Text Box: The Modern Languages Department have again been busy this year organising visits to France and Germany. These visits are extremely valuable for students, for as well as being able to use their spoken language in real life situations, they are given opportunities to improve all four language skills, by being encouraged to carry out a variety of linguistic activities. Moreover, excursions are organised to include several visits of historical and cultural value, A group of 40 Year 10 students studying French recently returned from a trip to Arras in France such as a visit of the World War 1 cemeteries and museums, where we were privileged to be given a tour by actual French war veterans in full uniform, and allowed to walk through a battle field where students could see the remains of the trenches used during the war. It was a thoroughly informative, albeit very moving experience, which the students will certainly remember. We also spent some time exploring the town of Arras itself, where students were impressed by the beautiful architecture and the characteristic French patisseries which offered a wonderful array of traditional French cakes and pastries. Some year 10 girls also made friends with a group of French students, and were able to practice their best French ‘chatting-up’ skills! We visited the Chocolaterie de Beussent where the wonderful hand-made chocolates are made, and were given a guided tour and tasting, as well as a visit to a French bakery to see how the famous baguettes and croissants are made. On Easter Monday, thirty five students from years nine, ten and twelve set off to the Rhineland in Germany. Excursion ere organised to Boppard and a chair-lift ride over the Rhine valley, and a more relaxed cruise down the river Rhine. We then moved on to Burg Eltz, a medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle River. It was fascinating to see how the lives of the people who have lived in the castle have changed since it was built in the 12th Century. After the tour, we walked back to the top of the hill to the coach. Sadly, this gentle walk proved a bit too far for a group of year 10 girls who were crawling up the hill by the end! We also visited Cologne, a city famous for its vast cathedral and some of us were brave enough to take on the 500 steps to the top of the cathedral and enjoy the panoramic views across the city. We also went to the Lindt chocolate museum and enjoyed some free samples and a lesson into the history of chocolate. Both groups also spent a morning at a theme park where the staff impressed the students with their bravery, and all students had the opportunity to shop for presents and souvenirs. On both trips, the students represented the school perfectly, and impressed our hosts and drivers with their superb behaviour and the interest they showed. Special thanks must also go to the teachers who gave up their time to organise and accompany the trips: Mr Agbodjan, Ms Spendiff, Mr Holden, Mrs Marsden,

These pages represent only a small number of the many trips and activities and events that take place each year.

France and Germany Trips 2006

Above: Students and staff at a World War One battlefield in France

Above: Burg Eltz Castle in Germany

Above: Students and staff in France