Success in Languages

By Elaine Kelly | Posted: Thursday September 13, 2018

Alliance Française Concours Orale – 2nd place in Year 10

On Saturday 8th September, eight boys from years 9 -11 set off to the Languages Department of Otago University to participate in the annual Concours Orale organised by the Alliance Française de Dunedin. There were around fifty competitors in total from Otago and Southland.

In the Year 10 category Moss Pelvin took 2nd place overall, with a fantastic score of 18/20. A further 4 boys gained a mention of "Excellence" and 3 gained "Très Bien". Not all competitors gain a mention and OBHS took out 40% of the "Excellence" certificates and 27% of the "Tres bien" endorsed certificates available for this competition. Therefore all 8 boys who competed gained some kind of award.

In particular, special mention should be made of Alex Wagstaff in Year 9 ("Très Bien") who had only just completed 7 weeks of learning French but who was determined to compete. Alex was up against students from other schools who have already done at least 6 months of French. He should truly be commended for his courage and perseverance in giving it a go - the only year 9 boy to volunteer to represent the school.

Also competing were:

Aramis Fitzgerald – “Excellence” Year 11
Abdul Adam - “Excellence” Year 11
Caleb Marr - "Très Bien" Year 11
Boudewijn Keenan - “Excellence” Year 10
Jack Power - “Excellence” Year 10
Louis Sabonadiere - "Très Bien" Year 10

Otago University Languages and Culture Cup – 2nd Place

On Tuesday 11th September a team of four boys from Otago Boys’ won second place in this annual competition. Nine teams from different schools around Dunedin competed and it was a closely fought battle with OBHS leading in the first two rounds before being narrowly pipped at that post in round three. Boys had the opportunity to meet language students from all over Dunedin, have conversations with students and lecturers from Otago University and they were also treated to some spectacular Japanese drumming as well as a generous spread of finger food including sushi, samosas, sandwiches and mini quiche.

Our team, “The Kings of the Castle” were Moritz Schueller, Aramis Fitzgerald, Nicolas Baldoncini and Hongbo Wang.

Great effort boys!

Image Gallery