During the February mid term, 12 students from 3rd & 2nd yr headed off with Mrs Kinlay and Ms Gilan to Pamiers, France.

We flew to Carcasonne and took a coach to the small town of Pamiers where the French families met us at the school Jean XXII on Friday evening. It was quite daunting to leave the group and go alone to the French correspondent’s house!

Luckily, all the French families were very welcoming and the students were well entertained all weekend, doing different activities such as a space simulator at the City of Space, sledding, skiing, ice-skating, visiting ancient grottos in the nearby snowy mountains and visiting Toulouse.

On Monday morning we all met up at the school and were taken on an excursion to Mirepoix, a medieval town nearby where we visited a French market and a famous cathedral. Some students tasted escargots! We returned to the school for lunch in the canteen. The students attended 3 different classes before home time.

Over the next few days we attended classes during the morning, sometimes observing,  sometimes helping with English classes and also singing and dancing for the younger classes. We were a great novelty in the school and everyone was keen to talk to us. Lunch time lasted almost 2 hours, so after eating in the canteen, everyone had the chance to go outside to the sunshine to chat or play football or basketball.

Like John Scottus, they have a half day on Wednesday. The French and Irish students organised to go bowling together while the teachers were taken by cable car to the top of the nearby ski slopes!

On our last evening, the school organised an “auberge espagnole” (pot luck dinner). All the participating families brought lots of delicious food and the students entertained us with songs and music (Well done!).

Before our return flight, we had the chance to visit the Chateauux de Carcasonne with the French students. Unfortunately, it was the only cold day that we experienced and we scurried around the tiny streets pursued by the wind.

Everyone was sad to say good bye at the airport but we look forward to welcoming our new friends to Dublin on Thursday 27th April!