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  • Trip to London

    Du 6 au 8 juin 2012, la classe de Seconde 1 est partie à Londres.

          Voici quelques notes de voyage accompagnées de quelques photos empruntées aux journaux de voyage de deux élèves.

    A touch of London that colours your week!

    Day 1

    -08h15.AM: La Baule Escoublac, train station

    -Ready to invade London?

    -Sir! Yes Sir! Lycée Grand Air's one and only class of 2°1 is ready to go.

    -Backpacks on shoulders?

    -Check!

    -Passport in hand?

    -Check!

    -Constance 1, Jean, Coline, Constance 2, Aude, Marie, Quentin, Ophélie 1, Delphine, Martin, James, Joshua, Léopold, Pauline, Caroline, Thomas, Sarah, Tiphaine, Louise, Claire, Agathe, Ophélie 2, Robyn ?

    -Check! Erwan is in mission in the US and Owain stays at the base and Charlotte awaits us in London as scout, Sir!

    -08h30.AM: La Baule Escoublac, train station

    The train arrives at last and the class accompanied by Miss Giraud and Sir Guerer disappears in its metal insides.

    -09h24.AM: Nantes, train station

    The group gets out of the train

    -Hello Nantes!

    -10h05.AM: Nantes, train station

    After a short wait in the station, the class prepares to face the deadly 4h01 of journey by train, for destination: Lille Europe station.

    -Goodbye Nantes!

    Everyone battles to find a seat fitting his personal criteria such as: NEXT TO MY FRIENDS!!!!! Once all are seated, various groups formed, different activities begin. Card games (no bets of money I swear!...well, I think not...hopefully!), reading (or not?), listening to music,talking and, of course, eating our picnic. Suddenly, when half of the class is actively taking a nap (maybe not so actively in fact) after lunch (eating is veeeeery tiresome) a shadow appears, and the train conductor emerges from the dark entrails of the train! (from behind the glass door actually, but it's not fun) With a wide grin on his face, he proposes to show us his magic and requests a game of cards. Once such provided, he displays his amazing powers (his nimble fingers) in front of the bewildered students. Quickly, a friendship sets up between the wondrous man and the pupils.

    -14h06.PM: Lille Europe, train station

    We arrive to Lille Europe.

    Note to oneself:

    -We're friends with the voice of the train!!! (=our private magician)

    Changing€ £, realising we have forgotten our wallet at home and we have NO money (aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!), waiting, waiting, waiting and passing through security checks for the Eurostar)

    -15h34.PM: Lille Europe, train station

    The Eurostar arrives, nearly everyone in the class is eating chewing-gum (thanks Quentin!!!) and here comes the War To Sit Next To My Friend (WTSNTMF) II! All claim victory as the train takes us away from France. Darkness falls, our ears begin to hurt.

    -Farewell France, my beloved country!

    It's pitch black outside, the lights are on inside but it is still dim.

    …............................................................................................................................................................

    D 2

    Sorry, I am unable to fill you in with details on this part (I fell asleep).

    -16h03.PM (local time) : London St Pancras station

    -Hellooooooooooo LONDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    We meet up with Charlotte and arrive at our hotel after taking the underground. A band of little French devils appear at one of the windows and observe us attentively while we wait for our room keys to be given to us. I think we have astonished them with our...peculiar behaviour. We settled down and went to the refectory to eat. We discovered a new type of nuggets: filled in with a weird white sauce and herbs and were taken back in the centre of London by the underground, did some shopping, and visited Covent Garden at night. We were given an hour and a half to walk around, during which we enjoyed listening to a street singer sing love songs.P1020372P1020443

    After 8 hours of journey in the train, our arrival in the train station of London St Pancras, where we were welcomed by the Olympic rings. We were 24 students of 2nde 1, accompanied by Mrs. Giraud and M. Guérer.

     

    P1020546We stayed from the 6th to the 8thof June in Palmer's Lodge, near Willesdeen Green station. The boys were separated in two bedrooms of four beds and the girls in three bedrooms, two with four beds and one with ten beds !

     

    P1020434  

    On the second and the third day, we had a pic-nic for lunch that had been prepared for us by the lodge. On the second day, in the evening, we ate in an indian restaurant, which was a great idea. The dishes were delicious but very spicy so many of us drank a lot of water ! P1020551

     

    After this delicious meal, we went to the Globe to see Shakespeare's Henry V, which we had studied in class. We really enjoyed this performance which was brilliant !

