last weekend’s trip (14-16th October 2011) to Calais saw an historical first for the school: we spent three hours at Collège Les Dentelliers in Calais, working with their Year 9 students.  They asked questions in English and French.  We answered in French and English, and both parties gained from the experience.  Our lads looked very smart in the uniforms (‘chic’, was the word used by the French staff and girls), and we caused a bit of a stir, particularly amongst some of the young ladies…..  Have you checked those facebook details yet?

Amongst other activities, we visited a couple of local attractions, ate at a super restaurant in Calais where we also watched the rugby semi final on Saturday.  Our exploration of the Calais market produced an insight into food and some silly hats were purchased!! 

As always, if A are not on such a trip, the details aren’t that interesting, but the various prize winners are below.  It must be said that many lads could have won a number of awards.

• Harvey Roughton and Jack Challis – The Heart Throb Awards gained by the two most photographed lads by the French girls
• Ben Mather – The unusual Grandmother Award
• Lorence Brooks – The Wackiest Hat Collection
• The Stinky Boy Trophy – for the 38% of lads who did not use the hotel’s facilities and shower at all while we were away….  Yuk.
• Jack Painter and Idrees Harris – the French Award.  Both were willing to ‘have a go’ – it took a lot of courage to stand in front of 50+ people, using a microphone, and speak French and describe their school uniform.  Well done.  Idrees was also the recipient of the first kiss by one of the French girls – all in the line of duty, demonstrating how to greet someone French, of course…

• James Moeller – Mentioned  In Dispatches – for being a thoroughly charming, caring and excellent human being
• The Staff Tourist.  Always a difficult award to decide, as many lads made a very positive impression.  However, for his positivity, his great conversation, his contribution to what we were doing, his dalek impression when using the microphone at the school, his kinaesthetic explanation of what he meant by “ 1 and a ½ showers”….  The winner is …… Will Holloway.

A big thank you to Mr Williams, Miss Saunders and Miss Reed who accompanied the trip to make sure it could run.  Well done to all lads involved.  Apart from the timekeeping of a very small few of you, it was a super short tour.  Now let’s make sure we use what we learnt in our lesson.