French Excursion

French Comes to Life: A Cartier Day at the NGV

Our recent French excursion to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) was a wonderful opportunity for students to take their learning beyond the classroom and experience French culture in a vibrant Melbourne setting.

A particular highlight was the Cartier exhibition, where students explored the world of this iconic French maison and discovered the fascinating connections between art, design, history, craftsmanship and culture. Students thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition and had lots of fun discovering the remarkable jewellery and objects on display. It was wonderful to see their curiosity and enthusiasm as they discussed what they saw and made connections with their French learning.

The experience also provided students with an opportunity to develop their intercultural awareness. Encountering French culture through art and design encouraged them to look beyond language and consider how history, creativity, fashion, luxury and identity are expressed in different cultural contexts. Experiencing these aspects of French culture firsthand helped students appreciate that learning a language also means discovering new perspectives and ways of seeing the world.

Our French journey continued at Roule Galette on Flinders Lane, where students enjoyed delicious crêpes in a distinctly French atmosphere. A little piece of France in the heart of our city, Roule Galette provided the perfect setting to connect classroom learning with an authentic cultural experience. Students had the opportunity to use French in a real-life context while enjoying the social and culinary traditions associated with French culture.

It was a day filled with art, culture, language, food, and plenty of fun. Most importantly, students experienced French as something alive and relevant, something that can be explored, enjoyed, and shared right here in Melbourne.

The excursion was a memorable reminder that some of the best learning happens when students are given the opportunity to step outside the classroom, experience another culture and simply enjoy discovering something new together. Apologies if your children came back home planning their first purchase from the Cartier boutique! They told me all about it, some dreaming of a collection of watches by Cartier, others imagining themselves in tiaras and diamond necklaces!! I told them that great marks at school create great work opportunities!

Katia Dell'Anna

French Teacher