St. Colmcille's Community School

On the 9th of October 30 French students from Lille in France arrived in St. Colmcille's Commounity School not knowing what the next week held for them. The 40 Irish pupils participating in the exchange were eager to finally meet their French student. We gathered in the hall where the atmosphere was buzzing. We were paired up with our exchange partners and then preceded down to a classroom to show the French studnets what Irish culture was all about. There were Irish dancers awaiting our arrival along with a group of studnets with their traditional Irish instruments. After the reception we went outside to play Gaelic games. It took a while fo the French pupils to catch on but they eventually did!! Afterwards we went home; the French Students were a bit upset as they missed home! That evening we brought them all out together and soon they forgot about missing home!

Every day the school kindly organised days out for the students to Grafton Street for shopping, The Zoo and Carlingford Adventure Centre.

For the weekend the exchange partners were left together and the fun started to roll! We generally brought our partners out in groups and my goodness, I don't think the French could have gone home saying they left out anything! We brought them to places like the National Aquatic Centre, Fort Lucan, Dundrum Town Centre, and Tennis in Bushy Park.

On Saturday night we all got together to watch the France V England rugby match; there was most definitely a great amount of tension in the house. Although the French lost it didn't dampen their night!

Sadly on October 16th the French Students departed and no longer was the atmosphere filled with joy and laugher. Tears were streaming down the participants faces and hugs and "bisous" (kiss on the cheek) wer being handed out left, right and centre. When the French partners reluctantly got on the bus and departed, the rest of us sadly returned back to class.

The week was one that will remain fond in all our finds forever. We would like to thank Ms. Hanlon, Ms. Daly & Ms. Waters for organising the French Exchange for us.

By Cliodhna O'Sullivan & Ciara Darker