Students in Year 8 took part in a cultural trip to France as part of their Big Skies Week adventures. Based at a farm in Normandy, the group ventured out on several trips within the surrounding areas, with highlights including a morning at the Villers Bocage market, a historic visit to the British Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bayeux, some light shopping and exploration of the iconic Mont St Michel and much more!

Over the duration of the week, students enjoyed language immersion activities and the trip was a brilliant opportunity for the girls to practise their French and experience local French culture first-hand.

Following a restful night’s sleep and a delicious French breakfast, the students split into groups for their morning activities. One half of the group enjoyed a hands-on bread-making session, crafting delicious loaves in various creative shapes to enjoy alongside their lunch, while the other half participated in a practical French language lesson, preparing them for their market trip the following day, and ‘Aeroballe’, an energetic, trampoline-based sport played in pairs. 

After a hearty lunch of turkey cordon bleu accompanied by their freshly baked bread, the girls enjoyed some free time in the beautiful grounds, playing volleyball and football or simply relaxing in their rooms. The local staff have been exceptionally helpful and attentive, encouraging everyone’s French speaking skills. 

Following an afternoon activity swap, the day concluded with a wonderful ‘soirée française’. Everyone dressed up for a traditional French dinner, which featured the opportunity to try snails – where Year 8 student, Elsa, set an extraordinary new school record by eating an impressive 20! This memorable day ended with a series of traditional French games in the gardens, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The following morning, the group visited the bustling market at Villers-Bocage. Working in small groups, the girls were given a budget in euros to select their own local produce to complement their lunch. They had a wonderful time practicing their French speaking skills as they chose an array of items, including ham, rotisserie chicken, cheese, olives, cherries and macarons. The local stallholders were incredibly warm and supportive, with several even offering free fruit to reward the girls for their excellent linguistic efforts.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to history with visits to the British Cemetery at Bayeux and the cliffs at Arromanches (Gold Beach). The students rose to the occasion beautifully, showing immense sensitivity and respect. They offered many thoughtful comments at the cemetery, and several girls read their own poignant poetry aloud on the cliffs overlooking the beach as they reflected on the historic events of ‘D-Day’, a deeply moving moment for everyone present. 

The day concluded back at the farm with an evening of dinner and high-spirited activities, including a swim in the pool and a lively language-based treasure hunt led by their enthusiastic animateur, Mathias, who thoroughly enjoyed working with such an exceptional group.

The adventure continued with a morning visit to a local hypermarket, followed by a trip to the iconic Mont Saint-Michel. The girls enjoyed a scenic tour of the historic ramparts before exploring the picturesque, winding streets for some souvenir shopping.

In the afternoon, the group embarked on an unforgettable seven-kilometre walk across the beautiful bay of Mont Saint-Michel. Led by their guide, Nico, the girls experienced the unique geography of the bay firsthand, with brave volunteers stepping forward to demonstrate how to safely navigate and escape the sinking sands. The walk was a true highlight of the entire trip, filled with continuous chatter and laughter and thoroughly enjoyed by all – including those who were initially apprehensive about the distance.

Throughout the journey, the students have been wonderful company and have settled into every activity with remarkable ease. They have received numerous compliments from guides and locals for their exemplary behavior and enthusiasm and they should be commended for making such a fantastic effort with their spoken French.

A huge thank you must go to Mrs Gaul for her meticulous organisation of the trip, as well as to the wonderful staff team of Mrs Dwyer, Mr Edwards, Miss McLaren and Sister Turner, whose dedicated support made this highly successful and memorable trip possible.