Bilingual bonus

Leichhardt’s Italian Bilingual School, located in the Casa d’Italia, is amongst the latest to receive largesse from the Federal Government, with Federal Member for Grayndler and Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese announcing a grant of $586,000 for the school. The money will go towards building refurbishment (including two new classrooms) and expansion of resources.

Established in 2002, the school has experienced rapid growth, from an initial intake of just seven students, to the present 133. “This funding could not have come at a better time,” said school principal Robert Ruggeri. “Our school has been growing each year and we need more space and resources to accommodate the students in 2010.”

Although the money will be used to expand the current premises, the school retains long-term plans to move to a larger site overall. “We are still evaluating the feedback received from the Land and Environment Court and aiming to prepare a revised Development Application with Ashfield Council to secure the Yasmar site for our school in the future,” said Mr Ruggeri.

The school has carved out a niche for itself in the local area, via its fully bilingual curriculum. President of the Parents and Friends Committee, Daniel Bretag, has a child in Year 2. “We’re non-Italian speaking parents so it’s a big challenge for our daughter Lola to learn a second language,” he said. “But the other day, she talked to the merchant at the local fruit market in Italian, and he was astounded at her ability. We, as parents, get a big buzz out of that.”

The school’s program recently featured a three-week study tour in Italy for eight students, visiting areas such as central Italy, Siena, Assisi, Perugia and Spoleto. “The kids are privileged to have this access to key political figures and educational experiences in Italy,” Mr Bretag said. “The influence this has on children of that age cannot be underestimated.”