The Lower Third pupils recently returned from a fantastic French immersion trip to Château de la Baudonnière in Normandy, packed with adventure, learning and unforgettable memories.
Pupils travelled by ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, enjoying the six-hour crossing before arriving at the beautiful château, nestled in the heart of the Norman countryside, in time for dinner. Surrounded by fields, chaffinches, peacocks and even wild rabbits, the château provided a stunning setting for the week ahead. With temperatures reaching 30°C, pupils were welcomed with a barbecue and much-appreciated ice cream.
Everyone took part in a wide range of activities, including aeroball, archery, French lessons and visits to the mini-farm, home to pigs, chickens, rabbits, a pony, a llama and a turkey. Another popular activity was bread making, with pupils producing some wonderfully creative loaves, including an impressive collection of turtles and the now-famous ‘Quack’ssant!
Pupils also enjoyed a visit to a local goat farm, where they learned how goat’s cheese is produced, had the opportunity to milk a goat, and even sample the fresh milk and cheese.
Among the many memorable experiences of the week, two activities emerged as clear favourites. Pupils visited a traditional French market, where they put their language skills into practice while shopping and interacting with local traders. They also explored Mont Saint-Michel Bay with an expert guide, learning about the area’s famous tides. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed creating moving sand and discovering how to navigate the bay safely.
Evenings were equally entertaining, featuring a French scavenger hunt, quiz night and a French-themed costume evening, with a surprise starter of escargot. As this was a French immersion trip, the hosts spoke French throughout the week, providing pupils with an authentic language-learning experience. Pupils embraced every opportunity to practise their French.
