Living overseas, I think, is the best part of living. It means that I get to see lots of different people, lots of different cultures, and lots of different lifestyles. It means that I can live differently, start again, every time I move. I currently live in Jakarta, Indonesia. I live there because my Dad was transferred from China five years ago; our family moves around quite a lot. A couple of things I love about living overseas, is I get to see the world, I can travel to countries that not many people have even heard about. I also enjoy learning different languages. Since I’ve been in Indonesia for five years now, I know a bit of Bahasa Indonesia; let’s just say I know not much, but enough to get around. A couple of things I find different about living in Australia and going to school at Geelong Grammar is the way people here will just say hello to whoever passes by; in Jakarta no one says hello unless they are trying to sell you something or you know them. There are some cultural differences between here and Indonesia, one of them is the way people are in general, that is probably the biggest difference. When I go back to Jakarta, I’m going to go out to my old school for a day; I’m also going to Bali for the last week of the holidays. I can’t wait to see all of my friends, but I’ll be back at Geelong Grammar School next term. Stephanie Dodds (Year 8) I live in the capital city of Thailand, called Bangkok with all my family. Coming to school at Geelong Grammar School is very different to my old school; the Australian country is
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really different from home. There are two things that I find very different: firstly, there are lots of rules at the School and secondly, all of the students, from all of the different countries, speak very good English – this is a good thing for me to have to learn. However, an unusual thing I find in Australia is that many people also speak different languages. The culture is not too different, and lots of the activities we do here are really good, like Clean up Australia Day which was great fun. When I go back to Thailand I will meet up with my old friends and tell them all about the School, and its different people. Jin Chairatana (Year 6) I live in Singapore. I enjoy many things about Australia and going to school in an overseas country. I love it here because it is so warm and I feel secure being in this country. The two things I find different about living here are the sports we play and the food we eat. In Australia, people don’t like to be told what to do. In Singapore, we always follow the rules as best we can. When I go home I am going to spend time enjoying some rest and relaxation in Singapore. Truth Sim (Year 8) I live in the Philippines. I live there because my Dad’s job is in the Philippines. All my friends are there and I like the beaches too. I am boarding at Geelong Grammar School; in the Philippines there are no boarding schools. I am the youngest boarder in Middle School. The advantages of coming to GGS are that I am more independent because I am
a boarder. I have made a lot of really good friends. I find it unusual that Australia has been in a drought for such a long time. I hope it will rain soon. Ikumi Ojiro (Year 5) My name is Bernard, and I’m from Hong Kong. I am in Barwon House, it’s good, and without question, it’s the best House in Middle School. Barwon House is a very good place to live, because of all my friends, and the great tutors and teachers. The good thing about living in a Boarding House is that you live with your friends, and don’t have to go through the boring process of going to school by bus every day. All the students help each other and you get good support. Bernard Chu (Year 8) Tony Inkster Head of Middle School 1. Sam Sharp (Yr5 Hi) enjoys the Probability Activity during the Year 5 Discovery Day. 2. And the band played on... L to R: Peter Bunyaratavej (Yr8 Bb), Jack Edgar (Yr6 Bw), Stephanie Dodds (Yr8 Cn), Andy Zhang (Yr6 Bw), Gavin Bunyaratavej (Yr8 Bb) and Carter Harris- Smith (Yr8 Hi) take a break from rehearsal. 3. L to R: Oscar Salt, Eggat Amran Bin Mohamed Khir, Maxim Whittasalea and Sam Weston (Yr8 Bb) get ready to hit the sporting field for a training session. 4. Middle School students taking part in physical activity. 5. L to R: Ellen Beaumont, Brianna McCaffrey and Sophie Batten from Connewarre House enjoy the celebration at Founders Day. 6. Smile everyone! Our Year 5/6 girls Netball Team enjoy time together at the end of the season.
visit our website: www.ggs.vic.edu.au for the latest Middle School News
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