Languages Faculty News 

Vive Halloween! 

Lucie Dickens, Academic Dean of Languages 

A very big thank you to Madame Mullins for celebrating Halloween with a French flavor at the end of October. Year 2 students learnt about how Halloween is becoming more and more popular in France but also in other French speaking regions such as Quebec. 

Here are some pictures and a student reflection on this exciting unit of work. A fabulous display of their work can be seen in the Junior School corridor.

From Dante and Hugo, Year 2

Madame is a kind, caring and cheerful teacher. Our class has been inspired by her so much. Recently, we did Halloween in French and our class adored it. We made jack-o’lanterns and we got to pull out pumpkin guts! 

Before Halloween, we learnt about monster body parts too! Learning more than one language has been new to most of us and Madame has guided us through it very well indeed. 

Thank you very much for everything.

Global Connections Program 

Despite having to put on hold all the wonderful trips and study exchanges we usually do, due to travel restrictions, Kilvington continues to value the strong connections with its partner schools.

Staff are planning curriculum projects in collaboration with these partner schools, with a focus on developing students’ intercultural understanding and a global perspective on world issues. We believe it is important that our communities across the world continue to connect and support each other, especially in the challenging times that we are facing. 

Recently, we asked some students from our partner schools to share with us how they experienced their 2020 school year and what they were grateful for. Here is what they had to say:

From Todoroki High School in Tokyo, Japan

Chiyu Furue, Junior 2 (Year 8) 

This year, I've experienced a lack of school events. I haven't had a chance to work together with the whole class for something big.

I'm grateful for my family because they've taken care of me during quarantine even though they were busy. 

Soi Mutou, Junior 3 (Year 9)

Because of COVID-19, our school missed out on a lot of big events like sports day and the school festival which is very depressing since this is my last year in Junior High School. However, our teachers said that we will have a field trip in February so I'm looking forward to that!

Although COVID-19 is horrible, I was grateful that it made me realise how the neighbourhood was important. Due to the lockdown, I managed to bond and become close with a couple of friends around my area, and I was very happy about it.

Rei Tajima, Senior 1 (Year 10)

Since I am more of an outdoor guy, the lockdown, which happened from the end of March to the start of July, was super boring. We were assigned lots of homework and had a schedule we had to follow every day. 

On the other hand, I was able to relax at my home after online classes, and what was best, is that I didn't have to change my clothes or fix my hair.

I am grateful for my mum and my dad. My mum has always thought about my health and made my meals every single day. My dad is a doctor working at his own clinic and not the big hospital that looks after COVID-19 patients. He works hard for many hours, treating many patients up to 100 people by himself. If my dad wasn't here, I wouldn't be able to have the life I have now.

From Saint Joseph La Salle in Toulouse, France

Victoire Périole, Year 11

During the year 2020, we had to spend two months at home and learn remotely. I had to work a lot to keep my grades at a good level!

I am grateful for all the people who work very hard to save our sick people. I am also grateful to my teachers because they do their best to teach despite the mask, and for all the other people who participate in making things work during this particular period.

Dorian Veloso, Year 11

For me, this year is very special. However, it's also a year like any another, in the way that we have to work. I think I worked more during the isolation than at school (during Year 11). 

I am grateful for my teachers who are always supporting us in our work/homework. They are very available and do everything they can to continue teaching us. I am grateful for the safe procedures of my high school because they know what they have to do within the Coronavirus period. 

Valentin Patte, Year 11

2020, up to now, has been a life-changing year. Since our teaching had to be kept online, our teachers had to improvise the best they could to make us continue learning. For some students, it was very complicated. Sometimes students had to share one family computer with several siblings. 

So, I think this period was stressful but I managed to find a way to adapt, and I think that I came out of it as a stronger person. In conclusion, I am grateful about the handling of this crisis. We have to think first of all about what is good for the community, and especially about our future, if we want this situation to be resolved as soon as possible, and to have as little negative impact as possible on our future lives.

From West Yan’an Middle School, Shanghai, China

Hu Jinglan 

In my 14-year-old life, 2020 stands out as a special year. We experienced the outbreak of COVID-19 that led to us studying at home. That’s a new experience for all of us. I’m grateful the epidemic has been brought under control now, and my family and friends are all safe and healthy. 

Ma Jinshu 

2020 is probably the most special year during my life so far. In the first half of the year, the epidemic forced us to study at home, but now it feels like we have never been apart. After summer vacation, we entered the eighth grade and have gotten closer with everyone.  

Zhao Xicai 

2020 is definitely a special year for us because we had to study at home for three months. Meanwhile, I'm grateful for the teachers who had to prepare our lessons and examine our homework in front of screens for hours.