1. Torquay College P-9
Weaving Asian understandings into our curriculum

2. Introduction School Audit of staff knowledge and skills
Formation of Asian Studies committee
Audit of school curriculum
Audit of school resources
Curriculum planning and new initiatives
Applications for grants and travel by teachers
Documentation of our initiatives and programs
Celebration and sharing of our achievements

3. Environmental studies
In Art and Science units students link their research on Endangered species and the ocean. Students are currently working on the 2010 Quiksilver Science Challenge recording the impact of urban growth on the ocean and marine life in the region.

4. Science
Year 8 research projects focused on environmental and social issues from our region i.e. Orang Flores/ komodo dragons/ turtles/ volcanoes/ palm oil/ orang-utans

5. Humanities
Year 7 students attended workshops at Ceres on fair trade and sustainable practices focusing on Australia’s relationship with its trading partners. The knowledge acquired in these talks is applied to the café program and the ethos of the school.

6. Café project
Students at all levels are introduced to the tastes of the world through their studies of the traditions and rituals linked to the production of food. Each year level researches a country in depth and presents the results of their investigations at a sit down banquet for their peers. A highlight for all involved.

7. Year 8 Japanese lunch

8. Year 7 Indonesian lunch

9. Garden & Cafe
Year 7 & 8 students have established garden beds of Asian vegetables and planted fruit trees to supply the ingredients required for the café program.

10. Indigenous studies
Year 7 students explored the historical links between Australia and her neighbours and looked for ways to establishing new connections. Students are currently developing work for a print exchange first with top end Indigenous communities and then with Timor.

11. Drama
The 2010 Year 7 play is The Churning of the Oceans, an ancient Hindu story depicted on the walls of Angkor Wat. Students will create music, story and props.

12. History
To support the Japanese café project and the ancient civilization project in English. Students visited the National Gallery of Victoria to research ancient Chinese ceramics and Japanese art .

13. Year 8 Technology
Year 8 students have acquired new skills in wood, metal and textiles. these were used in the creation of Batik and the building traditional Indonesian houses.

14. Film Club
At the weekly film club students share their favourite foreign language films with their peers. This is a student initiative and a popular lunch time event.

15. Cross age tutoring
Throughout the year visiting experts mentor the secondary students, who in turn share skills and knowledge with junior students.

16. Intercultural understanding
We are currently working to establish a sister school in Indonesia and plan to host exchange students in the coming year. Four of the staff have recently returned from a study tour in Indonesia. The shared experiences and knowledge are now being presented across the curriculum.

17. School partnership with East Timor
Torquay College is a member of the Geelong-Viqueque Friendship Schools Project and actively supports a buddy school in East Timor. So far, students in grades 5/6 have developed an increasing awareness of living conditions in their neighbouring country through regular events such as the Student Forum on East Timor or the flag-raising Ceremony commemorating East Timor’s independence.

18. Asia Week
A whole school celebration once a year encourages students of all ages to immerse themselves in the food, games and culture of the many diverse countries across Asia. This year for the first time, each year level spent a whole week on integrated activities on a particular Asian country. The Prep grades travelled to India, grades 1/2 explored Asian scientists, grades 3/4 learned about Japan, grades 5/6 broadened their knowledge on East Timor, and years 7 and 8 had a taste of Indonesia. The week culminated in a dress-up day to raise funds for our East Timorese buddy school.

19. NALSSP ICT Grant Improving LOTE learning outcomes through technology
The LOTE Department has received a A$ 5000 grant to participate in an action research program to enhance Indonesian learning outcomes through the use of ICT and Web 2.0 tools. So far, 9 Flip Cams have been purchased to involve grade 5/6 students in an Indonesian language project on presenting their school life to students at our potential sister school in Indonesia.