I am planning to go to Elizabeth Campus untill 12 year. I think I am so lucky that I go to Elizabeth campus now.


My name is Zhenyu Yang. My home country is China, I have been here 3 months. I study

English as a second Language, maths, life science and Chinese.

In my free time, I like to write in my book or draw some cartoons, play the computer and Chinese. I like animals, in china, I have 9 pet dogs, but some are dead now I just have one alive.

Hello, I’m Wai. I come from Fuzhou, Fujian province in China. Like many other cities in China,

Fuzhou is a densely populated place where shops close at 10p.m. every day while Hobart is a small cosy town where you can’t see many people on the street. That’s why I found life is very different and it did take me time to adjust to the environment and lifestyle here. Schools here are very different too. We can pick up any subjects we like, isn’t that cool! I’m now doing Economics, Chemistry, English as Second Language, Geography, and Math. I should probably choose some subjects like visual study and sports science, they sound more interesting. Now I’m living independently and I feel I’m so grown-up.

My name is Minseop Song I'm from Korea. I'm 17years old. I am enjoying my time at

Elizabeth College, and beautiful Tasmania.


My name is Marlene Obst. I’m a 17 years old girl from northern Germany and student

at Elizabeth campus for about 2 terms. Tasmania is a very special part of Australia and quite different in lifestyle, school system and food to my part of Germany. School is totally different and way easier, with a lot more options to choose from, even if you just have 4 subjects. For example I joined a video production and outdoor class here, something which is just not possible in my country. This system might seem a little bit too lazy but gives you a lot more opportunities for being creative.

I am Minjing Li. I’ve studied in Australia for two and a half years. I am studying at the Elizabeth campus at the moment

and I take four subjects here, English as a Second Language(ESL3), Health Studies, Accounting and Maths Applied. I am going well with ESL3 and Accounting because my English has improved a lot from last year and this year as well. My homestay "sister" helps me study Accounting which makes it much easier.

I met my two best friends at the Elizabeth campus. One is from Vietnam, she is Tin. I am friendly with her because we have lots of common things, as in we both love fashion, shopping, dress-up, make-up etc. The other one is from India, her name is Uma. I know her from the Accounting class. We both like studying Accounting. When we three go together, we gossip, we talk about others what they are wearing, what they look like and so many things.

Hello I am Sunny. I am come from China. I came here (Hobart) about one year ago. I am studying at

Elizabeth campus. Now I am studying ESL2, 3 and Housing Design. I enjoy school life, I made some friends here.

In the future I am not sure what am I doing. I am still planning. I hope I find what am I want to do soon. This term is my last term I hope everything will be better and I could be happy everyday.

I found many differences between my homeland and Hobart since I came to Hobart. My name is Refatijaing

Muhalamu, I'm from Urumqi, which is in north western China.

When I first came to Hobart I found that there are many trees and it is clean. It's not as big as my city, but it is quiet and beautiful. The roads are not crowded because there are not as many cars and people. There are many mountains around Hobart where people can go bush walking so many people like bush walking just like my first homestay family.

About sports, Australians like to play Australian Rules football like my homestay family's friend. He is crazy about football, but in China nobody plays football and Chinese call soccer ‘football.’ Whatever, my favourite sport is actually basketball.


Hello , I am Yukun. I come from Xinjiang China. I have been in Tasmania almost one year and

have been having a really fabulous time so far. The pure sky, nice climate and friendly atmosphere, everything is attractive for me. Studying in Australia is much different from in China. Everything is new. We don't have really heavy homework like the students who are studying in China. I should say that studying in China have too much stressful because of the intense competition We have much spare time to do our own things so that I really enjoy studying here.

What's more? I want to talk about my homestay where I am now living. Luckily, my current homestay are from Philippines and the interesting thing is, they are Spanish. They are very kind and really care about me that made me feel it is my home. During the holiday they take me to travel somewhere interesting. I have spent very nice time with them.

I really enjoy the life in Tasmania. Tasmania is a pretty fascinating paradise. I stay here as long as I can.

My name is Aashna Shreshna I came to Tasmania a few months ago. I joined the campus in the

middle of the year so that everything seems to be a real change for me. I found the campus real fun because we could choose the subjects that we wish to study for the future. I found Hobart a peaceful city with not much population so I am slowly coping with the lifestyle and the people here.


My name is Nao I'm from Japan I'm a twin. My sister is also studying in here. She is going to

Taroona High School. Last year I studied in England. This is my first time in Tasmania. I'm studying ESL1, ESL2, business studies and cooking. All the subject are difficult for me. Tasmania is very natural.

My name is Jing. I’m from China and I have been in Tasmania eight months. I’ll just talk

about my life in Hobart. I came here in September .2009 and I live in homestay. They are Filipinos. It’s a very big family and they have got 5 kids and they’re both nice people. I always go fishing and going to the party with them. Their friends also are very kind and always make me feel at home.

