Dornoch and Golspie High pupils love their French Connection

Twenty three pupils from Dornoch Academy and Golspie High School enjoyed a trip to France recently, staying with the families of their correspondents, pupils of le Collège Rémy-Faesch, in Thann, Alsace, whom they had welcomed to their homes last May.

As was the case in Scotland, a very varied programme of activities and outings was set up by the Thann teachers to get to know the region of Alsace.

After being warmly welcomed by the school's principal, the group discovered Thann's heritage in the form of a treasure hunt. They then crossed part of Alsace to go to the "Montagne des singes" a monkey sanctuary. Other outings included a visit to a chocolate factory in Pfaffenheim; a recreational day spent in Germany at Europa Park, bringing together British and French pupils; the visit to a First World War cemetery, battlefield and trenches followed by a crazy sledge ride, in wintry weather...

Pupils learned how to make wine at a wine cellar and visited the beautiful city of Strasbourg. They spent time in a town named Colmar and saw its statue of liberty. Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the creator of the statue in New York, came from Colmar, hence the presence of this mini statue (just 12 metres high) in the town.

One morning was spent at the French High School. A ceilidh was also organised at the school by the parents of the students of Thann. There was a buffet and several French and British students expressed their talents as musicians, singers and dancers.

This was the 13th exchange between le collège Rémy-Faesch and Golpsie High School, which has existed since 1992.

It is organised every two years. Dornoch Academy joined the exchange in 2013.

So far, about 385 British pupils, and as many French pupils, have benefited from the exchange. A significant number of young participants continued studying languages at university and some pupils are still in touch with their foreign partners.

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