Page 21 - Spring 2020 Echo for website

Modern Foreign Language 19

Normandy Highlights

A great College trip should leave a lasting impression and the MFL visit to Normandy didn’t disappoint! A total
of 65 Year 7 students, together with Year 10 Language Leaders and teachers, travelled to Chateau Beaumont,
in Normandy.
On Saturday morning, the students headed to the bustling Laval market to try out their best French. Zip wire,
archery and fencing with a ‘French twist’ were just some of the exciting activities waiting back at the Chateau
before everyone tucked into frogs legs, snails and beef bourguignon for ‘French night’.
The following day the students visited Le Mont St Michel, the abbey which is the inspiration for Hogwarts. They
learnt about Norman history from their expert guide, Ben, who gave them a real flavour of what medieval life
was like. The day was rounded off by a visit to Fougères Castle. One of the absolute highlights of the trip was
the Sunday evening Talent Show.
A sad farewell was said to the wonderful Chateau staff on Monday morning, and the students travelled back
up to the coast to visit Arromanches and the D-Day beaches.

“We had a fantastic trip and the students were an absolute credit to the College with brilliant feedback on
their conduct and enthusiasm from the Chateau as well as from members of the public and even passport
control!
A big thank you to all the staff who supported the visit and made it such a success and thank you for all the
lovely messages we have had from parents, they are very much appreciated.” Mrs Bindon, Lead Practitioner
for MFL.

Opportunities Achieved through Learning Languages

In February we were hugely fortunate to welcome Mary-Jess Leaverland to the College, who gave an
inspirational talk to our Year 8 students. Her mottos of ‘always having more than one string to your bow’ and
‘seizing every opportunity’ were her foundations for success. Mary-Jess decided that languages were going to
be her ‘second string’ and she studied Mandarin Chinese when it was offered
as an extra-curricular GCSE at school. She then continued to study Mandarin
Chinese alongside Music at Sheffield University.
Mary-Jess has gone on to sing for occasions such as the FA Cup Final as well
as singing the vocals for the Downton Abbey theme tune. Through her unique
selling point of beautiful singing with the ability to speak Mandarin Chinese,

Jenni Bindon, Lead Practitioner for MFL said, “Our students were fascinated
by Mary-Jess, her story and her extremely impressive ability to speak a very
different language. Mary-Jess delivered a vitally important message to our
students about making the most of every chance you are given as well as
the breadth of opportunities learning a language can bring you,
opportunities you can’t even imagine.”