Building Futures - Merici College

Foreign ConnectionsEuropeMerici Family visit their Italian daughterWhen Francesca flew back to Italy we all experienced sucha wrench. Then and there we decided that we had to startplanning a family holiday to Italy to be with our beautiful‘daughter’ again and meet her family. The perfect timewas over the Christmas/New Year holidays. We arrived inCerignola (South eastern Italy - the ‘ankle’ of the boot) onthe 21 December 2011 and stayed with Francesca and herfamily for a week of celebrations. We learned how to cookauthentic Italian food and discovered how good Italian coffeetastes. We also picked up some Italian words while sharing ourAussie lingo.Our first sight of Italian exchange student, Francesca Alfieri,was at the Canberra airport one evening. She looked likea scared little girl and did not understand what we weresaying, as we tend to speak too quickly, especially when weare excited.Over the weeks we watched Francesca blossom into thebubbly, bouncy young lady that she is when in her hometown of Cerignola, Italy. She grew more confident, dug aplace into our hearts and became a true member of ourfamily, a daughter.Experiencing Christmas with our Italian family was anamazing experience.. They were the most generous, lovingpeople and we have now adopted each others families. I cansee our relationship growing over the years as we watch ourlovely girls grow into well- rounded and successful women.Entering into the Merici Italian exchange program was one ofthe best decisions our family has ever made.Thank you MericiJoy McGaheyMother of Audrey McGahey Year 11French Film FestivalEvery year the Alliance Française holdsthe French Film Festival (AFFFF)which runs for five weeks over Marchand April. This year, we were fortunateenough to secure screenings for the year8-12 French students.The Year 8 students saw a hilarious familycomedy called Ducoboo. It’s about theworst possible student imaginable – witha nice twist at the end! The Year 9 and 10students saw War of the Buttons. This wasa fantastic remake of a classic from the1960s. The Year 11 and 12 students sawa beautiful film called The Well-digger’sDaughter, another remake of a classic,made in 1940.The students and teachers thoroughlyenjoyed the excursion and look forwardto seeing what the AFFFF brings to ourscreens next year.Pip HoermannLanguages TeacherTEACHER PROFILESHannahCareyHaving attendedMerici Collegeas a student fromyear 7-12, I amdelighted to beback, teachingDance, Drama and Religion. I am alsoenjoying being a PC teacher in my oldhouse, Seiwa. After graduating from thecollege I took myself off on a gap year toEngland where I spent time working in aboarding school and travelling throughoutEurope, an experience I found invaluable.Following my year abroad, I commencedstudy at The University of New South Walesin Sydney, and gained a Bachelor of Arts(Dance) and a Bachelor of Education. Forthe past three years I have been teachingDance and Drama at Kingscliff High School,located on the Far North Coast of NSW.I thoroughly enjoyed my time up therehowever, I am very happy to be home andam looking forward to a great year at Merici!AlisonStevenIn 2011, Icompleteda Bachelorof Teaching(Secondary) atCharles SturtUniversity. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts andBachelor of Economics from ANU. I haveover ten years’ experience in the Bankingand Finance industry, having worked inboth Sydney and Canberra. My role as aBusiness Banking Manager expanded mybusiness knowledge and developed myskills in client services, financial analysis andbanking practices. I have always been drawnto teaching and was a volunteer tutor for sixyears before embarking on my new career.I completed my secondary teaching prac atMerici College mid last year and am thrilledto be on staff, teaching Year 9 Geographyand Year 9/10 Consumer Education thisyear.15