Bleary- eyed and tired, 35
students and 4 teachers set off at 7.15 on Sunday, 26th March (the
morning the clocks were put forward). We were
off to Cléry Saint André, near Orléans in the Loire
Valley, where we would spend the next 5 days visiting famous places,
getting a taste of French culture and staying with host families whose
children attend the local collège. After several hours on the
coach and ferry, we finally arrived to be met by a group of French children
and their families and our intrepid 4th formers went off in pairs for
their first night in a completely French environment.
The following day at 8.30, (7.30 British time, 6.30 GMT!) we were all
back at the collège for a taste of the French education system.
For the first hour, two of Mme. Tertois’ French classes were put
with our group and, having been divided into teams, were given the task
of finding out the meaning of obscure words in both French and English.
This activity proved a great ice-breaking activity where there was much
communication in both languages as well as in mime and gesture. For the
second hour we were sent off to a variety of different classes; the music
GCSE bunch attended a Second Year Music lesson where Andy Gallo gave
a fine rendition of “The Stars” from “Les Misérables” and
the whole group joined in with “Oh Happy Day”. A visit to
the outstandingly beautiful “Château de Chambord”(nicknamed
Aladdin’s palace by some of the group) followed. After a brief
picnic lunch we set off for Blois, where after a brief tour of the town,
we were given a guided excursion of the castle where secret doors and
the room in which an assassination had taken place fascinated the students.
The coach disgorged an exhausted bunch of students and staff into the
school playground at 6.30 p.m.
The following day was spent in the famous audio-visual theme-park, Futuroscope,
where we were all shaken about by 3D simulators and astounded by some
of the biggest and most complex screens in the world.
Our
final day offered perhaps one of the most interesting cultural experiences;
visiting one of the Vouvray wine cellars, where we saw millions of
bottles of wine and were shown the process of wine making. This was
followed by one of the most popular parts of the trip – wine-tasting!
We all had the chance to sample a variety of wines. In the afternoon
we were given a guided visit of Orléans and the students were
then allowed to shop for a couple of hours along the principal broad
avenue of shops in the city.
After a final night spent with their French families, there were several tearful “au
revoirs” as the students said a final farewell to their hosts.
I would like to give heart-felt thanks to my highly supportive “team” of
Miss Ball, Miss Thomas and Mr. Townsend as well as to Madame Miard, the headmistress
of the Collège in Cléry and the French teachers and families
who welcomed us. Finally, I would like to say an enormous thank you to all
of the students who came on the trip for their good behaviour and their fantastic
participation. I will leave the final word to them.
Jan Spencer Ellis
How was your French family?
They were sooo nice – really easy to get on with – very understanding and welcoming – very friendly and funny – kind and generous
What activities did you do with them?
We ate frogs’ legs -we did archery- we played cards, rugby, football, ping-pong and basketball –we went on walks and bike rides- we fed the donkey and the ducks – we watched films – we were taken out to the restaurant.
In what way has your French improved?
My confidence and comprehension are much better – I learnt very useful vocabulary- my knowledge of France and its history has improved – I have learnt that language need not be a barrier between people – my French listening has improved.
What were the most embarrassing/funny parts of the visit?
When Andy (Gallo) burped whilst singing to the family – Dorian being called a greedy pig by our family – telling the family that I am a black cat