SCHOOL AND STUDENT NEWS
- News Archive (Past News)

SYDNEY HARBOUR CRUISE & BUFFET LUNCH - Friday 15th August 2008

Today was a really good day for me. The cruise was so beautiful and the view was fantastic. It was my first time that I had lunch on a cruise and it was a really nice experience for me. I enjoyed to spend time talking to my friends and taking many beautiful pictures. I'd like to repeat this experience again. I think Maewill organised many interesting excursions since I came to Australia and it's very good for us students because we have the opportunity to visit beautiful places and do some interesting things.
Luz from Peru
I enjoyed the cruise! It provided a beautiful view of the city and the weather was just great! I recommend this excursion to everybody the next time!
Flavia from Brazil
We had a great day today, we met at the College at 11 a.m. and divided into two groups. We took the bus to the city and made a little walk to Darling Harbour to take the Fusion Cruise. It was really nice, as soon as we got on the cruise, we ate Asian food, after that we enjoyed the beautiful view of the city, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and everything else. The weather was also nice, feeling the wind in the face and the beautiful sun completed the whole landscape.
When we returned to the shore, everybody was happy, it was a great day!
Martha from Peru
I like this cruise because it was enjoyable. The feeling of the boat with the wind in your hair was incredible, you can almost feel like you are flying. Firstly I was disappointed because I thought that the boat would be too crowded, however, we all fit in and had a wonderful time.
Mili from Serbia

 
- More photos here

INDOOR SPORT - Friday 22nd August 2008

Today we went to DEE WHY sports centre. Although it is raining, we are very happy. There are many sports for example, table tennis, tennis, basketball, squash, pool and so on. We like it there because we like sports. We want to go there again. We want to play tennis next time. Sports is good for our health. I hope school can hold interesting activities like this again.
Seven and Jason, from China
I guess each time doing something new with different people you can learn a lot of things. Today I've been playing squash with some friends from Maewill and I really liked it. I like sports and I believe if you can do it with someone who you like, you may have a perfect day !!! Thank you for this amazing day !!!
Thomas, from Brazil
Today we ventured to Courtsportz at Dee Why. Due to the weather we were unable to play volleyball, tennis or mini-golf, but we were still able to play squash and basketball. No-one except Vanda seemed to know the rules of squash...and most people ended up swapping their squash balls for tennis balls, which were much easier to hit! While we played squash, the boys worked on their slam dunks on the basketball court. 
Bonnie, from Maewill

 
-More photos here

GOLD COAST STUDENTS - Thursday 14th August 2008

 
-Click on photo for larger image

Here is a recent photo of some staff and students at Maewill Gold Coast, who are happy to be enjoying the warmer weather up north.

BEIJING OLYMPICS 080808

MAEWILL BEACH OLYMPICS - Friday 08th August 2008

This BBQ and school Olympic games were my first activities with my friends from school and I enjoyed it a lot. It was good to be all together on the beach, it was a lot of fun. We are all different nationalities so we can teach and learn about different cultures and practice our English all the time. I liked this activity because it's not just about school and studying but about having fun!
Monika, from Slovakia
Today we were at a BBQ, it was very funny and I enjoyed it very much because we played different kind of games. It was wonderful to share all these games with my school mates. The BBQ was at Dee Why beach and we had a beautiful view of the sea. Thanks for this amazing day!
Diego, from Colombia
Sun, surf, a beautiful beach and the amazing aroma of Aimee's BBQ team at work! What a wonderful way to have English lessons, both for the students and the teachers, at the Maewill beach Olympics. After teams were organised and first "warm-up" relay took place, Eleandro showed the way by powering through with the determination of Superman. Teams of mixed nationalities meant everyone had to practice English while having fun. It was wonderful to see everyone trying their best, even in the wheelbarrow race, where unmatched weights proved a great challenge for team-work. The final competition - the pairs egg-throwing - proved to be a great challenge for team-work and wonderful fun for those watching. After a hearty lunch, everyone helped to clean up---again a team effort. A wonderful day to remember for my first Maewill outing.
Yvonne, new teacher at MEC 

