French lessons in France for Overleigh St Mary’s CE Primary School children

Jul 29 2010 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

HANDBRIDGE pupils have been able to put faces to the names of their French pen pals.

Pupils from Years 5 and 6 at Overleigh St Mary’s CE Primary School spent five days in Normandy visiting friends at Nécy School and D Day Landings sites from the Second World War.

The 18-strong party sailed from Portsmouth to Caen and stayed in Lion-sur-Mer.

Teacher Julie Lush said: “We spent two days at the primary school, which included workshops, recording songs and picnics.

“The children have been working on a project for the last year to write and share songs in the two languages and they had the chance to record two of these while they were there.

“The trip was also an invaluable opportunity to practise their French in real-life contexts and to complement their learning about the Second World War in history.”

The group visitedŠCaen market, the Arromanches 360° cinema, the Musée du Débarquement and the Omaha cemetery.

Year 5 pupil Sophie Cliff said: “My favourite part was going to Caen market to buy our own lunch. I spoke lots of French.”

Classmate Emily Cresswell added: “My best bit was going to the picnic at the school and trying lots of different cakes.”

The Overleigh children have been writing to a partner primary school in France for two years as part of their French curriculum.

Mrs Lush added: “I was really proud of all the students. They were friendly and open and engaged with the French culture. They all tried to practise their French at every opportunity and their behaviour was exemplary.”