Hobart is not a big city. This is a quiet and small city like the countryside in China. Here doesn’t have tall buildings or the air pollution. Everything is beautiful. I prefer to take a walk in the sunshine in summer. Here has got plenty of flowers and plants in the side of the street. I just want to enjoy the nature and try my best. That seems a sweet dream. In the morning, birds call me to wake up. At noon, bees work hard and that time I also study hard. In the evening, the moon keeps company with me. I seem to live in the wonderland.

Anyway I like it here. I like the environment here and I like the people here. Everything is fine and wonderful. Here has got gorgeous views and it’s a good place to visit. Finally, thanks to my parents. Thank them for giving me a chance to study in Australia.

My name is Aki Matsumoto. I'm from Japan. I have a sister, we're twins!! She is also studying

in Tasmania.

I have many friends in Tasmania. I'm staying in homestay. My homestay is very kind and funny. I like my homestay.

I've chosen subjects are two ESLs, business and cooking. When I came to Hobart it was too hard to understand English. but now my English is getting better but I have to study more!! I've not decided about university. but I will in stay Tasmania two years.

My name is Melanie Kugler and I am from Germany. I arrived four months ago in Hobart and I

just love it. I really enjoyed my time here because the Tasmanians are really easy going and I have the best host mum in the world. We have a lot of fun together. When I decided to come to Tasmania nearly everyone was laughing about me. They were surprised why I chose a small city like Hobart for my international student year. But I had have a lot of good points for my decision and finally I am really here. I am in this small town but I am glad that I made this decision. The Tasmanians are very friendly and at the Elizabeth College I found a lot of friends. Hobart is still a small town but you can find a lot of things to do if you open your eyes and then you will enjoy your year like many international students at this beautiful place.


Cultural Celebration – The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

The students of Chinese background class celebrated a special day, the Mid-Autumn Festival together on the

22nd of September, Wednesday evening. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Moon Festival, is on the 15th day of the 8th month on the Chinese calendar, when the moon is supposedly at its fullest and roundest. It is one of the three biggest Chinese traditional festivals. The round shape of the full moon symbolises family reunion. The traditional food of this festival is the moon cake, of which there are many different varieties. The students recited the famous classic poem from Tang Dynasty and enjoyed moon cakes.

Everyone enjoying moon cake at festival celebration.

Annika Olsen Says Hello

Hi my name is Annika Olsen and I’m from Norway! I arrived in Tasmania, July 2009. The past eight months have

been the most amazing experience of my life because I have met so many great people and experienced so many amazing different things. Upon arrival in Australia I was excited at what lay ahead over the next nine months of my life, the people were so friendly and welcoming, and I really enjoyed it down here.

The school is fun because you can choose your own subjects, and nothing’s compulsory.

In Norway you don’t have as much freedom and school’s a lot more boring. People down here are really friendly and polite too, and I really, really like that. However the winter weather is not as good as I expected it to be.

I’m very thankful to be a student at this school and this has been the best year of my life by far. I’m leaving this school in a month, but I will always remember my teachers who were all very motivating and helpful, and all my experiences from down here.

Annika Olsen.

International/Exchange Students Excursion to Bonorong and Cadbury’s

We went on the school bus for the excursion. It is a long way to Bonorong Park. Bonorong is like

a zoo. When we arrived a young lady with blond hair wearing a uniform met us. She was our guide. She took us to see the wombat. The wombat was very cute and shy. The wombat’s mother was dead. The wombat has strange fur and they are not afraid of the cold. We touched his fur and it was different from the koala’s. The koala’s fur is softer than the wombat’s.

The funniest thing was feeding the wallabies. There are a lot of wallabies. We put some food on our hands and the wallabies came and ate it.

Then we left Bonorong and went to the chocolate factory. A factory worker was waiting for us. He gave everyone a bar of chocolate. Some people began to eat it immediately. It was very sweet! I like chocolate. The worker told us about the history of chocolate at Cadbury’s

factory. Finally we bought a lot of chocolate from the factory shop.

It was raining outside but I think it was an excellent excursion. We went back to class late but I think it was worth it!

Yu Fang (Jenny)

How much can a Koala bear? "Quick! Look at the camera!"


International Students' Excursion to Richmond

Yesterday we went to Richmond. It is a beautiful place. There is a famous prison and we went inside to it. There

are four or five parts that make up the prison. There is a bridge which looks very old.

Under the bridge there were plenty of ducks in the river.

There is a church on the slope. It is a serious place but it can make people happy because they can get married inside.

The teddy bear shop is a lovely shop and famous shop but it is unfortunately it is small.

We enjoyed our visit to Richmond."

Jing Cai.

Jing came to the Elizabeth Campus in September 2009. She is from Urumqi in North-West China.

Punishment for wagging classes is so cruel in Tasmania! International students bridge the cultural gap at Richmond.

Student and teacher pressed for time on busy excursion schedule.

