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Dunhurst Pupils Enjoy French Day, a visit from QE Park's Ranger and 'The Big Draw'

Published on isbi School News dated Tuesday 9th of November 2010

Dunhurst, Bedales Junior School, pupils enjoyed a day 'in France' last week without having to leave the school grounds. Teachers and pupils dressed in Tricolore colours and donned their berets to participate in a themed French day organised by Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Wendy Houston.

Pupils participated in a variety of themed activities including recreating the L'Arc de Triomphe, La Tour Eiffel, LePont du Gard and Le Mont St. Michel in blue, white or red to form a Dunhurst version of Le Tricolore and performing comedy sketches set in Parisian caf�s to the whole school. In Science, pupils studied the body with French vocabulary and in History pupils studied the process involved in the building of the Eiffel Tower. The day finished with a special assembly featuring a prize-giving for best costume and a whole school rendition of the popular song 'Aux Champs Elysée'.

Commenting on the day, Dunhurst Headteacher, Penny Watkins, said: 'This was a wonderful opportunity for children not only to develop their French language skills but also to understand more about French culture. The teaching staff across the curriculum embraced the concept by creating lessons with a French feel. Our pupils enjoyed it immensely and appreciated the teachers' efforts in adding the 'Joie de vivre' to language lessons.'

At the end of a busy week for Dunhurst, pupils were treated to a fascinating talk by Queen Elizabeth Park Ranger Steve Peach. Steve gave an inspirational presentation to pupils and staff on the QE Parks Twinning Project with Parks in Africa's Uganda. He regaled amusing tales of his experiences while in Africa including practising football on an airstrip in the presence of a hippo! He talked about the team effort of both British and Ugandan rangers to improve the education facilities for children in Africa and the fundraising he has undertaken locally to support the project.

This week Dunhurst is taking part in 'The Big Draw' a national initiative organised by independent charity, The Campaign for Drawing, to raise the profile of drawing as a tool for thought, creativity, social and cultural engagement. Dunhurst's Head of Creative Studies, Elaine Hewitt, has organised photographs to be taken of every member of school staff, including the catering and cleaning departments. The photographs will be put in a box and pupils will pick a photograph at random to draw a portrait using the line drawing techniques. Arty parents at the School, who will be helping pupils with their creations, will make a mosaic display of all the portraits complete with codes so that staff can come and identify themselves in the picture and view the artistic interpretations of their photographs.

Head, Penny Watkins, said: 'I am looking forward to seeing the finished result, which will encapsulate the school's community spirit and creativity in a beautiful way. Thanks to our teachers and staff for making this first half of the Autumn term both enjoyable and inspirational for our pupils.'


Dunhurst Pupils Enjoy French Day, a visit from QE Park's Ranger and 'The Big Draw' - Photo 1
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