By Ewen McRae
Springside West Secondary College may have only introduced Italian classes this year, but they’re already having an impact.
The school entered 73 students in a statewide Italian poetry competition run by Swinburne University recently, and while several students received special commendations, the efforts of two stood out.
Year 7 student Christian came fourth in his section, while Isabella took out the top prize for year 8. Italian teacher Trish Testa said it was a proud day for the school and students.
“Poetry is pretty important in the Italian language,” Ms Testa said.
“So this was an opportunity for the students to challenge themselves, and to get this sort of recognition for the work the students have done is great.
“These kids worked towards this for four weeks, some kids took time out of their lunchtime to get help with it, so they really applied themselves and got the results.”
Ms Testa said the performances showed the young school, which is nearing the end of its second year, was doing plenty right.
“We’re really serious about what we offer here at the school … we want to give these students opportunities like this as often as we can.”
