Didn't quite get around to uploading those photos. You'll have to wait until our slide night. Early morning tomorrow to get to the airport. I can't speak for everyone but I'm sad to leave but looking forward to getting home to the family.
Au revoir la France. A la prochaine!
Students are encouraged to send their comments and/or photos to Mr Casey (dcasey@tps.vic.edu.au)
07 July 2012
05 July 2012
And the winner is...
What a day!
As expected, the teams were very keen and determined to bring home the P2P Metro Challenge Trophy. (One suggestion was the Cornichon Cup. Keep them coming...) The weather was fine, a lot milder than yesterday with a gentle breeze - perfect for a day of exploring Paris. It was still, however, quite warm and sticky underground in the Metro.
Each team tackled the cryptic clues to find the various destinations in slightly different ways; all were tackled with enthusiasm. It was sometimes frustrating for the accompanying teachers as they were not allowed to give any assistance unless a team decided to "buy" a clue (which cost them points off their total.) You all know the story of the tortoise and the hare... I'm sure that your sons and daughters will describe the experience to you in greater detail when you see each other again.
To cut a long story short, the day was a huge success. The students were very proud of themselves; proficiently navigating the Metro and RER systems, walking around Paris, asking questions of French people and using teamwork to solve problems. The Challenge concluded at Le Cimetière du Père Lachaise. Everyone (except for Team Ongenaert who were an hour late) then had time to visit their favourite dead people in the wonderfully old and famous cemetery - Chopin, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde to name a few.
The winning team was announced upon our return to Vernouillet-Verneuil station. The jury found it quite difficult to choose the winner as there were two teams tied on the maximum 78 points. After countback they were still tied. So I - err, I mean - the jury had to make a decision based on the teams' performance of Men at Work's "Down Under" on the steps of the Bastille Opera. Congratulations to Team Curtis! Second place went to Team Hewitson, third to Team Casey (oh la vache!) and poor old Team Ongenaert came fourth (more politically correct than saying "last.")
We say "bonne continuation et bon voyage" to Madame Ongenaert, Amy Kierce, Elyse Anderson, Nick Bender, Victoria Roadnight and Emma Weight as they continue their stay in Europe with their families.
The next two days will be full of social events, cultural visits and time spent with correspondants and families. We are meeting at Notre Dame at 6:30am to get the coach to the airport on Sunday morning. Oh la la!
I'll pop some more photos on in the next few hours.
As expected, the teams were very keen and determined to bring home the P2P Metro Challenge Trophy. (One suggestion was the Cornichon Cup. Keep them coming...) The weather was fine, a lot milder than yesterday with a gentle breeze - perfect for a day of exploring Paris. It was still, however, quite warm and sticky underground in the Metro.
Each team tackled the cryptic clues to find the various destinations in slightly different ways; all were tackled with enthusiasm. It was sometimes frustrating for the accompanying teachers as they were not allowed to give any assistance unless a team decided to "buy" a clue (which cost them points off their total.) You all know the story of the tortoise and the hare... I'm sure that your sons and daughters will describe the experience to you in greater detail when you see each other again.
To cut a long story short, the day was a huge success. The students were very proud of themselves; proficiently navigating the Metro and RER systems, walking around Paris, asking questions of French people and using teamwork to solve problems. The Challenge concluded at Le Cimetière du Père Lachaise. Everyone (except for Team Ongenaert who were an hour late) then had time to visit their favourite dead people in the wonderfully old and famous cemetery - Chopin, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde to name a few.
The winning team was announced upon our return to Vernouillet-Verneuil station. The jury found it quite difficult to choose the winner as there were two teams tied on the maximum 78 points. After countback they were still tied. So I - err, I mean - the jury had to make a decision based on the teams' performance of Men at Work's "Down Under" on the steps of the Bastille Opera. Congratulations to Team Curtis! Second place went to Team Hewitson, third to Team Casey (oh la vache!) and poor old Team Ongenaert came fourth (more politically correct than saying "last.")
We say "bonne continuation et bon voyage" to Madame Ongenaert, Amy Kierce, Elyse Anderson, Nick Bender, Victoria Roadnight and Emma Weight as they continue their stay in Europe with their families.
The next two days will be full of social events, cultural visits and time spent with correspondants and families. We are meeting at Notre Dame at 6:30am to get the coach to the airport on Sunday morning. Oh la la!
I'll pop some more photos on in the next few hours.
04 July 2012
Ouf! On est fatigué!
We've just got home from our second-last day in Paris together. Everyone is quite tired. It's been warm and quite humid these last few days, and I think that all our socialising, exploring and - to say the least - walking has finally got to us.
The boys and girls had lots of interesting stories to tell of their long weekend with their families and friends. The early start on Tuesday did not seem to deter them from spending lots of energy chatting and laughing on the bus as thery caught up with each others' adventures. After an hour or so, however, many of them started to nod off as their bodies tried to catch up on lost sleep.
Our visit to the Loire Valley was wonderful. We had lots of time to explore the two amazing chateaux and gardens of Chambord and Chenonceau. We got back to Verneuil at about 8 o'clock that night.
Today was spent at the Louvre (so much to see, such little time!), the Quartier Latin and Notre Dame de Paris. Everyone was exhausted but very happy. They are getting quite expert at navigating the Metro system, keeping to the right on escalators and on footpaths, crossing the road and sticking together - most of the time... I must say again that your children are a real pleasure to be with. We have had no real incidents to speak of, and the little things that have popped up have been resolved with humour and good grace.
Everyone is very excited about tomorrow - our last day together in Paris. It's the day of the Metro Challenge. The teams have already started to play their psychological games with each other, and some cheeky students have tried to prise information out of the teachers. Unfortunately, no attractive bribes have been offered to date. Who will win the coveted P2P Metro Trophy? (I haven't thought of a better name yet. Any suggestions?)
You will notice that the photos of our time in Bordeaux are not there. I had to delete them to make more room for the new ones as I had run out of online storage.
A bientôt !
The boys and girls had lots of interesting stories to tell of their long weekend with their families and friends. The early start on Tuesday did not seem to deter them from spending lots of energy chatting and laughing on the bus as thery caught up with each others' adventures. After an hour or so, however, many of them started to nod off as their bodies tried to catch up on lost sleep.
Our visit to the Loire Valley was wonderful. We had lots of time to explore the two amazing chateaux and gardens of Chambord and Chenonceau. We got back to Verneuil at about 8 o'clock that night.
Today was spent at the Louvre (so much to see, such little time!), the Quartier Latin and Notre Dame de Paris. Everyone was exhausted but very happy. They are getting quite expert at navigating the Metro system, keeping to the right on escalators and on footpaths, crossing the road and sticking together - most of the time... I must say again that your children are a real pleasure to be with. We have had no real incidents to speak of, and the little things that have popped up have been resolved with humour and good grace.
Everyone is very excited about tomorrow - our last day together in Paris. It's the day of the Metro Challenge. The teams have already started to play their psychological games with each other, and some cheeky students have tried to prise information out of the teachers. Unfortunately, no attractive bribes have been offered to date. Who will win the coveted P2P Metro Trophy? (I haven't thought of a better name yet. Any suggestions?)
You will notice that the photos of our time in Bordeaux are not there. I had to delete them to make more room for the new ones as I had run out of online storage.
A bientôt !
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