LOTE News

Year 9 French Berthe Mouchette Competition

Félicitations to 26 of our illustrious Year 9 French students! On Wednesday, 2 May, these students turned their hand to poetry recital for the annual Berthe Mouchette Poetry Competition. We travelled to Eildon Mansion in St Kilda, home to Alliance Française, and a Melbourne icon as one of the oldest houses in Melbourne.

 

This competition challenges students in numerous ways. Firstly, they must memorise a French poem, this year around the theme of “voyage.” Students need to work on their pronunciation, tone and expression, developing their confidence and public presentation skills, to deliver their best performance to the judges.

 

Comments from some of the participants included mixed emotions. “At first I was so scared, but after I did my poem I felt so happy – it wasn’t as hard as I thought!”

 

“I had all this energy after the poem, and I liked the croissants.”

 

Our hosts at Alliance Française taught us that áprès l’effort, le réconfort (after effort, comes comfort) and rewarded students with French croissants and chocolat chaud, helping students to celebrate their artistic endeavours of the day. St Albans students then had the incredible privilege of descending to the usually strictly off-limits cellars of Eildon Mansion. Amidst its stone walls and excellent acoustics, 2 of our students sang their poem for a rapt audience, showing great bravery and skill!

 

And as testament to the incredible work put in by the students, we are proud to announce two finalists this year – Le Khanh Phan and Christine Vong. Finals will be held Sunday, 29 July – best of luck to them both!