After two weeks of sightseeing in Melbourne, I have slowly settled into Ivanhoe Grammar School. I was very excited to finally go to my new school and meet everyone! (That was, until the teachers started tossing piles and piles of homework into my bag:-) I was happy I met many of Erica’s friends beforehand, so I wasn’t completely lost on the first day (I am just awful with names!)
Ivanhoe is quite different from LCC. For starters, their campus is huge! The school is so big, it actually needs two campuses: Ridgeway and Plenty. They have four tennis courts, two outdoor basketball courts, a soccer field (yes, they call it soccer here), a football field, a cricket ground, a park for the elementary school kids and even an equestrian area! I thought LCC owned a lot of land, but not compared to Ivanhoe! I have noticed Ivanhoe is not composed of a few large buildings like LCC, but lots of buildings with three or four classrooms in each. Also the most stairs I need to climb here is two steps (a nice break from LCC stairs!) Most of their lockers are outside, which I thought was bizarre but I suppose they don’t have to worry about their lockers ever freezing shut. In winter, the coldest it gets is 10°C!
Since it is warm here all year round, the students spend a lot of time outside. Every lunch and recess I sit on the grass with my friends to eat. Between classes, the students always go back to their lockers to get their books for the next subject. It’s really nice to go outside, get some fresh air and have the sunshine embrace me in warmth. We’re all “relaxing in the summer sun just letting off steam!” (Still obsessed with Frozen!) However, some days the blazing sun will literally bake us all alive.
At school, I follow Erica everywhere. The grade supervisor told me I had to “immerse” myself in their curriculum, which basically meant do all the homework. I take all of Erica’s classes, which includes French and Psychology! It’s quite entertaining to watch the students learn French at school, especially with their Australian accents! We even sang “Let It Go” in French the other day. The boys were just belting out those notes! The students in my class are quite impressed that I am fluent in French. Whenever the teacher tells a joke, I am the only one that bursts unto laughter. Since my laugh is very loud and distinct, all the students would just stare at me.
Ivanhoe also celebrated their centenary year this year. I was very honoured to be part of such a special occasion. As much as I love Ivanhoe, I am still a proud LCC lion. Next up, the zoo! – Lucia Huang ’17, Exchange Student at Ivanhoe Grammar School, Australia
