On Dec. 11, Australian ex-change teacher Robyn Horvath, during her final two weeks at FHS, worked with a group of second graders from St. Matthew’s School. Before returning to Australia, Horvath helped little hands turn the lumps of clay into their own personal masterpieces, along with help from the “big kids.” “It was a good opportunity for the high school students to work on a different level,” said Horvath. “It also let the second graders come to the high school and experience a day with the bigger kids.” As rambunctious as kids can be, this was a relaxing way for Horvath to spend her last two weeks here at FHS. “Because I’ve gotten to know the students in my classes so well,” said Horvath. “I could relax and trust them to be caring and responsible adults.” Horvath and her friend, St. Matthew’s second grade teacher Mary Thompson, came up with the idea of the inter-age project earlier this year. They thought it would be a good opportunity because the second graders had been studying Australia and have worked with high school students in the “writing buddies” programs. “They love big kids,” said Thompson. “When I told them we were going to the high school, they were so excited.” “My other field trips were kind of boring,” said second-grader Julie Larson. “This is the most cool of all the trips ‘cause I get to know more big kids and what it’ll be like when I’m in high school. This is the most fun in my life.” The high-schoolers, for their parts, also enjoyed the interaction with their younger counterparts. “The best part is what they consider ‘pretty,’ even when the clay is all lumpy,” said junior Ellie Thompson. “It was something different, out of the ordinary,” said senior Jennifer Jones. Over the past few months, Horvath’s Australian touch has given students new knowledge and experiences. In return, Horvath received knowledge of American culture from the students of Flathead High. “Her phrases are always different,” said junior Karee McBroom. “She says things like ‘Pack up time!’ and ‘All your waste in the rubbish bin!’” Horvath feels her exchange is a worldly life experience. She hopes to have planted some kind of “seed” in students traveling in who seldom travel. She invites her current students at Flathead to visit her if they ever go to Australia, and also looks forward to visits from FHS graduates who reside in Australia. “The students have become my best friends,” said Horvath. “It’s the students I’ll miss and hopefully I’ll see many of them in Australia.” |
