French Trip 2012
St Aubyns pupils explore Paris Thursday 9 February 2012From Friday 3rd February until Monday 6th February thirty-three St Aubyns pupils, led by Mme Templeton in the company of Mrs Edwards and Mr Hitchings, explored the sites of Paris and put their French speaking skills to the test.
We stayed in a hotel in the north of Paris but spent busy days out and about in the city. En route on the Friday we explored a chocolate factory in the Pas de Calais region and had dinner in Compiegne before arriving at our hotel late in the evening.
The first day took us to the Eiffel Tower on a bright but distinctly chilly morning, followed by a tour of the Chateau at Versailles and a walk through the Tuileries Gardens past the Louvre and Notre Dame on our way to dinner. On this day as throughout the trip the children were given the opportunity to speak in French when buying their lunch and souvenirs and when ordering dinner. Booklets produced in school required them to gather information at each site and to record their experiences in French.
On Sunday we visited the Stade France the day after the rugby international between France and Italy. We were intrigued to find the Italian team's match notes still on the flip-chart in their changing room! From there we travelled to Montmartre and explored Sacre Coeur and the artist's square at the Place du Tertre where some children had their portraits sketched. In the evening after dinner we walked along the Champs Elysee and visited the Arc du Triomphe.
On our final morning we returned to the centre of Paris to vist the Musee de l'Orangerie which houses some of the Waterlilies series of paintings by Monet and a large collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist work.
Prizes on the coach on the way home celebrated the particular linguistic efforts and cultural appreciation of some and the good behaviour of all. Mme Templeton received a very well deserved thanks for all of her efforts in organising and leading the trip.