Once again we had a very successful first leg of our French Exchange. Students and parents alike were very pleased with the whole experience. There were many tears as the exchange students said their goodbyes and began their journey back to France!

As usual, the Eden Project was a huge success, and the tour of Exeter Passages took its victim this year as a member of the French staff and a student feared to go in the tunnels to explore the underground. The guided tour at Exeter Cathedral was very interesting and the students learnt a lot, finding especially fascinating, the stories of the Cathedrals working cats!

This year we held a new trip to Dartington Crystal which was a great success. The students toured the factory, learning the history of Dartington glass in the museum and watched a live demonstration of glassmaking amongst many other hands-on activities. Next year we are set to visit again, giving the students the chance to craft and paint their own glass.

The Exeter Morris Dancers were fabulous – Their enthusiasm and passion for dance was incredible as they entertained the students and taught them how to dance in the traditional Morris style.

Since the French students have returned home, the students from both schools have been in contact. They are all very much looking forward to the second leg of the exchange in May, where our students will visit them in Avranches, France.

Jocelyne, who organised the exchange said “Our French exchange had a brilliant stay with us and I would like to give a special thanks to the parents for their generosity, hosting, and for providing delicious desserts for the soirée, to Queen Elizabeth's Educational Foundation for their support and to the Twinning association for hosting our extra French student.

Thank you again to everyone involved - Merci!”

Jocelyne Whittaker