DIMANCHE, 14 MARS
Despite the long journey by coach from S.Anselm's to Burgundy by coach, the trip went smoothly. The journey was largely a peaceful one!
the motorways were like they were in 1959!
many of the children slept!
We arrived at Eurotunnel ... something none of the staff, nor a lot of the children had been on before.
We stayed just outside our coach and within 30 minutes we were in
France!
The journey continued around Paris and we stopped for evening meal at a very plesant French motorway service station.
On our arrival at MCF we were told about the safety rules of the site, then had some supper - some soup and some of Olivia C's birthday cake!
LUNDI, 15 MARS
The 4th years are divided into four groups. This morning two groups went off to learn some French circus skills and associated language for three entertaining hours, whilst the other two groups stayed on site
for a 90 minute walk in the sunshine of the Burgundy countryside
followed by a 90 minute French lesson - one group did walk and then
French, the other vice versa.
breakfast has been cleared and the day's events are being explained
...
The walk gave us the opportunity to explore some of the local area and learn, in French, about the use of the various types of trees in the forest, the animals and their habitats.
Among other things, we learnt about the geography of France in the
French lesson
At morning break we made use of the very popular 'baby foot' and
'tennis de table' activities.
We have been very lucky with the weather so far too! Sun is shining
and it is mild! Printemps est ici!
After lunch we swapped over activities and the other half of the group paid a visit to the circus.
With instruction in French (on occasions when it was too hard, kindly translated by Alex V!) we learnt various balancing skills.
Emma S, Charlie L and Charlie H were able to make the full way across the tightrope.
Chloe R-S, William A and Will H were the best at the climbing into the sky!
Paddy D was able to balance spinning plates, even on his nose!
On our return we spent an hour writing up our journals before heading for bed at 9.30 p.m., tired after a long and rewarding day.
A bientot!
MARDI 16 MARS
Our week in France continues to go very well indeed with a lot of
French being learnt in beautiful surroundings with a varied set of
activities.
We spent this morning in the historic market town of Avallon, about a
7 mile drive from our base where we undertook three activities in the
two hours we spent there.
We learnt about the buildings with some cross curricular geography map
reading - matching photographs to landmarks in the town.
Secondly we were taught how to play petanque properly as the French
do!
Finally we were able to spend a few Euros shopping in the town - it
was good to see use of language in the shops!
After lunch back on site, we split into two groups for the afternoon.
Half had a fun archery session ...
... whilst we also had a 90 minute French lesson
After supper we spent an hour - many spent more than this - working on our journals. Interesting to see all hard at work at 8.30 p.m. in the evening, well past the time we'd stop working on a normal school day!
MERCREDI 16 MARS
Another glorious morning and a wake up call from the girls!
Our team was split into two again for the morning activities. Another 90 minute French lesson for some and 'faire du mosaique' for the others.
Following the morning break, the halves swapped over.
After lunch and more of the table tennis competition - Alex V proving to be particularly strong ...
... we all left for a very enjoyable afternoon on the high wires. Javier G proving to be our quickest!
After another 30 minutes on the journals, we enjoyed a typical French meal at a local restaurant which was well enjoyed by all.
The trip continues to run very smoothly with a very enjoyable group who are all working hard, enjoying each others company and setting a very good example in everything they do!
JEUDI, 18 MARS
We made the 90 minute trip to Guedelon today - a castle being built between 1998 and 2023 using methods and technology of 1239 to 1264 AD.
We had a superb tour guide who took us around the site
After lunch we had tours in groups of four around the outlying workshops where parts of the castle are being made before being taken into position.
Those visiting Guedelon on previous visits will remember the pillory ...
Thirty minutes were spent drawing certain areas around the site
We travelled through the attractive city of Auxerre on our return journey ...
... before enjoying another meal back at MCF.
Another 30 minutes of journal writing ...
... before retiring to bed slightly earlier tonight.
We only have one day left now in Burgundy before heading back on Saturday.
VENDREDI, 19 MARS
... and so to our final full day in France. The next 24 hours were being discussed at the last breakfast.
We headed for Vermenton for the Friday market, and 3 Euros each, to buy our lunch in teams of six. Obviously asking questions about the food and the price gave us the chance to practise our spoken French.
Jack H, who had been unwell, was given a 'get better soon' card from his friends on our return ...
)
The teams were then given half an hour to prepare their lunches before being awarded prizes for best value, best 'balanced' meal and best presented meals.
We had a final journals session, table tennis (Gabby T was the tournament winner) and cards ...
... before heading off to Auchan for a final spend of Euros. We enjoyed our last meal at MCF ...
and then we sadly had to pack up at the end of our busy, rewarding and enjoyable stay.
Some aspects of school life may be changing rapidly, but the 4th year French trip, taken by four staff with 85 years of teaching between them at S.Anselm's continues to improve each year with minor adjustments to the routine and organisation of the week to previous years. It all makes for a superb induction into the language through a very diverse set of activities.
Our 4th years this year did the school proud in the way that they conducted themselves throughout!
Here's to 2011!
Posted on
Fri, March 19, 2010
by DEY