Spotlight on the Curriculum - Languages Department

The Languages Department has had a busy and productive start to 2026. We were pleased to welcome Sarah Baird to the team, who has been teaching junior German and quickly becoming part of the department.

A highlight of the term was the visit from the touring company Taki Rua, who performed their 3 person play, Waenga. This provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience live theatre in te reo Māori and engage more deeply with language and kaupapa in an authentic context.

We also enjoyed hosting visitors from Ichikawa, an experience that strengthened our international connections and gave students meaningful opportunities to use their language skills in real-life situations.

This week the senior German classes have enjoyed learning about Easter traditions in Germany and enjoying time with Sandra Renner for some Easter cake and immersion time. Alongside this, preparations are already underway for upcoming cultural exchanges and trips in Term 2, including the scholarship trip PASCH Jugendkurs to Germany for Henry Jin.

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome our new German Language Assistant Carolina Huettlinger next term. Their presence will further support students’ language development and cultural understanding.

For Spanish IB - food is also front of mind, as Level 1 and 2 students immerse themselves in cultural traditions, enjoying some delicious empanadas along the way.

Next term will also see senior students of te reo Māori and Te Ao Haka take part in the regional competition of Ngā Manu Kōrero which will be held in Invercargill this year.. We currently have two students preparing speeches through the Senior English and Junior Māori sections, and we look forward to supporting them as they develop their confidence and skills for this important event.

In an ever globalising and at times conflicting world we recognise the importance of cultural understanding and empathy - the ability to talk to each other with understanding as opposed to talking past one another. In addition, the rise of digital saturation means that many are crying out for the essential ability to talk face to face - skills which are highly valued in the employment sector and explicitly taught in a language classroom. As the UNESCO website states “Language is the bridge between the brain and society” - have a read of their article at “http://unesco.org/en/articles/language-matters-role-and-power-multilingualism” about the importance of language learning.