Key Stage 4 students enjoyed a visit to Paris at the end of September, where they explored the sights of the city, visited a school and experienced plenty of French culture.



Key Stage 4 students enjoyed a highly successful visit to Paris at the end of September, where they explored the sights of the city, visited a French partner school where they met established penfriends and experienced plenty of French culture.

This wonderful visit to France was enjoyed by all. Mrs Storey, Mrs Watson, Mr Marlowe and Mr Henderson took 34 very eager Key Stage 4 French students to the fabulous city of Paris in what was to be a week of very sunny weather and 'entente cordiale'!

The group travelled by executive coach, through the channel tunnel to the educational centre in Mandres Les Roses, an idyllic setting to the south east of Paris. Stopping off at La Porte de La Villette on Monday afternoon to not only sample the French Macdo, but also experience the fantastic La Geode which is a sphere with a diameter of 36 metres, consisting of 6433 steel triangles set in the Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris. An impressive structure in its own right set in wonderful gardens where you can relax or find out more about Art and Science.

The next full day was to the very beautiful town of Rambouillet to the south west of Paris where Mrs Watson and her classes had already established strong links with some of the French students there, through skype and penpal letters.

The students and staff were very warmly welcomed at the school and in the afternoon, following a tour of the school and a delicious lunch, they embarked upon a town treasure hunt created by the French students themselves. A great time was had by all and all the students spent time working in small groups and getting to know each other in a mixture of languages. Both the weather and the atmosphere were fantastic and our students are really looking forward to seeing their French friends when they visit us in May 2012!

The second full day was spent in the amazing city of Paris where students began with a coach tour around the main sights, stopping off first at the Eiffel tower before a hair-raising experience around the Place Charles de Gaulle roundabout! (Thanks to Mrs Watson for her hilarious commentary).

In the morning the group visited the impressive Georges Pompidou Centre with a variety of modern art including some masterpieces by Edvard Munch, Picasso and more, before taking a short walk through the busy streets to the Louvre. Students were impressed by the range and scale of both the sculptures and paintings including the famous Mona Lisa. It was a very busy but enjoyable day that had something to suit all artistic temperaments.

The final full day was spent at Le Parc Disneyland, where the students heard familiar tunes in French and realised the importance of the tourism industry in that part of the world. Another scorching day meant all the students enjoyed it to the full. More entertainment was to follow with a version of Britain's Got Talent in the evening. The impressive Ben Sillence and his team of budding actors with their display and hilarious improvisation certainly won the judges' vote but all contestants with their jokes, singing and dancing (in a variety of costumes!) kept everyone thoroughly entertained.

The group travelled back after breakfast on Friday and visited the huge Cite Europe for a last minute shopping trip and souvenir hunt. Arriving back at school late on Friday evening, all 34 students and staff could say, without a doubt, that they had had a most memorable and enjoyable visit!

Mrs Storey was very grateful to her team and immensely proud of all the students who were fabulous ambassadors for the Academy.

Students who attended this trip should feel free to post their own comments in response to the photos we've displayed.

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