Yet again Year 7 made another purposeful and thoroughly enjoyable visit to Maison Claire Fontaine in the heart of the spectacular Burgundy countryside, France.
Each day Year 7 ‘lived French’ as they entered into the different activities as well as following lessons in French. These activities included completing a survey in the beautiful town of Vézelay with its historic basilica of St. Marie Madeleine; local people, as well as unsuspecting tourists, were engaged in conversation: “De quelle nationalité êtes-vous?” for example! On Wednesday we visited the small and pretty town of Avallon. The children found out where various shops were and the use of prepositions was one of the key challenges besides visiting a ‘pharmacie’ and ordering train tickets at the ‘gare’.
J’ai adoré ma visite à Avallon. J’ai goûté le sirop de grenadine. Je suis allé dans la forêt, c’était cool. J’ai regardé les arbres magnifiques. Nous avons couru dans la forêt, c’était dificile mais amusant.
Honor Purvis
The children also did lots of practical activities: they went to the circus and had a go at some difficult tricks such as trapeze, juggling, balancing on the big ball and walking the tight rope; they did archery and they used their creativity to make a mosaic.
Nous avons suivi un cours de français et nous avons fait de la mosaïque. Le soir nous avons dansé à la disco.
Rocco Knight
On the last day we went off to the market in Vermenton and bought food (as well as some souvenirs). On their return to the centre the children channelled their inner chef to compete in a friendly competition: to prepare a high-class lunch where both the quality and the presentation of the food would be judged. The children created a wonderful selection of dishes which made choosing the winner hard!
Later, a delicious meal was enjoyed at a chic restaurant where the children bravely ordered a three-course dinner and tasted the ‘escargots’ and ‘gougère au fromage'.
Le repas était délicieux. J’ai mangé quatre escargots. Après le repas, le soir, jai regardé le film Tintin. Tout mon temps à MCF était fabuleux.
Annabelle Dodd
The trip was a perfect preparation and launch into their more advanced study of French in Years 7 and 8, including scholarship courses. A wonderful time was had by all.
Presentations 'Chez Nous'
The children arrived home fully immersed and excited about their experiences in Burgundy.
To thank parents for supporting this hugely important trip to France, the children planned a special evening serving French delicacies - Crémant de Bourgogne and biscuits (while the children once again enjoyed some sirop) - and performing some short sketches in French. The sketches led us through a magic forest with talking animals, a visit to Avallon led by Annabelle the teacher, archery with a human arrow and talking balloons, an evening at the restaurant, shopping at the market and a detailed history of Vézelay. Well done Year 7!
J’adore le cirque et j’adore le trapèze. J’aime mon séjour en France. Merci!
Amelie Rank
