Year 9 Italian Immersion- Zoo Camp 2026

March 13, 2026

The Year 9 Italian Immersion Class recently attended the inaugural Zoo Camp as part of their studies in Geography, immersing themselves in language while exploring the different forest and desert biomes recreated at the Botanic Gardens and at the Zoo.

At the Botanic Gardens we completed a biomes trail, learning about special characteristics of different plants and how they have adapted to suit their conditions. We also saw Venetian-glass inspired works by Chihuly as well as an art exhibition by Australian-Italian artist Giuseppe Matteo Pappalardo, whose ceramic pieces explore how the meaning and value of plants shift when they cross borders: In the Mediterranean, olives and prickly pears are cultural symbols of nourishment and beauty, embedded in the culture, cuisine, and history of the region; whereas in South Australia, they’re considered invasive weeds. His art connects migration and adaptation, and reflects messages about belonging, resilience, and coexistence from a different perspective.

At the Zoo, special night and early morning tours provided a different perspective to the daytime activities. The students loved watching the animals and were particularly amused by a very cheeky goat who decided to eat someone’s homework. Literally! At dinner time we were treated to a special alfresco dining experience, surrounded by the sounds of the animals after closing time.

Despite the very humid and warm conditions, the students demonstrated incredible perseverance and curiosity, using their Italian skills to deepen their understanding of biomes and the importance of conservation. Their willingness to be risk takers, become more knowledgeable and caring was evident as they learned about the adaptations of plants and animals in different biomes in addition to the threats caused by human impact, and created their own Italian videos using what they had learned. They kept walking despite the heat and even sang in Italian on the bus there and back!