1. Mentone Girls’ Grammar School Fran Reddan
Engaging with Asia
Mentone Girls’ Grammar School
Fran Reddan

2. Initial Phases Rationale for increased Asia focus provided to:
School Council
Teaching Staff
Parents (via Bulletin articles)
Curriculum audit and validation

3. Key Actions
Languages review – resulting in introducing Japanese form Prep, commencing 2011
Senior Humanities Review
Rearranged Year 7 & 8 courses to move Asian content closer to commencement of units (so it would not be omitted if time ran out)
China Study tours – Principal & Vice Principal
Hosted an Indian Principal

4. PYP Program Units of Inquiry include: Celebrations (cross cultural)
My big world
We believe
Tell me a story
Rights of the child
Asian Perspectives
Japanese language introduced

5. Years 7 & 8 English Issues: Racism & cultural diversity in Australia .
Humanities: Ancient China; Asia-Pacific Nations. Medieval Japan.
Music / art: Japanese /Chinese folk music, Takarazura musicals, & Shadow Puppets; Kite making .
Science: The maglev train.

6. Years 9 & 10
English: Asia-related texts – Growing up Asian in Australia and First the killed my Father.
RAVE: Comparative studies of Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism & Islam.
Business Studies: Global Economics – Asia; Work in Asia.
Music:& Art Pentatonic melodies & cross cultural links, Lino cut prints in Asian style.
Humanities Asia-related themes including: Population, migration, China one-child policy. Japan – rise of totalitarianism. Chinese immigration 19th C. Disasters.
Japanese: Japanese youth movies – Sumo do, Sumo don’t; Swing Girls; Water Boys
IT: Kung Fu, Hong Kong, & Chinese movies.

7. VCE English – The Kite Runner and related contexts
RAVE – Refugee/migrant Program, involving young Asian women sharing stories with our Year 11 students.
Guest Speakers – Dr. Melika Sheikh-Eldin about Refugee experiences & re-settlement.
International Events – focus on Asia through events such as International Women’s Day festival.
Japan Study Tour - for students of Japanese
English:
Themes of conflict and identity
Relevant texts: The Kite Runner and Growing up Asian in Australia

8. Future Actions & Plans Australian Curriculum
Revise Asia-related content in line with Australian Curriculum rollout.
Improve Clarity of intent
Teachers to work to achieve a clearer expression of Asia-related content in units of work.
Address Scope and Sequence in Asia –related content
How it relates to rest of work at the year level
How it fits into the development across year levels
Overseas links:
Consolidate link with Soshin in Japan
Establish Chinese sister school link (teacher exchange & student visits)
Language Offerings:
Consolidate and develop Junior Japanese program
Increase Mandarin

9. 10 things we’ve learned
“Asia” is very broad – start small and go for quality (L21CSV)
Make a long term commitment – scope & sequence/ tapestry
Keep abreast of the impact of Asia in our Australian society
Build on what already exists in the school
Value a global perspective
Communicate regularly (help to “join the dots”)
Encourage a broad interest in Asia from staff
Invest in key staff to help support teams
Consider the scope of any school partnerships
Enjoy getting to know more about other people and cultures and share this with others.