An exhibition on the theme of ‘The Victorians’ was organized in the lycée CDI with the help of the librarian, Mme Gavenda. The starting point for the 1ère English class was their study of Victorian authors Christina Rossetti and Oscar Wilde, and they produced posters on a wide range of topics from pre-Raphaelites to the Impact of Evolution. The 2nde H-G class created posters on themes relating to the Industrial Revolution in the North of England. The European Section created an intriguing game where students had to match original Victorian paintings with their modernized versions, and a separate room housed 19th century editions of books from the period, as well as Victorian costumes. Several French teachers and their classes enjoyed visiting the exhibition and answering a quiz created for them.

The highlight of the week was our annual poetry and drama evening. Troisième participants in the ‘Poetry by Heart’ competition came to recite their winning poems, the Terminale class showed off their mastery of Shakespearean verse in a powerful extract from Shakespeare’s Richard III and 14 2nde and 1ère students put on a performance of an adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Many after-school rehearsals paid off with a very amusing, polished performance of extracts from Wilde’s witty play. A much-appreciated extra performance was scheduled for a full house of European Section students earlier in the week.

A group of enthusiastic SI parents and Mrs Rosenfeld rounded off the week with a fish and chips lunch in the canteen. Tables were set up where students could speak English over lunch, and parents reported some very interesting exchanges, although it wasn’t always easy to motivate students to join them!

Terminale students and Mrs Besic spent an inspiring long weekend revising with the previous Head of English at Sèvres, Paddy Salmon, in his beautiful house in Normandy. A studious but enjoyable time was had by all, and the work seemed less onerous sitting in the garden, bathed in an unusually warm March sunshine.