French is experiencing significant growth at Matthew Flinders Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast with enrolments in the subject having doubled over the past four years and more than a quarter of Years 8 to 10 students selecting French as an elective for 2025.
In 2025, the College introduced French instruction in the Prep year, expanding its offering from a previous start in Year 3. Students study French and Japanese from Prep through to Year 7 as a core subject, and then have the option to choose the subjects as electives until Year 12.
In 2024, 11 Flinders students in Year 12 completed Senior French, representing 8% of the cohort, compared to the state average of 1.2%.
Notably, three of the College's four students who achieved the highest ATAR of 99.95 in recent years had studied Senior French, underscoring its academic benefits.
Students are also putting their skills to the test beyond the classroom, with six students representing Flinders at the Sunshine Coast University Language Speech competition on 31 August. The students achieved three 1st place medals and two High Distinctions.
Impressively, Year 11 student Stella Hastie achieved the top award at the competition for the Senior School Division. Stella has represented Flinders over the past four years, demonstrating great dedication!
Flinders alumni also exemplify the program's long-term impact, such as Chris Ktenidis (Flinders Class of 2021) who is pursuing a PhD in Mathematics at the Sorbonne in Paris, conducting his research in French; and Charlie Hall (Flinders Class of 2012) who is working as a consultant medical sonographer while also completing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at St George’s City University of London.
Charlie speaks multiple languages fluently, including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and German.
Charlie said, “One of my role models was my French teacher at Flinders, Miss Jane Boussalem. I remember in Year 8 being so inspired by the ability to communicate in another language. Miss Boussalem inspired me and encouraged me... This is something for which I am forever grateful – as French and the skill of learning a language has opened many doors for me in life, including important friendships, job opportunities and the ability to live overseas.”
The Benefits of Starting Languages From Prep
Head of Curriculum Mr Bill Hooper noted that an early Prep start in languages aims to leverage children's natural language acquisition abilities at a younger age.
“Learning a second language is proven to develop communication skills and boost learning literacy in the learner’s first language, which is why French and Japanese instruction are an important part of the Flinders curriculum,” Mr Hooper said.
“A Prep start enables our Primary students to cover the whole of the new version of the Australian Curriculum at depth, which supports them to be better prepared for the transition to Secondary.
“Our students are also fortunate to be guided by expert staff in our Languages Department, including two native French-speaking teachers on staff: the long-serving Madame Boussalem who hails from Strasbourg in the Alsace and Madame Caroline Bowie from Normandy.”
The College offers international exchange opportunities where students are able to immerse in foreign languages and cultures. In 2025, 29 Year 10 students participated in cultural exchanges to cities worldwide, including Paris, through the College’s Round Square certification. Year 12 student Lucy S, fluent in French, is preparing for an exchange to Kenya and has her sights set on working at the United Nations.
Studying French at the Senior level may also provide Queensland students with adjustment factors, or bonus points, that can enhance their Selection Rank for university entry, potentially improving their competitiveness for certain courses.
COMPETITION RESULTS | Sunshine Coast University Language Speech competition, 31 August 2025
Flinders was represented by six students at this year's Sunshine Coast University Language Speech competition.
All students presented with pride and challenged themselves.
Place medals were achieved by the following students:
Year 11 student Stella H achieved the top award for the Senior School Division.
Year 7: Jeremy G won 1st place Gold
Year 8: Fynn K won 1st place Gold
Year 8: Noah G and Sebastian B were awarded High Distinctions
Year 8: Thomas McF participated strongly, particularly in accent.
For more information about the curriculum and co-curricular opportunities at Flinders, visit mfac.edu.au
