What a trip! Four days! We did it all, travelling through 4 countries, Christmas markets in Köln and Düsseldorf, der Kölner Dom, das Schokoladenmuseum, swimming, Phantasialand, der Fernsehturm, shopping and we even managed to visit our partner school in Erkrath.
Parents and students in our partner school, das Gymnasium an Neandertal (Gymneander) organised a Christmas party with German seasonal food. We shared English traditions (mince pies, crackers and a Lucky Dip) and sang Stille Nacht together. All of our students also attended 2 lessons to get a taste of what it is like to learn in a German School.
St Nikolaus, who normally comes on the night of 5th- 6th December, came 3 days early to put some chocolate in the shoes we left outside the door of our hotel rooms.
The German department are very proud of our 84 students from Year 8, 9 and 10 who took it all in their stride. They were fantastic ambassadors for Presdales and our country. I even heard them talking German to each other. Well done to them all!
We hope the pictures give you a flavour of this exciting trip.
Monday 10th February
Our A Level German students were determined to get to the evening performance of ‘The Visit’ at the National Theatre. Storm Dennis and the resulting changes in travel plans involved much sprinting to get to the theatre on time! ‘Der Besuch der alten Dame’ or ‘The Visit’ in English was written by the famous Swiss playwright Friedrich Dürrenmatt and is one of the A Level set texts. The performance was first class and enabled us all to gain a greater understanding of this thought provoking tragicomedy. An enjoyable and memorable evening was had by all.
Mrs Yates
On the morning of Friday 8th November, seventeen Year 9 Presdales students and thirteen Year 9 pupils from Richard Hale set off for France to take part in a French Exchange with the pupils from the Collège Gaston Serpette in Nantes. The seven day trip was a great success and as you can read from the accounts below, the pupils found the experience extremely enjoyable and rewarding.
From the awkward meeting to the emotional departure, the French exchange was a trip to remember for my lifetime. The highlight for me was the group ice skating trip: we ice skated for 3 hours with the French and English correspondents (with a break in the middle to eat crêpes) and it was amazing! I also loved the trips I went on with the family (like going to the beach). My French partner was the best part; she was very good at English and we would chat until late at night about what it’s like in our different countries. The language barrier really didn’t affect us much. Overall it was such a great trip and I made new friends who I would have never have spoken to otherwise.
Adelaide Peart (Year 9)
The French Exchange was like nothing I’d ever done before, but I don’t regret it in the slightest. Of course there were the nerves and excitement before we went, but once there we were welcomed completely. The way things work is slightly different and a little daunting, but learning more about the culture and language is interesting like the way we see crêpes as solely sweet things, but in France they also have savoury crêpes which are honestly delicious. We also did a day out sightseeing at the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and the machines of the island where we rode a huge mechanical elephant. The whole exchange was an unforgettable experience and, if you can, I would advise you to take this opportunity with open arms.
Evelyn Youngman (Year 9)
On Friday 22nd November, a group of sixth form students went to the Russian Conference which took place at Oxford High School. It was a long journey there and back but well worth it! The conference was opened by Dr Roy Allison, lecturer from Oxford University, who gave a speech on the fall of the Soviet Union and Gorbachev`s new thinking. It was a very interesting insight into Russian modern history. Oxford professors Andrew Khan and Julie Curtis continued the conference talking about Russian poetry, starting from Alexander Pushkin all the way through to the symbolism in Alexander Blok`s poems. The highlight of the Conference was the talk given by Sir Christopher Mallaby, the former British Ambassador to West Germany, who was in service during the fall of the Berlin wall. It was tremendously exciting for the students to hear stories about Soviet spies and the behind the scenes work of the British Embassy. All the Presdales students enjoyed the Conference and were very glad to meet up with fellow students from the schools across the UK who also study Russian as an A-level option. It is fair to say that the trip was not only of educational value (mock exams are starting next week!) but also very pleasant.
