Forty one Northcote boys accompanied twenty Broomwood Hall girls to the Château de la Baudonnière last week.

After a long journey by coach and ferry, we all enjoyed four days of exciting and energetic activities, including archery, an assault course, climbing, bread making and much more.

One day was spent bartering on a traditional French market with a visit to the legendary Bayeux tapestry in the afternoon.

All the activities were instructed in French to allow everyone to be completely immersed in the language. We also had the opportunity to experience French culture to the full at meal times with a variety of local culinary delights on the menu. Snails, smelly cheese and many other treats were offered, to the astonishment of some!

The highlight of the trip was certainly the fancy dress evening with remarkable costumes from all. A few include: Harry Reid and Oscar Lumley as Napoleon, Oliver Colville as a French rugby player and Mark Goodman as a winner of the Tour de France. The talent show and disco marked the end of our time at the Château with acts from Harry Reid singing Razorlight, Harry Winther and Joshua Clarke singing Oasis... and several boys playing on the bongos! Many thanks to all who contributed to a highly successful trip.

Miss Sara Dibb – Head of French

NB Photos and boys' reports in French to follow ...