French Trip 2024 - Un Voyage Inoubliable

Another successful French trip to Nord Pas de Calais with 37 year 9s, 10s and 11s, all excited to improve their language skills and learn more about French culture.

After a smooth sail over the channel, we headed straight to visit our partner school in St Omer where students met their pen pals and we visited classes, played games in groups and did speaking activities to get to know each other. The school is over 300 years old and has only 150 students, a real contrast for our Oaks students to see. They loved the experience and can’t wait to see the students again when they visit us in June.

After a relaxed evening settling into the accommodation we were ready for a full day of activities on Saturday. First stop Boulangerie Le Fournil where Bruno the baker showed us how to make croissants and we learned about the importance of French artisan bread from his wife Stephanie. A job they love but they told us is difficult.

Next stop, Valerie’s goat farm. After making goat shaped chocolate chip breads, students were spent time with the new kids born in the last few days and weeks! Perfect timing! We held the goats and tried not to squeal as they chewed our shoelaces and gambolled by. Some were had a go at milking and then Idrees sang us all a song about “le fromage” by Anushka, Nimisha and Elina. Off for a bit of shopping at the local Centre Commercial and then we finished the day with a Crepe Making activity after dinner.

On Sunday we headed to Le Touquet Paris-Plage where a few of us dipped our toes in the sea whilst others looked around the town doing the town trail or completing the challenges set.

Our students really made the most of the opportunity and we’re a credit to the school!!!