"

Students enjoying a wide range of tastes at the International and New Resident morning tea.

Good Food & Good Company

Anyone walking on the FTC deck on Tuesday May 25th would have experienced some delicious smells

coming from the international students’ common room. May marked the week of the annual lunch for International and New Resident students.

Students brought a dish from their home country and shared it with others. There was a lot of food and it all disappeared very quickly. Here are some of the students enjoying themselves!


International Students at Richmond Village

I n t e r n a t i o n a l / E x c h a n g e S t u d e n t N e w s l e t t e r P a g e 1 0


Japanese Sister School Visit a Huge Success

From September 28 until August 9 the Elizabeth Campus hosted 15 students and two staff from our sister school

‘Hiroshima Inokuchi Senior High’. The reciprocal arrangement whereby Inokuchi visits us each year and we send a contingent of staff and students to them, has now been in operation for a period of 12 Years. We have sent over 100 students and 20 staff during this period of time, for a fantastic cultural and educational experience.

Our guests from Hiroshima enjoyed their time in Tasmania immensely and were involved in numerous activities including bushwalking and sightseeing on Tasmania’s beautiful East

Coast (Bicheno and Coles Bay), eagle hang gliding at Tahune, working with students from Lansdowne Crescent Primary and Lenah Valley Primary, and visiting Port Arthur, the Salmon Ponds, Salamanca, Mount Wellington, Cadbury, Bonnorong Park, Richmond, and Government House.

The students also got to sample a typical day at school which included lessons in cooking, Japanese, and volleyball. Many of the students commented on the excellent facilities at Elizabeth and how they would like to come here full time.

Many people contributed to the success of the tour and our thanks are extended to all of

the host families who gave up their time and energy to look after a student or staff member. We received excellent feedback from many families who believed that it was an enriching and rewarding experience for all.

Our group of 11 students and 2 staff departed for Japan on Saturday 28th of August and stayed three days in Hong Kong prior to heading to Osaka and then on to Hiroshima for a further 14 days. They had a brilliant time.

Tim MedwinStudy tour corordinator


International Students End of Year Dinner

International Students Join Gifted Program

Yukun (left) and Refat (right) jostle to get a photo with Marefu.Hey Chin Yang, that looks good – where’s mine?

The food has arrived at last! Minseop and Jaiho. Aashna and Minjing.

Two of our international students Ori (Korea) and Jing (China) have been offered places in the College’s gifted

program, ECAAD, or the Elizabeth College Advanced Academic Diploma. This offer is made to students who prove themselves to be academic, hard working and capable of continued success as they work towards their chosen career. The program is studied over two years using TCE pre-tertiary subjects. Students study English and at least one subject from three of the other National Curriculum learning areas of Mathematics, LOTE, Science, HPOR, Technology, SOSE and The Arts over their two years. Successful candidates should actively participate in a college sport, drama, music, service or representative team as offered in the College’s enrichment or sports program and take an active organisational and/or leadership role in that activity. Students attend cultural

Principal Dianne Purnell presents Ori and Jing with commendation certificates.

outings such as plays together, go on study camps and have distinguished speakers cone to their classes on a regular basis. We wish the two international students all the best in their

involvement with the program in 2011/12.

Craig CarnesAssistant Principal


Mt Field and Russell Falls Excursion

Earlier this year international and exchange students went on excursion to Mt Field and Russell Falls. Even though it was a little wet we had the opportunity to take beautiful photographs at the Falls and had a huge BBQ feast afterwards. It was a memorable and fun day.


International Students visit the Bream Creek Show

On Saturday 20 March, Heath Watts and Sue Ball took a group of international and exchange students to the Bream

Creek Show so that they could experience a real Tasmanian country show. Everyone had a great time as there were many things to see from wood chopping to sheep dog trials and animals, not to mention the giant pumpkins: this year’s winner weighed 167 kilos!

Here are some of the students’ favourite things:

• Jenny liked the woodchopping• Jing was intrigued by the ‘men in

dresses’ (kilts)• Zhenyu liked the activities to do

with sheep, the shearing and sheep dog trials• Bin and Refat liked the wood chopping,

mini-bike riders and the animals.

Another highlight of the day was Heath having to leap over the two metre campus fence to collect the mini-bus and to return it at the end of the day! Some people found this amusing, but maybe not Heath.

Heath Watts and Sue Ball

The Bream Creek Gang have a happy time. The Bream Creek Gang in front of the four metres scarecrow.

How much fun can we have with fairy floss?

The most popular country show in the world (sort of)!Annika with some of her MANY friends on the deck.

E l i z a b e t h C o l l e g e 256 Elizabeth Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7000Telephone: +61 3 62356555 Facsimile: +61 3 62312242 Website: www.academy.tas.edu.au/elizabeth

Editor: Craig Carnes Graphic Design: Dylan Oswin

Elizabeth College welcomes international and exchange students

from all over the world.

Elizabeth College Newsletter - Jan 2011

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