“My parents grew up speaking Italian and only when they attended school did they learn English,” she said.

“They grew up in the Riverland and even though they were born in Australia [to migrants from Piedmont and Abruzzo], they never fully assimilated at school.”

For this reason, they did everything in their power to ensure that their daughter was well integrated into Australian society while maintaining strong ties with Italian culture and traditions, including “sauce day”.

Gava’s passion for Italian was sparked when she was a high school student at Cabra Dominican College.

“I had a wonderful Italian teacher, Elena Guastella, who was able to make the lessons so engaging that I wanted to continue studying Italian,” she said.

In 2013, she participated in an exchange program in the Italian city of Padua, where she attended the Liceo Scientifico Galileo Galilei.

“I was shocked to discover that all students learned up to four foreign languages,” she said.

“It was then that I decided to continue my Italian studies at university, where I also learned Spanish.”

Gava believes that learning a second language is invaluable and she tries to pass this message on to her students at Nazareth Catholic College, through engaging and purposeful programs, “just like my experience at school”.

She teaches around 40 students from Years 9 to 12.

“[The programs] are created to facilitate students’ involvement, enrich their language skills and provide them with cultural experiences to enhance their overall learning,” she explained.

Among the topics explored in class to better understand “Italianness” are: migration, weddings by proxy, the mafia, Sicilian food, the Slow Food Movement and the importance of markets.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to organise study trips abroad, I’ve had to be even more creative, showing students the positive contributions that Italians have made in our state.”

Last May, Year 11 and 12 students experienced an “immersive journey” in the McLaren Vale region.

Students participated in a series of cultural experiences, including lunch at Pizzateca, matches at the McLaren Vale Bocce Club, an intensive language session and even a Quiz Night at the town hall, organised by Gava.

“The initiative was well received by the students, who appreciated being able to experience a taste of Italy in Adelaide,” she said.

For Year 9 and 10 students, Gava organised a walking tour around the city centre and Adelaide Central Market, as well as a meeting with Gennaro Vecchio.

Better known as Gene, the Italian migrant is a tour guide and taught the students about the influence of Italians in the CBD.

“We visited the State Library of South Australia, the Art Gallery of South Australia, Bonython Hall at the University of Adelaide and the market, where we had lunch at Lucia’s, the oldest Italian restaurant in South Australia,” Gava said.

They then visited Gelatissimo, where owner Jerry explained the various differences between the ice creams and the students had a go at making some.

“All of these experiences have given the students an insight into Italian culture, enhancing their language learning.

“Overall, our students in the senior Italian program are able to understand the importance of language learning and discover how culture and language come together to create new meanings.

“They love to participate in different cultural experiences.”