 
-More photos here

MAEWILL ENGLISH OLYMPICS - Thursday 07th August 2008

Yesterday we took part in the Maewill English Olympic Games competition. We got second price. We played many games for example asking questions, bingo and crosswords. My favourite game was crosswords because we caught up with the other teams in this game. We were the first to finish and got 10 points so we got the second price. We got MEC t-shirts and I like that gift! Because of this game we learnt a lot of knowledge about the Olympics and we enjoyed it. I feel honoured that China is holding the 2008 Olympic games and think they will be very successful! 
Paul, from China 
The Maewill English Olympics on Thursday was great! There were 10 teams in the afternoon and 8 teams in the evening playing bingo, doing crosswords, rhymes, and so on, all related to the topic of the Olympics. The teachers were very excited monitoring the event and all the teams had lots of fun! As prizes they got calendars, t-shirts, gold medals as well as lots of chocolates and doughnuts!! Well done everyone!!
Andrea, teacher at MEC
Yesterday we had a Maewill English Olympic competition. We had more than eight rounds. I was in team 3 first, there were four people in my team, two from Brazil, one from Thailand and me. One teacher gave us 26 letters like A, B, C, ... and we had to write Olympic Game competition names that started with these letters. We got good marks and also won a price - chocolates. Patty, Don and Diego were in my second team. They were also very good. We worked together, thought together and we did our best. For me, I was sure that our hearts were very close. One game was called 'Bingo', when we finished we shouted 'Bingo' and laughed. I was so happy I joined the competition. It helped me to learn more information about the Olympics and understand what teamwork is. It was a wonderful day. I hope we could have more competitions like that.
Icy, from China

-More photos of Day English Olympics here
-More photos of Evening English Olympics here

TEN-PIN BOWLING - Friday 01st August 2008

I arrived in Sydney one week ago and today was my first Friday activity with my college friends and I really liked it! We were playing ten pin bowling and it was awesome. I recommend to play it to everybody because you can meet different people and have some fun.
Thomas from Brazil 
Today is the 1st of August and we went to the RSL club in Dee Why to go bowling. It was a very exciting activity! I was the winner of two turns and I enjoyed it so much that I hope to come back again!
Bonnie from China 

I arrived in Australia last week so bowling was my first activity with my schoolmates. Bowling was okay, but when the weather improves I'm looking forward to outdoor activities like beach volleyball and BBQs.
Vanda from the Czech Republic
-More photos here

BUSHRANGER SPEECHES - Thursday 31st July 2008

Last Thursday the Preparation for High School students gave speeches on their Bushrangers assignments dressed up as troopers, bushrangers including Ned Kelly, and colonial ladies. 
Here is an example assignment by Patty: Patty's assignment
-More photos here

SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK - Friday 25th July 2008

Today we went to Sydney Olympic Park which held the Australian Olympic Games in 2000. It was the most unforgettable excursion in my life. We felt very happy because the guide gave us lots of information. We learned that winning isn't the most important thing in the games, it's participating. We went to the observation deck on the 17th floor to overlook the whole Olympic Park. 
Australia has changed an area with rubbish tips into stadiums. They don't only let waste take over but turn it to a healthy area and protect the environment.
The Olympic Games is a festival for people around the world, we celebrate together and learn together. So let's look forward to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. We hope they will be as successful as the ones in Sydney.
Joy and Nancy from China

 

I went to the Olympic Park and heard a lot of information about the park and the games from our tour guide. It was very interesting. Lewis and Aimee ran through a waterfall - it was fun but it is winter, isn't it freezing?
David from Korea
-More photos here

CLASS PHOTOS - Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Here are some recent class photos. Can you find yourself?

-Click on each photo for larger image.
-Click here for photo gallery.

PREPARATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION - Tuesday 22nd July 2008
by Katy

Last Tuesday we said a very sad 'goodbye' to five wonderful students - Dani, Dave, Ryan, Lewis & Zhi Wei - and to a fabulous teacher - Ann. 
Dani was very excited to be starting High School the following day. We hope her first few days out in the real Australian world were not too scary! Good luck to everyone else who is starting High School this week. Here's some advice - listen to your teacher, do your homework, study hard & keep up the good work you started at Maewill.
Ann might only have been a teacher at Maewill for six months, but she made a huge impact on all of us. She always had a big smile on her face & a friendly word to say to all the students and teachers. We wish her luck in her trip to Germany. Don't forget to send us a postcard & be sure to come back & visit when you get back to Australia! 
We will miss you all!
-More photos here

HIKING IN BURLEIGH HEADS NATIONAL PARK - 18th July 2008

Last Friday, Paul and Vicky took the students hiking in the Burleigh Heads National Park.
Bushwalking is a good way to get fit and increase your mental capabilities!
Andrea L
-More photo here

GOLD COAST GRADUATION - Friday  18th July 2008

Last week we had three students graduating. Diana & Bruno are going back to their home country after their Australian experience. 
We will miss both of them, definitely Bruno hanging around asking: " Where is Fiona??"
Also graduating was Augusto who was always smiling. He says he's having the 'time of his life' in Australia!
Andrea L

SEND-OFF FOR DAVID - Friday 11th July 2008

We had a bbq party for Dave 3 weeks ago. The weather was good. We spent wonderful time at the park. He looked like delighted because there were a lot of foods and drinks. We enjoyed playing cricket and Brazilian baseball. We hope he will be happy and come back to Maewill soon!
Sachiko from Japan
-More photos here

SYDNEY WILDLIFE WORLD - Friday 11th July 2008

Today we went to visit Sydney Wildlife World. I had so much fun taking pictures of all those animals and they were very close sometimes. I think it was a very nice experience!
Flavia, class 5A
'Wildlife World" in Sydney is a very interesting place to visit. You can see insects, snakes, birds etc. which you can't normally see in your own country or in the streets in OZ. There are a few parts of the park that I liked a lot - the kangaroo and butterfly section. I also touched a snake which I have never done before. I found it very unpleasant! You should go there and find your favourite part of wildlife!
Mili, class 4B

We went to Sydney Wildlife World last Friday. We saw many Australian animals there. This zoo is mainly about the local animals such as kangaroos and koalas. I touched a black snake which felt very soft. I enjoyed it very much. I learnt a lot about animals and also, I enjoyed the scenery around Darling Habour where the zoo is located. 
Ryan, class 5A
Sydney Wildlife World is a good zoo. It has many animals like butterflies, big dangerous birds, night insects and so on. I liked all of them but the koalas were my favourite. It's very interesting.
Kevin, class 4A
We saw many animals like kangaroos, koalas, snakes, bats and a hot butterfly room with the butterflies going everywhere. The Sydney Wildlife World was very fun, very interesting. Afterwards we went to China town for lunch. Very happy day! 
Maggie, class 3A
-More photos here

SUSHI CLASS - GOLD COAST - 17 July 2008

We had an interesting class about how to prepare Sushi. The head Chef was Yuumi, she was teaching us the way she prepares Sushi. All the students from Class 3 cooperated with the ingredients. She taught us how to prepare eggs rolls, rice with vinegar (this is a special vinegar only for Sushi) and sugar, and finally how to put all the ingredients in a Sushi roll. We developed our own style of Sushi... Do you want to try? 
Carlos - Perú - Class 3
-More photos here

GRADUATIONS - June - July 2008

Here are some pictures of students who've recently graduated - Rustam from Uzbekistan, Miguel from Peru, Larissa & Daria from Russia, Paul & Neils from Germany, Iris from Korea, Kiyoko from Japan, and Relim, Greta, Aline, Bruna, Laisa and Matheus from Brazil. 
Well done to all Maewill's recent graduates and the very best for the future - keep studying!
-More photos here

