Scotch College

Germany: A land of many colours

In Term 1 boys in Years 4–6 were engaged in the making of a German puzzle game, which required them to assemble the 16 states of Germany, highlighting a land of contrasts, with cuckoo clocks and luxury automobiles, fairy tales and operas, thick forests and glittering skyscrapers.

Short video snippets were shown and interesting stories shared in the classroom, which sparked a great deal of enthusiasm and made a penpal connection much more desirable for the boys.

Who would not want to see the white walls of Neuschwanstein Castle rising from the ledge near a beautiful waterfall and surrounded by the craggy peaks of the Bavarian Alps? Perhaps one could even find out more about the mysterious death of king Ludwig II of Bavaria. Did he drown or was it suicide? No one knows.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Who would not want to visit the River Rhein lined by ancient castles once controlled by powerful lords who were little more than thieves forcing every ship to pay a high toll? Those who couldn’t pay were attacked and their ships sunk. The lords are gone but their castles remain.

Perhaps one could find out more about the Lorelei, a beautiful but deadly water spirit. Her voice is said to have been astounding, calling to lonely sailors on passing ships. The sailors followed the mysterious song only to crash on the rocks below the cliff where she sat to comb her golden hair.

Who would not want to find out more about the city of Berlin and talk to people who lived for nearly thirty years with a wall dividing their city?

The German Autobahn has as many as eight lanes in urban areas and four lanes even in the countryside; so knowing that it is only eight hours from one end of Germany to the other, it became clear to our boys that no matter in which state their penpal might live, travel in Germany would be easy, especially when there are no speed limits.

With nine parcels gone to various states in Germany, the boys are now eagerly awaiting a reply from their penpals, hoping to establish long-lasting friendships and, one day, see all the beauties that Germany has to offer.

CORNELIA KOEHNE-DRUBE
Head of Junior School, LOTE