Friendships formed as SGS students host French visitors
Modern Foreign Languages pupils were excited to welcome 18 students and two members of staff from Collège Sévigné in Paris to Stockport Grammar School at the end of the Spring term for a French Exchange trip.
The visitors arrived in North West England on a Saturday evening and spent the rest of the weekend with their host families acclimatising to their new surroundings.
On the Monday they went shopping in Manchester and completed a tour of the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City.
An excursion to Lyme Park, including a tour of Lyme Hall, was on the schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday saw the travellers visit the Museum of Science and Industry. They also met a tour guide in Manchester who took them on a walking tour of the city centre.
On the Thursday morning they explored Stockport’s Air Raid Shelters before heading back to school to participate in an archery lesson.
They spent the Friday in school where they took part in an English lesson, an orienteering session and a kayaking in the school’s swimming pool. After lunch they got to grips with the climbing wall and competed in a quiz in the Library. The end of the school day saw the hosts and the visitors say their goodbyes as the French students and staff headed to Manchester Airport for their flight home.
The visit was an excellent opportunity for SGS pupils to work on their linguistic skills, learn more about French culture and form long-lasting friendships.
Modern Foreign Languages Teachers Mrs Annabel Cole and Mr David Lorentz, organisers of the visit, said: “We really enjoyed hosting the pupils and staff from Collège Sévigné and are really looking forward to the return trip to Paris in June! Opportunities like this are great for the pupils as they develop their knowledge of, and confidence with, the French language.”
