Ciao Paolo,
Well, Maria and the boys have survived their first 4 days at Loreto! I hope they aren't too bored already! I know our students really appreciate their help in our classes.The four have been a real asset in all the Italian classes when they have been asked to help out. They have been very willing to help in whatever capacity they were asked. I must say you prepared them very well - they have brought so many useful resources- the brochures, songs, grammar cds, films etc. They are really good, so many thanks from all of us here. I introduced the group to both the Principal and Deputy Pricipal- it was very sweet of the students to present a nice book to the Principal. I appreciated the nice book they gave me too.
I have taken a few photos so I will try to send them to you asap.
corina
 

Ciao Paolo
Today was a cool but sunny day so hopefully Maria and the boys have enjoyed their second day here as today was a public holiday. Tomorrow will be the students' first day at Loreto- I will meet with them at recess to see how they have all settled in with families and to remind them of school expectations.
I may consider allowing the 4 Italian students a day of sight-seeing/shopping in the city on their own next week before the boys take off for NZ providing they travel as a group - Samuele may really appreciate this as he is the one who lives furthest on the Central Coast and hence may not get the same opportunities to spend as much time in the city although he will see more of the coast/city life north of Sydney.
I presume Maria has mentioned to her family that Julia is planning to take her equestrian riding at some stage during her 4 weeks here- Julia's mother told me they were organising special insurance to cover her riding here as required by the equestrian club to which Julia belongs. Apparently Maria had told Julia she too is interested in equestrian- I hope this is all OK with Maria's family!
thanks
corina
 

Ciao Paolo,
> they arrived safe and sound and all looked in good spirits- the 4 host families were there with me to meet the students. The girls were really looking forward to their arrival despite the early hour! Luckily, there was a break in the terrible weather we had been experiencing the past 3 days. The storms, torrential rains and strong gusty winds caused great havoc in NSW and a state of emergency/natural disaster was declared along the coastal areas(including Sydney). Anyway, hopefully the worst is over and the students will be able to enjoy our beautiful city - only last week we had days with temperatures as high as 25 degrees - in winter!!
> I will write again later in the week - don't worry if the boys have forgotten the originals- I think the signed faxed copies will cover them for the 10 days that they are here.
> corina
 

salve prof!
Siamo arrivati. Domenica 10 giugno c'erano a prenderci
all'aereoporto le ragazze con le famiglie e la
prof.ssa Corina. Il viaggio e' stato lungo ma
sopportabile.
Fa freddino, pero' e' molto divertente. Le lezioni di
italiano hanno avuto successo. Siamo sempre richiesti
nelle classi e sempre circondati da
ragazze...GOOD!!(-:
Abbiamo incontrato anche la preside e le abbiamo dato
il libro del Mugello (come del resto anche alla
Corina). Le famiglie sono carine e ci trattano nel
migliore dei modi. Abbiamo visitato un po' Sydney e
dintorni nel fine settimana scorso, anche se nel
prossimo ci porteranno un po' a giro. Venerdi andremo
a sydney tutti insieme e visiteremo uno zoo con
canguri, koala, diavoli della tasmania e coccodrilli.
Faremo una sosta all'"Hard Rock Cafe'".
Il materiale preparato e' risultato molto utile e
gradito dalle insegnanti. La mattina, oltre a stare
nelle classi di italiano, seguiamo le lezioni delle
ragazze che ci ospitano.
Tanti saluti e ringraziamenti a lei per questa
esperienza unica.
Gli australomugellani
Maria, Samuele, Antonio e Stefano.