BISHOP BAVIN TOUR TO FRANCE ~ AUGUST 2005
30 July 2005 Bon voyage et bon sejour!
At 3.00pm, an excited group of students gathered at Bishop Bavin School, from where they made their way to Johannesburg International. The Duty Manager of Air France had been primed and she facilitated the smooth check-in process, providing boarding passes to Paris and Nice. After passing through passport control, everyone enjoyed the opportunity to relax and browse through the tax-free boutiques, before excitedly boarding flight AF 995 to Paris, Charles de Gaulle. Being immersed into the French language and culture from the word 'go' was so exciting for everyone! The group is to spend two weeks at a Junior Programme organized by the Centre International Antibes, followed by a 5 day touring addition to Paris. Arrangements are firmly in place and, all things being equal, they are in for a wonderful tour! I would really appreciate it if parents would email me any interesting snippets of news from their children, so that I can post it on the website. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns
Written by: Jenny Peddle
31 July 2005 Safe arrival
I received an sms from Denise Buxbaum at 1.00pm today to say that all is well and that they have landed safely in Nice. Although a little weary, everyone was in high spirits as they boarded the coach with several other happy bands of international students, who were also about to embark on the two week programme at 'Campus Horticole' in Antibes. They will spend the afternoon unpacking and relaxing - apparently the weather is really hot, so they might have a swim in the Campus pool or possibly even go to the beach. After dinner tonight, there is a "Soiree Bienvenue' where everyone will be introduced to each other and all will be clearly explained to the new students. I have no doubt that they will enjoy their beds tonight --!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
1 August 2005 Tour of Antibes
This morning all the students at 'Horticole' were taken on an orientation tour of Antibes. The 'vieille ville' is spectacular and the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean are a sight to behold. They then wrote the assessment test, on the basis of which they were placed in groups to suit their individual level of proficiency. In the afternoon, they were given the choice of several sports and a 'Soiree Casino' is on the agenda for tonight – sounds like they're going to learn to gamble in French! Apparently they are all having a wonderful time and have already made so many new friends from all over the world.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
2 August 2005 Sailing on the Mediterranean!
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed class this morning and they were richly rewarded by an afternoon of sailing on the Mediterranean! The weather was magnificent and everyone revelled in the sea, sand and sunshine! A barbeque and a 'Soiree Orientale' were scheduled for this evening - no doubt this provided yet another wonderful opportunity to mingle and interact with other students from all over the world. If you would like to phone your child and you have the patience and good fortune to get through, well done! The local call box number at Horticole is + 33 497 21 29 36. Phone cards are on sale at the school and phoning home would be the more stress-free option!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
3 August 2005 Really enjoying themselves!
I was able to talk with the chaperone, Mrs Denise Buxbaum, last night and she chatted enthusiastically about the programme. The children are having a wonderful time and really benefiting from the classes. Lessons are stimulating, well prepared and presented in innovative ways, so that the students don't even realize that they're 'at school'! There are approximately 150 youngsters from all over the world, all sharing the common goal of wanting to improve their French and have fun in the sun! The afternoon and evening activities are well organized and there are scheduled shuttle buses, which go to the beach and to town every day. The food is very good and there are no complaints in that department! The weather has been wonderful and it stays light until late, so they are making the most of the balmy evenings on the magnificent Cote d'Azur!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
4 August 2005 Free afternoon at the beach
Another wonderful morning of stimulating lessons --- and who thought school could be fun?! After lunch, a free afternoon awaited them and our group decided to make the most of the superb sunshine and spend it lazing on the beach. A 'Soiree Cabaret' was on the agenda for the evening, which is a 'spectacle' organized by the 'animateurs/animatrices'. Apparently these young people are all great fun and they play a large role in the smooth running of the programme at Horticole.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
5 August 2005 Juan les Pins
Already one week at school – how time flies! After class today, some chose to go to the beach and others couldn't resist the temptation of going shopping in Antibes! In the evening, there was an organized outing to Juan les Pins, which lies adjacent to Antibes and is popular for its bright lights and vibrant atmosphere. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening and all are looking forward to the weekend.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
6 August 2005 AquaSplash!
Everyone (even the teachers!) thoroughly enjoyed their day at AquaSplash, where they were drenched from head to toe on a wide variety of water rides! The weather was superb and the picnic prepared by the school was delicious. They returned to the campus in the early evening, where they welcomed the opportunity to relax.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
7 August 2005 Recharging batteries!
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed today, choosing to sail from Juan les Pins to Ile de Lerins, which is steeped in history. They spent the day exploring the island, swimming, sunbathing, picnicking and simply relaxing. Just one of those lovely, lazy summer days on the Cote d'Azur, where batteries were recharged for the busy week ahead.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
8 August 2005 It's like paradise!
Everyone is very happy at Horticole and they have all made so many new friends. Every afternoon there are two buses providing transport to town and for the more active, sporting fixtures are offered either on campus or at the beach. Tonight's entertainment involved a schedule outing to a venue offering games, rides and some dancing too! Sounds like they're in paradise
Written by: Jenny Peddle
9 August 2005 All happy!
After class this morning, some students chose to go to town, others to Marineland and the majority accompanied the two chaperones, who travelled by train to the perfumery in Grasse. Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and in the evening, there was an organized concert, where both students and animateurs displayed their questionable talent in a karaoke singing competition!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 August 2005 Compliments for our group!