    P1020560 

    We went to the British Museum just before leaving. We all admired the Rosetta Stone and sculptures from the Partenon. Then we all chose which part of the Museum we wanted to visit. It was a very interesting visit although we didn't have time to se everything !

     By Constance Armengaud et Agathe Pervier, 2nde 1

     

     

     

  • Theater Workshop

    The Importance of Being Ernest

    01

    All the pupils in the 2nde international class, the 2nde 1, enjoyed a theater workshop organized by Mrs. Blasco and supervised by a professional actor, Jonathan Hayes , from the company Orca Theatre, who also gives theatre workshops for the Théâtre en Anglais company. This English-born actor, trained at Guilford Drama School has been living in France for thirty years and has performed with the troupe of the Théâtre du Soleil of Ariane Mouchkine and with Peter Brook 's actors. He also acts just as well in French as in English. He has also mastered the art of mask in the Commedia dell'arte.  A link allows you to get acquainted with his company.


    This course was held in the Maison des Lycéens on Tuesday 20    th and in the school auditorium on Wednesday,March 21st which is our ‘theatre’.  It ended with a performance of scenes from The Importance of Being Ernestwhich had been worked during these two days and in the five hours of lessons the previous week where Mrs Blasco worked on pronunciation, diction and intonation and expression. The workshops focused first of all on physical warm-ups, group-building, improvisation and how to work confidently in the theatre space. 18

     

    Nine students had already successfully performed in early March in the play Our Country's Good at the beginning of the month, but for most others it was a first acting experience. All embarked on the adventure with enthusiasm and curiosity. Having attended part of the course, I can testify to everyone's work, the attention of groups gathered in the ‘wings’, watching the actors performing and ready to respond in turn. We must congratulate them at having rising to such a challenge: They had to first master the text, quickly slip in one or even two, roles, learn to project their voice, to look at the audience, to move around the stage, to consider the presence of other actors on the set (oh, this is difficult when the temptation is to be overwhelmed by personal apprehension!). They also learned to work with the props. The Importance of Being Ernest is a comedy, the characters were played by several actors in turn. The changes took place on the stage, the transfer of props and accessories (hats, tie, jacket ...) allowed the audience to follow the thread of the story. These exchanges of costumes in full view of the audience fitted well in a plot where identity is such a central preoccupation . This added to the comedy, especially as the players stayed in character to exchange items in a carefully choreographed exchange.

    The audience of about 20 enthusiastic parents and the CPE, Florence Duval arrived punctually at 6.pm to enjoy the 40 minute performance and of course applaud a great success! 

    13  41...qui finit... 30  22

  • Jersey

    032[2]   D 1, 12th of march

    Everyone was at the meeting point well on time and we had a trouble free journey.The sea was calm and the fog lifted as soon as we arrived in Jersey.We have had a beautiful spring day

    076[2]

     Montorgueil Castle154[2] is only five minutes away and the children had a great time exploring.The hostel is bright, comfortable and welcoming. After a hearty supper, everyone is now ready for an early night; curfew is a t 9.30 and tomorrow we are off to explore the war tunnels.

    026[2]

    D 2, 13th of math

        008

         After a pillow fight, a game of football between the beds and a few raised voices we finally got everyone off to bed and they were in fact exhausted.Breakfast at 7.45

          This morning, everyone sweet smelling and well rested.Managed to squeeze all  of us into the bus to the war tunnels.The children were very interested and worked hard at their   253


    231worksheets.A pleasant walk down to the021 seafront to catch the bus into St Helier for a couple of hours shopping.Home made burger, chips and fresh  salad for supper then we corrected the quiz on the war Tunnels.Are now turning in for an early night.
    D 3, 14th of march

      

    Another day! Our plan was to go landsailing but this proved rather a problem as there was not a breath of wind! Instead, we were offered abseiling(for those who don’t know what it is it is basically walking down a sheer cliff (attached  - fortunately - to several ropes!) J3-1We set off in group for a walk along the coast up to St Catherine’s (one group having gone round in circles took rather longer than the others!).Some of the children were rather apprehensive but they all had a go and we were especially proud of the ones who had overcome their fear.J3-3The fog did lift today and give way to brilliant sunshine.After eating our sandwiches on the seafront we all squezed onto a bus and off we went to St Helier for a tour of the market.The most difficult part was keeping the girls away from the shops again. J3-6After another hearty supper (bangers, mash and chocolate cake) the children are now split into houses and writing up their reports of the week so far.Looking  forward to a good sleep, we are all happy but exhausted!!

