FRENCH EXCHANGE FAREWELL

Au Revoir Nos Amis Français!

Last Wednesday morning we farewelled our French friends from our sister school, le lycée Darchicourt in northern France. Although it included the usual exchange of gifts, this was a farewell with a difference, with a visit from Lori Kravos from Healesville Sanctuary, who was in attendance to accept a cheque from our French sister school, as a donation to care for injured wildlife at the sanctuary.

Upon hearing about the horrific bushfires, the students at Darchicourt started their own fundraising campaign to contribute to the bushfire appeal, choosing Healesville Sanctuary as the worthy recipient of their charity. They raised well over $2000, which was gratefully accepted by Lori, on behalf of Healesville Sanctuary, who in return donated a recently published work of fiction, celebrating Australian wildlife to both schools.

Our French friends return to France having cooked ANZAC biscuits, played some cricket, footy and netball, met some reptiles, played with the VR, explored Melbourne, including a rainy day at St Kilda beach and having made some life-long Australian friends.

During the teary farewells there were many promises of return and jokes about losing passports and just having to stay!!  

Merci beaucoup to all of our wonderful host families who opened up their homes and hearts and to the amazing Lilydale High staff who helped out by running activities, particularly: Kristy Mays, Julie Colyer, Marcus Whitby, Shae Perryman, Alistair Stuart, Hayley Cook, Caitlin Marshall, Cameron Chalmers, Stuart Young, Trent Silk, Jessica Kilkenny, Laure Pradier and Sarah Hardy/

Merci aussi to all of the staff and students who welcomed the French students into their classes and made their teachers, Karine and Nicolas, feel so at home in our school.

We are looking forward to visiting our French friends later this March, when a group of 12 Lilydale High students will venture over to France to explore the Western Front, Paris and of course, our sister school le lycée Darchicourt.

Kelly Farrell

Acting Head of Languages