Vive le Printemps!

L'hirondelle rustique: Le printemps commence le 20 mars 2009 à 12 h 43 (heure de France).
C'est l'équinoxe de printemps, le jour où nous sommes tous égaux devant le soleil : la durée du jour est égale à la durée de la nuit sur tous les points de notre Terre ! C'est le jour de l'égalité !
C'est aussi la journée de la francophonie.Le printemps commence le 20 mars 2009 à 12 h 43 (heure de France).

Yes! It's officially spring time in France! So what are the first signs of spring in France? Well we'll be teaming up with one of our French partner schools and Mr Spence(Science) to investigate and compare those first signs in our very own International Spring Watch! So watch this space and if you've noticed anything "spring-like" so far leave a comment for our French school to read or go and tell Mr Spence!



À bientôt!

Félicitations Rachel Clearey!

Rachel has been offered a place to study French and English at Glasgow University. The lucky and talented Rachel had a wealth of choice as she was also offered a place to study in 4 other universities. "I chose Glasgow because the city and the course offered was very appealing. I visited the university in January and am returning there for the Open Day on the 31st March". Rachel will complete her A2 French course in June and we wish her every success in her exams and in the future.

Ce n'est qu'un au revoir....

On Friday 27th February 6 students from our French partner school Lycée Amiral Ronarc’h in Brest, France were welcomed to the area by Councillor Collin McGrath, chairman of Down District Council, Councillor Michael Coogan, chairman of Cultural and Economic Development and Eric Tommasini, Towns Centre Manager in a reception in Downpatrick. The students were presented with certificates for completing their work experience in the local area and given a guided tour of the Saint Patrick Centre and St Patrick's grave. The French students had a fantastic time with us and didn't want to go home- always a good sign! Our students are still chatting via MSN and e-mail and some even have plans to meet up again over the summer. Amis pour la vie!

Mardi Gras et Carnaval

We marked “Mardi Gras et Carnaval” with year 9 students in their French classes. During the session year 9's had the opportunity of sampling authentic French pancakes (crêpes) some of which were made by our own expert crêpe maker Laetitia. Students also made masks to enter into the spirit of "Carnaval". Our French assistant Laetitia prepared a powerpoint about "Mardi Gras et Carnaval" in France and got the year 9's to translate her authentic French recipe. For homework students had to make the pancakes/wear their mask and remember to hold a "golden" coin in their hand while flipping the pancakes. (Laetitia told us that this brings good luck for the whole year!)

Merci Laetitia!

Notre voyage à Brest...

Nous sommes de retour d'un voyage chouette. Nous avons appris beaucoup de français, beaucoup sur la culture française et sur la vie du pays. Nous avons appris plus que nous avions pensé. Nous avons rencontré beaucoup de gens sympas. Nous avons été très bien accueillis par le Lycée, les parents et même le Maire de Brest.

Nous avons fait des stages au Lycée et au primaire comme mini assistants tandis que Niomi a fait son stage dans L'école de Musique à Brest- une des meilleures écoles de musique au monde à ce qu'on sache.
Nous savons maintenant beaucoup au sujet des coutumes et nous aimons surtout "faire la bise" ce qui est plus aimable. Orla pense que les garçons ont plus de respect pour les filles. Scott est d'accord avec Orla. Niomi trouve que les garçons étaient plus charmants et Polly est d'accord.

Scott veut maintenanat démenager en France!

Nous tenons à remercier le directeur du Lycée Amiral Ronarc'h, Monsieur Didier Faccenda, Le professeur Coordinateur Madame Florence Mahieux-Michaud, L'Ecole Primaire Louise Michel, L'Ecole de Musique de Brest, les professeurs, nos correspondants, leurs familles et Le Maire de Brest, Monsieur François Cuillandre.

Un grand merci à Leah McAtamney de nous avoir accompagné là-bas.

Nous attendons avec impatience le retour de nos correspondant du 24 février au 3 mars.

À toute à l'heure!

Orla,Scott,Pauline,Laura,Megan,Tahnee et Niomi.

Congratulations to Tanya Murray!

Congratulations to year 14 student Tanya Murray who has been offered a place to study French at Oriel College in Oxford in September. Her French teacher Ms. Moffett said 'Tanya is a motivated and very capable student and we are delighted she has been offered a place in Oxford.' Tanya will complete her A2 exams in French in the summer after having already achieved an A* at GCSE and an A in her AS exams last June. Congratulations to Tanya and we wish her the very best as she continues her studies in French next year.

French revision! An attainable New Years Resolution!

Just received your GCSE or A-level mock grade? Would you like to improve your grade?

Well here are 10 top tips to hit that grade!

1. Go to the Shared Resources "Modern Languages" "French" folder on the college intranet select "GCSE" "AS" or "A2" folders and download some past papers including listening files. Work through one paper per week or as much of it as you can. There are listening and reading papers as well as speaking papers with past roleplays/stimulus cards.


2. GCSE students you should also go to the "Resources and revision" section of the French page on the College website and download the oral question files to your MP3 player - the questions match those in your oral booklets. While there download some of the other revision tips and work through them at your own pace.


3. Attend the A-level grammar master classes which start this Monday at 3.30pm in room 244 with our fantastic French assistant Laetitia Guerlot.


4. Attend the GCSE grammar master classes which will commence in February. Ask your French teacher for more details.


5. Go to the French Club on Mondays 1.30-2.00 (If you are on lunch at this time) and get some help from Laetitia the French assistant and our sixth-form French students. Our sixth form French students may even act as your "buddy/mentor" and guide you from their experience. Go to the French club for more details.


6. Attend the GCSE listening,reading and oral clinics. Ask your French teacher for more details.


7. Do your homework! Yes! Homework is excellent revision, so feel good about it!


8. Form your own French study group and get together to ask eachother oral questions on a regular basis.


9. Get a French penpal. Ask Ms Clarke to set it up for you.


10. Watch a French film with English subtitles.

That's it for now! Watch this space for more top tips and if you have any top ideas to share leave us a comment.

Bonne Chance!