Heidi Kraak
Taking theatre sport to a whole new level, three schools from across Gippsland battled it out on Thursday with plays they had prepared with the only catch being everything they said had to be in German.
Hosted by the German Club Astoria Morwell, the games are designed to encourage the learning of the German language.
Students from Marist-Sion College Warragul, Mirboo North Secondary College and Bairnsdale Secondary College participated in the competition with defending champions Marist-Sion College falling to the team from Mirboo North.
It was Mirboo North’s first win in seven years and the students were very proud of themselves.
Competition judge Egon Luetjens said students were tasked with writing and performing their own plays, however teachers could help translate if necessary.
“The [competition] was created years ago when the demand for German was very high,” he said.
“We judge [the plays] in terms of language and expression. The plays are short, only five to 10 minutes.
“We are turning to a more Asian focus [in schools] now, but we used to have a lot of German exchange students … they used to visit each other, but the traditions are becoming less and less.”
Gippsland German Teachers Network member Zoe Stokes largely organised the event and said students had got a lot out of preparing for the event and performing their plays in German.
“It is great for students to practice their German and also to network with other students,” she said.
“Schools in Gippsland can be so isolated, so it is good for them to get together.”
Ms Stokes wished to thank the two judges, Egon Luetjens and Astrid Jankowski, and the Goethe-Institut, Melbourne, for donating prizes for the students.
The competition involves prize money, which is split between the schools, donated by deceased German Club Astoria Morwell member Rudi Hess who bequeathed money to the club to foster the speaking of the German language in Gippsland.
The club will host similar games on Friday involving poetry written by students instead of plays.
For more information about the German Club Astoria Morwell visit germanclubastoriamorwell.com.au.