The weather has been wonderful and the sunshine has been food for the soul! After class today, there were several activities on offer, including the usual visits to the town and beach, as well as some go-cart rides and an excursion to Nice. In the evening there was a barbeque, which provided another excellent opportunity for social interaction. The teachers and 'animateurs' are apparently very impressed with our group, citing their impeccable manners and their positive approach to all aspects of life at Horticole. I remain convinced that a firm foundation of discipline and defined boundaries are an integral part of the South African success story.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 August 2005 Soiree Cabaret!
After class today, there was an excursion to 'Marineland', where there is a vast array of marine life, and everyone especially enjoyed seeing the whales and the dolphin show. In the evening, there was a 'soiree Cabaret' and 5 of our girls made an invaluable contribution to the function. The audience acknowledged their incredible talent, amazing sense of rhythm and exciting choreography with rousing applause. Bravo, les jeunes filles!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 August 2005 Emotional last day at 'Horticole'
It was a very emotional morning, as everyone realized that this was the last time they would share class with their new found friends. Each group performed 'sketches' to illustrate what had been learnt over the past two weeks and the teachers were delighted with the obvious improvement in the students' confidence and ability to speak French. Certificates, indicating individual levels of achievement, were awarded and there were many smiling faces amongst our group! In the afternoon, there was a mass exodus to the beach and to Juan les Pins, which has such a 'vibey' atmosphere! The evening was spent sorting, packing, chatting and adding new names to already full address books. There is no doubt that these students have had a 'once in a lifetime' experience and memories of 'Campus Horticole' will be indelibly printed in their memories for life.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
13 August 2005 Paris by night
Tears abounded as they said fond farewells to all the friends they have made over the past two weeks. The 5 hour train journey on the TGV to Paris was therapeutic and provided time to relax, contemplate and appreciate all that they had experienced at Campus Horticole. With batteries recharged, they arrived at Gare de Lyon, where their coach was waiting to transport them to their hotel. They were all excited to be staying in such comfortable accommodation and, after freshening up, they caught the metro to the Latin Quarter. They really enjoyed the ambience of this area and to see the Seine by night was spectacular. All found 'people watching' fascinating and they decided to make the most of the evening and walk back to the hotel --- after choosing to eat dinner in a 'Greek' restaurant!
Writt en by: Jenny Peddle
14 August 2005 Wandering the streets of Paris
Today they enjoyed a leisurely cruise on the River Seine and then strolled through the streets of Paris, visiting Le Pont d'Alma, L 'Ecole Militaire, Les Invalides, Napoleon's Tomb and finally they made their way to the world's most famous boulevard, L'Avenue des Champs Elysee, which they loved!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
15 August 2005 Disneyland Paris
had a wonderful call to Paris today and spoke at length to Mrs Buxbaum. She told me how happy all your children are and what fun they are having! They are all very excited for their day at Disneyland Paris, where entrance is prepaid and all the rides are free --- we can only imagine the joy which awaits them!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
16 August 2005 Last night in Paris
After their late return from Disneyland Paris, they enjoyed a lazy morning and then made their way to the symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Only one or two had seen this spectacular feat of engineering in real life and there were shrieks of joy as they marvelled at the awesome and breathtaking view over Paris. Time has flown and it is difficult to believe that they will be winging their way home tomorrow night. The task at hand tonight ---how to fit the numerous parcels and purchases into suitcases and still be within the weight limitations!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
17 August 2005 Bon retour et a la prochaine!
This is my last diary entry and I am overwhelmed by a sense of fulfilment and joy. This has been a very happy and successful tour and your children have benefited enormously from this life changing experience. I would like to thank Denise Buxbaum and SueAnn Radebe for being superb chaperones and for finding the right balance between fun and discipline. Three boys will extend their holiday, but the core group will depart Paris, Charles de Gaulle tonight at 23h15 on AF 990 and they are scheduled to arrive in Johannesburg at 09h40 on Thursday 18 August. Merci, bon retour et a la prochaine ---!
Written by: Jenny Peddle