Language immersion on Normandy trip

A group of Year 7 boys rounded off their first year at QE with a trip to Normandy in July, during which they were surrounded by French language, history and culture.

The 44 boys and four staff took part in a wide range of sporting and cultural activities during their stay at Chateau de la Baudonniere.

All the activities, which included archery, climbing, orienteering, raft building, circus skills and cookery, were taught in French. “The staff at the Chateau only spoke to the boys in French,” said Languages teacher Caroline Mulderij. “We had to learn the vocabulary both for the equipment and for the physical actions involved.”

The boys enjoyed the opportunity to try a wide range of French cuisine, including snails, and there were specific French lessons alongside the activities and group initiative and team building exercises.

“We visited the Bayeux Tapestry and Arromanches, a site of the Normandy Landings, as well as taking time for reflection in the British Cemetery at Bayeux,” added Mrs Mulderij.