Mrs O. Parry
Our school trip to Russia took place from October 24th to 29th, 2019. Firstly, we got to Moscow after a day’s worth of travelling. It was a beautiful and unique place to visit – truly unlike any major European city and filled with different ages of architecture. Whilst there, we visited numerous amazing places such as a school, in which we got to converse with the students using our language knowledge. We also had a guided tour around the Russian Kremlin (the working place of President Putin). Also, we got the chance to visit the beautiful Red Square and shop in the huge adjacent shopping centre, extravagantly lit up, and saw Saint Basil’s colourful cathedral. The hotel ‘Cosmos’ we stayed at was very cosy and had an incredible curved architecture. We ended our stay in Moscow by taking the overnight train travelling 714 km towards the other major Russian city – Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg was more akin to European cities, however. It was filled with bigger, grander buildings. We visited the Summer Palace of the old monarchs pre-revolution. It was a beautiful place and held so much gold in the gardens and detailing inside as well as historical furniture. Along the river Neva, we saw many sites such as the spectacular Winter Palace, adorned with intricate gold leaf details, and, when entering, we found a vastly decorated interior with paintings all around. It was an astonishingly large palace and one unlike any other. We also got to dine in one of the palaces accompanied by music and then watched a national dance show with many acts. One night, we also watched the Nutcracker ballet at the world class Mariinsky theatre with top professional dancers. Our time there was really fun and interesting.
Freya Church (Year 12) and Charis Church (Year 10)
St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow. Photograph by Molly Marriott (Year 11)
Just before the Easter break, some of our Year 12 French Students welcomed their French partners for the return leg of the Sixth Form French Exchange. As soon as they were reunited at Luton Airport, all the initial nerves immediately disappeared and a very busy weekend ensued. Our families really looked after their French visitors, organising many activities such as cruising on the Thames, shopping trips to London and the inevitable, and eagerly awaited, visit to Primark! (French teenagers love Primark as there are very few stores in France)
For most of the week, the French students attended normal lessons at Presdales as the aim of the Sixth Form Exchange is to be immersed in the life of the host partner. However, on Tuesday, we all spent the day in Cambridge, discovering the historical past of this prestigious University city during our guided tour. It is worth mentioning that Tuesday was the only day when it rained, with the rain becoming quite heavy the minute we set foot on our punts and easing off as soon as we got off!
I would like to thank Anne Favre, my French colleague from the lycée La Colinière in Nantes, for her continued efforts in cementing a very positive and rich working relationship and I am also very grateful to all the parents for being so welcoming and caring with our French visitors. I hope this year will be the beginning of a long and happy exchange between our Year 12 students and their partners.
Christel Ainge
Friday the 9th of November was a very exciting yet nerve- wracking day for a lot of people – we would finally be going to spend six days with a host family in another country after having very little contact with them. Saying this however, we had nothing to be worried about as we were welcomed like old friends later that day.
Upon our arrival at ‘College Gaston Serpette’ we were greeted by the French students before being introduced to our partners. Very kindly, many of the families had baked cakes and we got a chance to bond with our partners over the goods.
I was very relieved to arrive at the ‘Roche family’ house because, after a long day, I was just ready to sleep. Christophe and Coralie (the parents of Pénélope, my French exchange partner) were extremely kind and welcoming and even the cat seemed happy to have me in their home! That evening we enjoyed a lovely dinner and some board games with the older brother and younger sister. The family really appreciated the gifts that I brought, especially the younger sister who has since said that shortbread is her favourite thing in the world!
We went straight into having a weekend with our host family and this provided an opportunity to really get to know them as well as have a great time. It was board games and the local ‘Nantes market’ on Saturday and a visit to the beautiful ‘Mont– Saint-Michel’ on Sunday.
Monday morning required an early start as we had to go to school with our partners. I sat through art and maths with Pénélope and actually managed to understand quite a lot of what was going on. I have to say that it was very different to be back in a class with boys after the two years since leaving primary school! Speaking of primary school, that’s where we went in the afternoon. We filled out questionnaires with the children, who were all very excited to see us, before doing a presentation (in french) on presdales school.
On Tuesday, we visited a very interesting town called Vannes, an hour and forty minute coach ride away. After having a tour round, we were given free time. During this period, we all enjoyed picnic lunches made by our host families. It was in Vannes that I bought presents for my family back in England. I really enjoyed Vannes as it was a very pretty place with lots of quirky little details and we were given a chance to put our French to the test by talking to shopkeepers, etc., without the worry of getting anything wrong, as we knew that we weren’t going to see these people again. Also, they were very understanding.
Wednesday was, unfortunately, our last full day. My family gave me hot chocolate in a bowl (a very new experience!) and a huge selection of croissants, pain au chocolat and other pastries as they knew that there was a long day ahead! We got the tram into the centre of Nantes quite early in the morning so that we would be able to fit everything in. First of all, we had a guided tour round the château. The weather did not let us down, the beautiful skies were as blue as anything and it was very warm (considering that it was November). Then we went to the main shopping area in Nantes – there were lots of boutiques and individual shops in addition to some of the more well-known shops. The real highlight of the day would have to be visiting the huge mechanical elephant and carousel! To begin, we went into a museum which explained how the two were made and gave information about future projects that are being planned. I found it extremely interesting as the huge amount of time and effort put into the attractions was something to behold in itself. The ride on the actual elephant was slow but allowed you to take in local scenery and appreciate the work gone into it.
