French Exchange

French students from years 10 and 11 had an amazing experience in France over three weeks at the end of term. Jane Macdonald and Jane Sanderson accompanied Callan Walsh, Yasmin Wallace, Mads Chislett, Teagan Cole, Delta Williams, Ben Adams, Sarah Button, Jasmine West, Angela West, Crispin Smythe, Saskia Peachey, Joy Callaway and Isabella McGuire on their French exchange. It was a fabulously exciting trip with a lot packed into the time away. After several - days in Paris, we travelled North to Arras and spent 2 weeks with our host families, going to school and venturing further afield to see what was on offer in a range of cities and villages. See the photos and snippets from the blog students kept while we were away.

Paris

After a long weekend of plane flights and an unplanned night in Bangkok, we were finally able to spend our first day in Paris. It was jam packed with some of the most iconic landmarks, and the first one we visited was the Louvre. This art palace is home to some of the most beautiful and well known pieces of art in the world, including the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa and Le Liberte. After our minds were significantly blown away, we walked up the Champs-Elysees to the Arch de Triumph, where we gazed over the city in awe. Delta Williams.

Arras

We caught a bus to the Carrieres Wellington – Wellington Quarries. Once there we watched a short film about the Battle of Arras in World War I. The film also explained a little about the tunnels that were built under the town during the war. After the film we went on a guided tour of the Wellington tunnels, where we learned about what it would have been like to live in the tunnels for eight days. There is still graffiti and drawings on some of the walls where the British, Welsh, Scottish, Australian and New Zealand soldiers lived. It took six months to dig. Jasmine West.

Today we were able to make our visit underneath the main hub of Arras. It was quite an experience, winding our way through the many small, skinny tunnels. Many segments were too low to stand up properly in, and others were too deep to see the bottom. The tour gave us great sight insight into what was like when these tunnels were built and how they have been used over centuries, especially the 24,000 British Empire soldiers who lived down there for 6 days during World War I.

After lunch with our correspondents we ventured to a new part of Arras to partake in some ‘sporting activities’ with a rather energetic instructor. After a rigorous warm up that involved lots of running and stretching we were introduced to a new game called ‘coxi bola’. This involved throwing and catching a small ball with an interesting piece of equipment, made from two sticks attached by a square piece of fabric. This was a new game to us all, and it was a lot of fun. Ben Adams.

Final weekend

The last weekend in France was definitely a memorable one! I was lucky enough to get the opportunity of going to my first (and most likely last) French wedding. What an exciting and tiring day Saturday was. Saturday began with a lovely sleep in until 10, and a small breakfast consisting of: grapes, baguettes and coffee. Soon after, it was all systems go to be out the door by 12.30. The marriage itself was held in Lille around an hour from where I’m staying. This meant we arrived at the small Anglican Church in Lille at 1.30, ready for the 2pm ceremony. The ceremony was rather small and short. However, the day before they had already had a ceremony in the town hall, as that’s what happens over here. Apparently, if you’re religious you get married in both the church and the town hall, if atheist only the town hall. After the ceremony, we drove to a 500 year old chateau known as La Chartreuse in Gosnay. This place really had a magical aura! We began the reception in a lounge area, were we were served champagne and nibbles. The nibbles ranged from foie gras to macaroons. We entered a larger room in which the main food and dancing was in. There were several tables set up around the room, with space in the middle to boogie later. Three delicious meals were served, including cheese and dessert. By the end I felt extremely full! The rest of the evening consisted of dancing to old French music, and we returned back home at 3am. After such a big day, Sunday consisted of relaxing in the sun and eating crepes! It was quite glorious. Teagan Cole

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