Blatchington Mill School and Sixth Form College

On the last Wednesday in June, forty students from Year 7 set their alarm clocks very early for a trip across the channel to Boulogne-sur-Mer, in France.

We travelled on the coach to Folkstone and took the Eurotunnel under the sea. Many of the students had never travelled this way before and it was an exciting experience.

When we arrived in Boulogne, we walked through the town to the market. Students undertook a quiz which allowed them to look at all the stalls, ask some questions and try out some French, and to look at the different food items available in a foreign country. Students also had fun buying lots of interesting souvenirs!

We walked up the hill to the “Ville Haute” (the old town area) and explored in and around the city walls of this medieval town to look at the buildings and the history of the area.

Before going home we also visited a working French “boulangerie” Students learnt about the making of bread and had a go at kneading some dough. Students also made some croissants, under the watchful eye of Bruno the baker who had a unique teaching method! We also received gifts of freshly-cooked croissants and “pain-au-chocolat” to eat on the way home- délicieux!

We returned home in the evening, very tired (that was mainly the teachers) but pleased with a fun day out and an opportunity to practice some French and to see how French people live and work.

Thank- you to all the students who behaved in an excellent manner all day, and to Ms Quesnel, Mr Stone and Mrs Clarke for accompanying the trip.

- Ms Bailey