WENDY'S VISIT - Tuesday 8th July 2008

The Preparation for High School students visited Wendy's at Warringah Mall as part of their current Business Studies assignment. 
A huge thankyou to Kristy for answering all their questions and giving them Wendy's showbags and yummy ice-creams!
Here's what they had to say:
Yesterday we went to Wendy's in the Mall. At first we asked the woman who works in Wendy's some business questions. After that, they gave us some candy, balloons and pink beach balls. Now I know there are 700 shops in Australia. They sell ice-cream and the most popular ice-cream in their shop is the mega choc shake. Wendy was a beauftiful girl and they named the shop after her. I enjoyed myself. 
Kaili
Yesterday we went to the mall and went to Wendy's and asked some questions. I learnt which one is the most popular ice-cream and when the company began. I ate a double ice-cream and the Wendy's gave us many presents and some food. We were very happy yesterday.
Kevin
Yesterday, I went to mall and ate ice cream. At first we listened as the beautiful girl told us about ice cream. Then we are started eating Ice cream. I had a chocolate shake. I learnt how to make ice-cream. I was very happy. 
Will

-More photos here

AIMEE'S BIRTHDAY PICS - Wednesday 9th July 2008

On Wednesday 9th July our tireless receptionist Aimee had a big birthday celebration. 
Congratulations Aimee on your 20th!
-More photos here

SOUTHPORT WORKER'S CLUB - Friday 04 July 2008

by Claudia
Teachers Victoria & David took the students to lunch at the Southport Workers Club last Friday. The Worker's Club is huge and beautifully decorated - the ceiling looks like stars in the deep blue sky. The food was varied, very fresh and delicious. We could choose from the carvery, café or a la carte. And all meals were very reasonably priced. I had an ice cream sundae - Yum!  After lunch, we played card games and took heaps of silly pictures.

by Carla
I went to the Southport Worker's Club on Friday with the students of MEC. I ate some delicious food and I played too. It was a great time with my new friends and nice teachers, Vicky and David.
-More photos here

- News Archive (Past News)

ACTIVITIES AT MAEWILL

Friday, August 22^nd

Sport, Courtsportz, Dee Why
Basketball, tennis, squash, volleyball and mini-golf
10.00am-1.00pm
Cost: $5.50 + bus to Dee Why

Friday, August 29^th

Featherdale Wildlife Park
Feed kangaroos and emus, see koalas
& other aussie wildlife
10.00am-3.00pm
Cost: $25 (includes entrance & return private bus)

Friday, September 5^th

The Rocks
Historical Tour of Cadman's Cottage, Argyle Cut,
Observatory Hill etc + Shopping
Kangaroo/Emu/Crocodile Pizza at the Australia Hotel
10.00am-3.00pm
Cost: $12 + bus to the city

Thursday, September 11^th

Maewill Personal Essay Competition deadline!
Winners announced 17^th September, Prizes!

Rock n Bowl
Manly Bowling Club
Play lawn bowls with friends, music and drink
5.00pm-8.00pm
Cost: $20 + bus to Manly

Friday, September 12^th

Cooking Class at Maewill
Learn how to make sushi rolls & more
10.00am-12.00pm
Cost: Free!  

- Click here to check other events and activities at MEC.

THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
- Quiz Archive

Every week there is a different question written by an MEC teacher. But, BE CAREFUL, three sentences are correct and one sentence is incorrect.

QUESTION by Mae
Which sentence is incorrect?

A. I've been washed my car.
B. What have you been doing?
C. I've been living in Australia for 3 months.
D. We have been studying grammar for 2 hours!

- You can have a look at past quizzes here.

WHO IS THIS?
- You can have a look at other students' profiles here.

Milli with her classmates in 4A

Name: Milli
Age: 23
Country: Serbia
When did you arrive in Australia? 30.05.2008
Where do you live in Sydney? Warriewood
Likes: Dogs
Favourite Music: Rock & roll
What are your study objectives? Do the IELTS test
What are your future ambitions? Travel around the world
What's the meaning of life? To be happy

Name: Monica Lourenco
Age: 30
Country: Brazil
When did you arrive in Australia? 28.02.2007
Where do you live in Sydney? Manly
Likes: Chocolate, surfing, environment ...
Favourite Food: Fruits
Favourite Music: MPB
Favourite Movie: Real History
What are your study objectives? Speak and write English very well
What are your future ambitions? Get an Aussie Visa
What's the meaning of life? To make me happy!!!

