Young and Aware
by John Clarke
Generation after generation, as long as history has been recorded, the young have been called lazy, interested only in themselves and what pleasure they can find, lacking responsibility and commitment.
At the last meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen the guest speakers were Hannah, Wanda and Maria, German exchange students who are currently studying and learning about Australian ways and idiosyncracies at Nuriootpa High School.
They began naturally with a discussion of the differences in the schooling systems. They explained the different pathways that are offered to German students: practical training, leading to employment, in the Realschulen or academic courses, preparing them for
university study, in the Gymnasien.
The school day too is different. The all day attendance at Nuriootpa High they found strange. In Germany the daily schedule is looser with students’ attending only when their subjects are offered.
While their study is important, Hannah, Wanda and Maria are clearly aware of issues that not only affect them now, but will affect them, all Germans and people around the world into the future. They commented on the political situation in Germany, where the
Alternative for Germany (AFD), a far right, nationalist party, has gained seats in state parliaments.
They described their participation in Fridays for Future (also known as School Strike for the Climate). Begun by Greta Thunberg in 2018, the youth led movement encourages students to forget their studies for a day, leave school and protest against political
inaction on climate change and demand that the fossil fuel industry transition to renewable energy. (The largest climate strike in world history took place on Friday, 20 September 2019 when approximately 4 million protesters, mainly children, took to the
streets world-wide. 1.4 million were German schoolchildren.)
The students’ participation in Kaffee und Kuchen was organised by Mrs Haylie Cooke, teacher of German at Nuriootpa High School. They were accompanied also by Mrs Caroline Bey, Humanities and Social Sciences Curriculum Leader.
The next meeting of Kaffee und Kuchen, held at the Langmeil Centre, 7 Maria Street, Tanunda, will have a Christmas theme. It will be preceded at 12 midday by a German luncheon. Those wishing to attend the luncheon should contact Steffi Traeger (0408 621 384). Cost $25 per person, which includes Kaffee und Kuchen.