FRENCH BILINGUAL PROGRAM
New resources
Thanks to your voluntary contributions towards the Primary French Bilingual Program, we have been able to purchase a set of dictionaries. Learning to use the dictionary and order words in alphabetical order is part of the Year 2 & Year 3 French curriculum.
New French learning assistants
As well as having a full-time French teacher aide in our Prep class we have now also welcomed two new French learning assistants, Florence and Celine. Florence and Celine will be working with our Years 1 to Year 3. Learning assistants provide invaluable in-class support in the form of small group work and one-on-one support to students.
French Bilingual Teachers recruitment process
We acknowledge and understand the families’ feelings of uncertainty and concerns around the recruitment of French Teachers.
It has been frustrating — for students, for families, and certainly for us as a school. We want to assure you that we are not only aware of the impact these changes have had, but we are also actively and urgently working to stabilise the situation.
While many factors remain outside of our immediate control, we are continually advocating strongly at every level — locally and systemically — for long-term staffing solutions.
We are actively working to appoint a French-speaking teacher who meets the Department of Education’s requirements, for a position in our French Bilingual Program.
These include:
- Native-level fluency in French
- Successfully passing the academic IELTS English language assessment or ISLPR
- Holding the appropriate working visa
Only then can a candidate apply for teacher registration with the Queensland College of Teachers and submit an application through the official Queensland State Schools recruitment system.
We share this detail to help you understand the complexities involved and to reassure you that our priority remains to find a permanent, qualified teacher who can meet the high standards of our bilingual program.
Secondary students' excursion to ‘Les Misérables’
Next week a small group of secondary students from the French Bilingual Program and some students who learn French as a second language will be going to see the musical of the French classic ‘Les Miserables’. Thank you to our French Bilingual Progam teacher Laury Perombelon and the secondary Head of Languages, Gerri Courtney for your initiative and work to make this excursion possible.
Meeting with Anne Genetet
On Thursday 24 April, I had the privilege of meeting Anne Genetet, Member of Parliament for French citizens abroad (11th constituency) and former Minister of Education, during her visit to Brisbane. This meeting, facilitated by the Honorary Consul of France in Brisbane, Alain Etchegaray, was part of her meeting with French associations in Brisbane and provided a fantastic opportunity to share about our French Bilingual Program and its expansion into Whites Hill State College.
French Theatre
The Brisbane French Theatre has a new play coming this winter!
“Big news—Brisbane French Theatre is making its long-awaited return!
Mark your calendars for 19, 20, and 21 June 2025 for a full-scale theatre production performed entirely in French, with English subtitles projected above the stage: Du foie gras sous le sapin (“Eat your heart out”)
It’s been nearly three years since our last big show, and we’re beyond excited to bring you an unforgettable night of French theatre.”
More info and bookings on their website: https://brisbanefrenchtheatre.org/whats-on/
Le Festival
Mark your calendars, Le Festival will be back in Southbank from July 4th to 6th this year.
Information on this year’s event will be available on their website: www.lefestival.com.au
Emma Van Cuylenberg
Head of Department – French Bilingual Program | Coordinatrice du programme bilingue français