The Grand Adventure of Pimpa and Bluey

A delightful project is blossoming, uniting Italy and Australia through the magic and imagination of childhood.

This tale began on Saturday 16th March, during an ILC Professional Development session for Italian teachers. The session focussed on utilising children’s storybooks as teaching tools. Each participant received a complimentary storybook “Pimpa travels to Italy”.

Little did anyone know, this session would plant the seed for an innovative educational journey; The Grand Adventure of Pimpa and Bluey.

The project is result of collaboration between ILC, teachers of Italian in schools and the magic of storytelling. An Australian school in Brisbane and an Italian school in Sicily have partnered in an exchange that transcends geographical boundaries and linguistic barriers.

At the heart of this exchange are two beloved soft toys: Pimpa from Italy and Bluey from Australia. The characters are about to start a journey representing the bond between Italy and Australia, while also acting as a symbol of cultural exchange and education.

The journeys of Pimpa and Bluey go beyond ordinary travels; they are an elaborate narrative brought to life by the skilled language teachers at these schools.

Documented through photographs, each step of the Grand Adventure will unfold a new chapter, engaging students in language activities that mirror the experiences of the two characters.

As Pimpa discovers the wonders of Australia and Bluey explores the rich heritage of Italy, children are not just spectators but active participants in a story that teaches them about language, culture, and the joy of discovery.

This educational initiative shines a light on the magic of learning languages through engaging storytelling.  

Acknowledgements

This project became possible with the generous “Pimpa travels to Italy” books donated by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MAECI (Ministero Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale), presented by the Italian Consul for Queensland and Northern Territory, Dott.ssa Luna Angelini Marinucci.

ILC expresses gratitude to St Columba’s Primary School and Isabella Soto for initiating the project in collaboration with ILC teachers and welcoming Pimpa to Brisbane. Special thanks also go to il Liceo Regionale Ciro Michele Esposito, Coordinator Daniela and children from the town of S. Stefano di Camastra for their involvement with Bluey in Sicily.

Follow Pimpa and Bluey’s adventure:

  1. Friday, 26 April: Bluey’s Last Days at St. Columba’s School
  2. Friday, 3 May: Bluey’s Last Weekend in Brisbane
  3. Friday, 10 May: Pimpa’s Last Weekend in Italy
  4. Friday, 17 May: Bluey sets off to Bella Italia.
  5. Friday, 24 May: Pimpa’s Italian Treat Hunt Before her Aussie Escape!
  6. Friday, 31 May: Pimpa receives a message from home.
  7. Friday, 7 June: Bluey’s Colourful Welcome to Italy.
  8. Friday, 14 June: Pimpa’s Australian Journey Begins
  9. Friday, 21 June: Bluey Discovers Italian School Life
  10. Friday, 28 June: Pimpa explores Mt Cootha with Vinnie and Lucky
  11. Friday, 5 July: Bluey hones her Italian skills
  12. Friday, 12 July: Pimpa discovers the Australian Love of Sports
  13. Friday, 19 July: Milano Magic: Bluey’s Fashionable and Culinary Delight.
  14. Friday, 26 July: Pimpa’s Unforgettable Winter Gateway in Bali
  15. Friday, 2 August: Bluey discovers the architectural wonders of Milan
  16. Friday, 9 August: Pimpa goes to St Columba’s Primary School Fete
  17. Friday, 16 August: Parisian Dreams and Olympic Gleams: Bluey’s Adventure in the City of Lights
  18. Friday, 23 August: Pimpa’s farm fun and Ekka extravaganza
  19. Friday, 30 August: Bluey discovers the heartbeat of Italian soccer
  20. Friday, 6 September: Pimpa’s pawsome friends
  21. Friday, 13 September: Bluey’s Sicilian Sun, Sand and Spaghetti Day
  22. Friday, 19 September: Pimpa’s artsy and epic holiday on the Gold-Coast
  23. Friday, 26 September: Bluey climbs Mount Etna with new friend Sofia
  24. Friday, 3 October: Pimpa’s letter to Bluey
  25. Friday, 10 October: Bluey’s pistachio-packed adventure and Italian discoveries
  26. Friday, 17 October: Pimpa’s Yamba Escapade