HILLCREST High School (HHS) recently hosted delegates from the German Embassy in South Africa and the Goethe Institute in Pretoria, giving them an opportunity to experience the language skills of learners from the German Language department. Learners from Grades 10, 11 and 12 delivered an interesting and diverse programme to the visitors – all in German.

“We were very pleased to welcome back Frau Katharina Quicker, Educational Services Project Lead, and Frau Tina Heffernan, Pasch Administrator, both from the Goethe Institute, and to meet Herr Maarten Menger, the Cultural and Protocol representative from the German Embassy,” said Hillcrest High School principal Denise Knight. “Our German Language learners clearly impressed the visitors with their presentations, opening the conversation for how we can continue to work together, providing additional opportunities to our learners to study and work in Germany.”

As part of their three-day visit, the Goethe Institute representatives, Frau Quicker and Frau Heffernan, were also at HHS to assist learners and German Subject Head, Ilse Bothma, with preparations for the FIT examinations. These examinations are essential for learners who are interested in studying or working in Germany after school.

HHS is one of three Pasch-Schulen in South Africa – an initiative established in partnership with the Goethe Institute to create and support interest in German language learning in schools and beyond.

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Learners who study German as a language at HHS are afforded many opportunities, including competing annually to attend an all expenses paid Summer Camp in a German city, access to tertiary education opportunities at partner universities, including the Furtwangen University which has campuses across Germany,  future career prospects and “Ausbildung” – opportunities where learners can complete practical work experience and study simultaneously in Germany post matric.

Currently, two HHS learners, Daniel Joubert and Siya Radebe, are studying at Furtwangen University in the Black Forest, Germany. Another past pupil, Charl Botha, having successfully passed his B2 examination, will join them in the new semester. These three young men also contributed valuable insights during interviews conducted as part of the presentations.

The visit served to strengthen these bonds and included a presentation from the Goethe Institute representatives to parents and learners at HHS who are interested in pursuing the possibility of studying or working in Germany and the chance to view the German exhibitions displayed in the school library.

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