Global Connections - Group Tour

Tour de France

Liam Fernandes, Henry Duncan and Max Dillon-Shallard, Year 10 

After a long 23-hour plane journey, we were finally in Toulouse, France. We couldn’t wait for our 25-day adventure to begin!

Upon landing, we promptly headed to Saint Joseph La Salle, our partner school in France. Later that evening, our host families warmly welcomed us into their homes, marking the beginning of our tour. 

Throughout the following week, we dove headfirst into French school life, attending classes alongside our peers. We also had the chance to enjoy memorable outings, including a visit to the enchanting mediaeval walled city of Carcassonne. Another highlight was participating in the lively French tradition of 'carnivale', where each mentor group wore themed costumes and paraded around the school grounds.

Finally, it was finally time for the long-awaited holidays, where we had the wonderful opportunity to explore Avignon, Provence, Montpellier and Nimes. At the end of this week, it was time to gather together once again for the final leg of our trip - a tour of the iconic city of Paris!

Paris was a whirlwind adventure. Over a few jam-packed days, we visited many of the iconic places we’d only dreamed about, from the Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. We were fortunate enough to make our way to the top of the Eiffel Tower, where we got a breathtaking view of Paris.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit Parc des Princes, the home stadium for Paris Saint-Germain. Our final morning in Paris consisted of visiting the perfumeries, which was a great way to see a unique side of French culture and learn the ‘le savoir faire’ of perfume.

Before we knew it, our experience in the lovely city of Paris had come to an end, and it was time to head home. 

Overall, one of our main highlights of the trip was having the freedom to explore Paris, much like the Year 9 Impact Program, where we are given the opportunity to be independent. We also enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with our host families, learn new French words and improve our listening skills. 

This trip was an amazing way to experience a completely different lifestyle and learn about the cultural differences between France and Australia. A huge thank you to Madame Lucie Dickens, Kim Mullins and Dasha Lepustin for organising and attending this tour with us. We had an incredible and unforgettable experience in France! 

The Parent Perspective 

'My child learnt so much of the French language and culture on this trip. She learnt to become more independent with 25 days away from home. By living with a host family, she learnt about respect and how to offer help. She learnt to solve real-life problems. She also realised that being organised and listening to instructions are important in a group journey.' 

'I’m sure our son has developed greater independence, confidence and enthusiasm to try new things, and a broader perspective on the world. We're so thankful for this amazing opportunity. He stayed with an extremely kind and generous family who offered him wonderful experiences. We knew he was in good hands with both his host family and the Kilvington staff. Thank you so much for all the hard work in planning and preparing the trip, and for looking after our son.'

'This experience enriched our son’s French learning experience, and in doing so, increased his engagement with the subject. The connection to language, culture, experience and lifestyle was highlighted by the trip. The trip also allowed the students to grow a little more as young men and women.'

'We couldn’t have asked for a better experience for our child. She was incredibly well-matched with her host family, so much so that a lasting friendship has been formed. We are looking forward to hosting in October.'