During first semester, children all over Western Australia were challenged to look out for "Languages in the Landscape", take a photograph of what they found and write about their find, discussing the language, the meaning of the words, why it was placed where it was and their personal response to seeing this language in the landscape.
There were two sections to the competition this year as 2019 is the International Year of Indigenous Languages, so the Modern Language Teachers' Association of Western Australia (MLTAWA), which organised the competition, made two sections - one for Aboriginal Languages and one for any other language the students could find.
Five students from Northam Primary School entered the competition and all were successful in being shortlisted as State Finalists, so were invited to a special Languages Week Event in Perth on Wednesday, August 7, at which the prizes were announced.
Northam PS took out almost all the Primary Division prizes.
In the Aboriginal Languages Section, First Place was awarded to Charlotte Christmass, Year 4, with Equal Second Place being taken by Connor Ryall, Year 6, and Natalia Ryall, Year 5.
The General Languages Section saw Lilly Clifford, Year 4, awarded First Place, Lané Stain, Year 5, gain Second Place and Connor Ryall, Year 6, and Natalia Ryall, Year 5, again share the Third Place.
The students received monetary prizes for their efforts as well as iTunes vouchers for being State Finalists.
Unfortunately, Connor was unable to attend the Awards Presentation as he was at the annual Year 6 School Camp for the week.
Congratulations Northam Primary School students on an excellent effort.
Lynne Rockliff is a Languages Specialist at Northam Primary School.