Yr 9 French exchange AW1

Together with 21 Newstead students this year, our Olavian participants had a very enjoyable but also productive week in Bondues, accompanied by Mrs Saunders and Mr Smialowski for a whole week.

As we arrived on Saturday lunchtime, everyone was immediately in contact with the language. The rest of the weekend was spent in families; one attending his partner’s aunt’s wedding, another spending the weekend in Le Touquet, another being taken on a day trip to Paris or Bruges.

We all met on Monday at school where we were welcomed by the Headmaster and the French exchange coordinator, then attended lessons and finally watched parts of the film adaptation of Zola’s novel “Germinal” to introduce our visit, on Tuesday, of the National Mining Museum. Before this visit, all took part in a bakery workshop at the end of which vast amounts of croissants, pains au chocolat, baguettes and round loaves were given to take back to host families and visited Armentieres Museum.

Wednesday morning was spent in class, following each French partner and the afternoon was spent in families.

Thursday was spent tree-trekking in the Citadelle in Lille, which was very well received by all and after a picnic under the trees, students had free time in the centre of Lille.

As usual, students were able to participate in an introduction to sand-yachting on the beach of Boulogne, after visiting Nausicaa on Friday morning.

The week was a great success and we are now looking forward to the French partners’ return visit mid-June.

The following video gives you a flavour of their week!