Aysgarth School

All children were kept very busy on French day. The day started after chapel with a carousel of activities held in the hall: most popular with little ones was dressing the teddy according to instructions in French while older pupils completed a time line of events ranging from Roman times to the 21st century. There was also a map of traditional dishes to complete, a jigsaw of proverbs, French handwriting to practise and several other activities which the children approached with great enthusiasm. Many pupils entered the reading competition, some successfully attempting the very challenging 17th century fable 'La cigale et la fourmi' (The ant and the grasshopper) by Jean de La Fontaine.

Several members of staff had prepared special lessons for the occasion, ranging from a thought provoking talk on the realities of everyday life in occupied France during the 2nd World War to the making of some amazing looking fruit tarts. Some classes also learnt about Lully, Louis XIV court musician, while others heard a short lecture on the French Revolution. Geography was not forgotten and we hope that children are now aware that the French language is spoken in many other parts of the world as well as France. In art, pupils created a model of the Eiffel Tower in psychedelic colours which will look great in the French corridor and we also now have a splendid giant copy of the Red Room by Henri Matisse which is uncannily true to the original!

In the afternoon, there was a junior and a senior treasure hunt followed by a University Challenge type of house quiz based on the knowledge acquired in the morning. Congratulations to all team participants who were all very brave to represent their houses. Many thanks to the kitchen staff who prepared a delicious Bœuf Bourguignon followed by a very authentic Tarte aux Pommes.

Pre-Prep join the French experience

Mrs Brown organised a 'taste of France' for the children in Pre-Prep with various cheeses, 'wine' in the form of grape juice and talks about where the different cheeses come from. The classroom was set up to resemble a French scene. Some children dressed up in French costume and fun was had by all.