Name: Joao Vicente Brum
Age: 27
Country: Brazil
When did you arrive in Australia? March
Where do you live in Sydney? Curl Curl
Likes: Walking on the beaches, Parties, Cars, Talking with people, Drinking beer
Favourite Food: Brazilian food
Favourite Music: Rock
What are your study objectives? Improve my English
What are your future ambitions? Speaking perfect English
What's the meaning of life? To be happy

ASK A QUESTION

Do you have a question about studying in Australia, grammar or vocabulary?
The Maewill English College staff and teachers are ready to help you.

TEST YOUR GRAMMAR ONLINE

How good is your grammar?
MEC's short, multiple choice grammar tests can help you find the areas in which you need to study more. In 5 minutes you will have a much better idea of how good your grammar is.

- Level 1: Beginner / Starter
- Level 2: Elementary
- Level 3: Pre Intermediate
- Level 4: Intermediate
- Level 5: Upper Intermediate
- Level 6: Advanced

- Orientation Grammar Test

PHOTOS

- Sydney Harbour Cruise: 15th August 2008
- Indoor Sport: 22nd August 2008
- Beach Olympics: 8th August 2008
- English Olympics, Day: 7th August 2008
- English Olympics, Evening:7th August 2008
- Ten-Pin Bowling: 1st August 2008
- Bushranger Speeches: 31st July 2008
- Sydney Olympic Park: 25th July 2008
- Class Photos: 23th July 2008
- PFHS Graduation: 22nd July 2008
- Hiking in Burleigh Heads: 18th July 2008
- Send-off for David: 11th July 2008
- Sydney Wildlife World: 11th July 2008
- Sushi Class - Gold Coast: 17th July 2008
- Graduations: June-July 2008
- Wendy's Visit: 8th July 2008
- Aimee's Birthday Pics: 9th July 2008
- Southport Worker's Club: 04 July 2008

- More Photo Galleries...
- Student bios...

NEW MEC NEWS

Latest Issue Available Now!
- May/June 2008 (PDF)

Past Issues
- March/April 2008 (PDF)
- Jan - Feb 2008 (PDF)
- Nov - Dec 2007 (PDF)
- Sept - Oct 2007 (PDF)
- First Edition 2007 (PDF)

$5 MEC T SHIRTS
- More merchandise here

IELTS ONLINE
- Online Listening, Links and Downloads
 
HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE
- Online Assignments and Journal Writing
 

LINKS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

- The Australian
- The ABC
- BBC
- The Times

WEATHER

- Sydney Weather
- World Weather

SURF REPORTS

- Coastalwatch.com.au
- Swellnet.com.au
- Realsurf.com
- 2 Day Forecast
- 6 Day Forecast (Animated)
- 4/7 Day Forecast
- 7 Day Forecast

- Surf Trips and Lessons
 

WHAT'S ON IN SYDNEY

There's always something to do in Sydney and often it's FREE! Have a look what's on at the moment and what's coming up.
- City of Sydney website

ACCOMMODATION

ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE

If you would like to put a message here please click here
or you can talk to Mae, Cynthia and Lyssa.

MESSAGE: Fully furnished room for rent in Dee Why (Oaks.Av.) close to everythyng. For couple $160 p/w + 2 weeks bond. From single $130p/w + 2 weeks bond. This is fully furnished 2 beroom unit, share with other students.
NAME: Paul
NUMBER: 0401051009
EMAIL: pavolp@mec.edu.au
- Photos here

MESSAGE: SHARE ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE VERY CLOSE TO MAEWILL!
SHARE A BEDROOM WITH A FRIEND OR WITH ANOTHER MAEWILL STUDENT.
FULLY FURNISHED HOUSE, $110.00 PER WEEK
TALK TO CYNTHIA AT RECEPTION!! 
OR E-MAIL cynthiam@mec.edu.au
- Photos here

ACCOMMODATION WANTED

If you would like to put a message here please click here
or you can talk to Mae, Cynthia and Tathiana.
 

FOR SALE

Furniture, bikes, cars, surfboards, books...

If you would like to sell something on this site please click here
or you can talk to Mae, Cynthia or Tathiana.