The day ended with a reception with the mayor of Nantes and we met up with our partners and families. It was very lovely and the trip ended on a high.
Then came the dreaded goodbye on Thursday morning… we were all very emotional to leave our ‘homes’ which we had been so happily welcomed into. Many tears were shed as the time came to say goodbye to our partners. The bond that we made with them was so strong – they had been like our brothers and sisters for the past week and leaving just felt wrong. Surely it was too soon for us to leave? However, we knew that it wouldn’t be long before the return visit and modern technology means that we can keep in touch very easily!
I’m so glad that I took the opportunity and went on this trip and would definitely recommend it. Your French will improve without you even realising and you’ll pick up new vocabulary just from overhearing dinner time conversation. The bonds and friendships that I made on the trip are ones that will last forever.
Róisín Hurley (Year 9)
On the 9th of November Presdales and Richard Hale set off for France for the infamous French Exchange. Being the only Year 10 going, I was a little apprehensive at first but there was no need for me to be! My fellow Presdalians were absolutely lovely and, although it was a little awkward at first, I soon found myself chatting with them. Not only this but the teachers accompanying us, Miss Haywood and Miss Lee, were so sweet and kept us laughing and smiling the whole week.
Arriving at Gaston Serpette (the French school), I was so, so, SO nervous but also really excited to meet my exchange partner. I had previously texted her a bit so I knew what she looked like and a few things about her but I was still anxious that maybe we wouldn’t get along.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. We were well-matched, and I knew as soon as I said my first “Salut!”, I was really going to like her.
Unusually, this year, we went on a Friday which meant we were immediately spending the weekend with our host families which meant that there would be no teachers there to help translate! My correspondent’s parents were so welcoming, and I instantly felt safe and at home and I soon befriended her cat. My family made no fuss that I was vegetarian and cooked some delicious meals, making sure that I never went hungry – there was always a goûter (snack) ready and waiting for me!
At the start of the week, there were often challenging points where I would try to ask or describe something to my exchange partner and couldn’t quite get there. Despite the language barrier, we were always able to get across what we wanted to say, even if it involved an odd jumble of French and English. By the end of the week I was better at saying these phrases and found myself feeling more confident to say them in the first place.
It was really cool to experience a completely different culture, and even better to be doing so in such a beautiful city! Leaving Nantes, I was so happy I had met such kind people and so upset that I would not see my correspondent for several months – there were many tears at the airport! I wish I could have stayed for longer.
To any younger students thinking about whether to go or not, I would 100% recommend you give it go, and I’m not just saying that because I know Miss Haywood will read this! It will boost your French speaking and listening and prepare you for those GCSEs with extra vocab you wouldn’t know otherwise. You also get to spend a whole week off school with your mates, and get to meet new people, both French and English, with whom you may well become really good friends.
Going on the exchange gave me so much more confidence with my French and really inspired me to keep going. Not only that but I made a genuinely amazing friend who made my week so enjoyable.
Rebecca Kennard (Year 10)
I went into the French exchange feeling nervous but mostly excited about meeting my partner and diving into the French lifestyle. Since I had done the exchange before in year 9, I half knew what I was expecting; however, unlike the last time, I was constantly speaking French and by the end of the week I was really getting used to the family’s lifestyle and the French culture.
My partner is called Lou and early on into the exchange we were already really good friends! We’re looking forward to seeing each other again when she comes back to England! We did lots of fun activities whilst we were there. With the school, we went to the Machines de l’Île (where there’s a giant mechanical elephant) and also we visited the Château de Nantes, which was really impressive. On Monday and Tuesday I went to the French school and it was really interesting to find out what school in France is like because it was so different from England.
For me the best part about the trip was getting to meet my exchange partner because I have made a really good friend who can also help me improve my French. The most challenging part of the trip was at the start. I was finding it hard to understand the fast and complicated French that the family and my partner were speaking, but by the end of the week I could pick up most of what they said to me. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone taking French, not only because it improves your listening and speaking skills, but it also allows you to make lots of friends and it is altogether a lot of fun!
Hannah Wilson (Year 12)
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