     J3-5J3-4J3-2J3-7

      

    D 4, 15th of march 

    J4 2J4 3J4

    Up at 7 o’clock and breakfast at 7.45 as usual. Our outing today was to Durrell Wildlife Conservation Park where after a quick first look round, we were booked in with a young zoologist for four workshops. She told us about Gerald Durrell’s life, work and aims, why he founded the zoo....Through games and role play, she made them think about biodiversity and conservation in a fun way.J4 4

    After a picnic lunch the children prepared ‘food parcels’ of bamboo and porridge which were then given to the gorillas who found them very tasty. Back to the Education J4 5centre for the last workshop, seeing and stroking bugs and reptiles. Back to the hostel which is now beginning to feel like home ! Fish and chip supper then J4 6work on their reports and quizz of the day.

    Tomorrow we are hoping for a bit of a lie in with breakfast at 9 o’clock before leaving for our bushcraft course near the hostel. If we all survive our grasshopper snacks then we should be arriving in La Baule at about 20.30h – 20h45h.

     

  • Our Country's Good

    AND THEY DID..............!Our-Country-s-Good 5890

    Our Country's Good is a 1988 play written by British playwright, Timberlake Wertenbaker.

    The play's first production was at the Royal Court Theater in London.

     

    The story is a matter of historical record. It concerns a group of Royal Marines and convicts in a penal colony in New South Wales (Australia), in the 1780s, who put on a production ofThe Recruting Officer by Our-Country-s-Good 5719George Farquhar, directed by 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Clark.The play shows the class system and violence in the convict camp and the idea that it is possible for « theater to be a humanising force » that has the power to transform even those whom society considers unredeemable. Many of the military officers, as Major Robbie Ross, were against this idea. With Governor Phillip's sanction, Ralph and his players overcame a severe adversity to realize the production of the play.10

     

    The action is sometimes interrupted by short speeches from an unnamed Aboriginal Australian, who charts the British settlement's effect on the indigenous populations : curiosity, confusion, and finally fear and illness.


    The young actors had to perform roles with strong personalities and complex,far removed from their world, but they are able to capture that story that touched them and they worked hard for this great result. All have played fair and gave life to their characters be it an enlightened man, like Governor Philip (Charlotte Slater), an officer 35convinced of his superiority of race and cast, as Major Ross (Lefa Mondon), a captive rebel like Liz (Eugenie Lawson), sweet as Mary (Agathe Pervier), love as Duckling (SelenaChalet), combative as Dabby (Manon Ardeois). The public could only beshocked by the harshness of officers, Tench (Constance Levy-B), Dawes(Leanne Gaury), Johnston (Emily Trémoureux), Campbell (Louise Parsons),Faddy (Coline Bedel) all well drawn, which semi defended slavery of prisoners, each with their arguments or no argument, such as Captain Campbell and his strange humour. The evolution of Captain Collins (Constance Armangaud) was finely expressed. Finally, we must salute the remarkable performance of Ralph (Quentin Carlier), a character on stage all throughout the play, or opportunistic careerist at first, then convinced of the benefits of this theatrica18l adventure. We laugh at the Reverend Johnson (Taipei Dlamini) conscious of good character in the camp. The madness of poor Harry (Pierre Thierry), the Midship, was poignant. The male prisoners were real figures: Ketch (Guillaume Dubert), despite his executioner, Sideway (Pauline Legal) the flexible pickpocket passionate about theater, Wisehammer (Delphine Dubert and Coline Bedel) the reader of dictionaries, Ascott (Emilie Trémoureux) who finds peace in acting, Black Cesar (Kaohsiug Dlamini) lost on these shores. And we will long remember the Aborigine (Taipei Dlamini) shouting his helpless distress.

    The play opened with a moving song led by Charlotte Slater followed by the chorus of others actors, and immediately after the lashes suffered by Sideway.
    The simplicity of the decor consists of several cubes arranged in stage showcased the sinister threat of rope hanging the unfortunate prisoners. Thus was realized on stage the two poles of the debate that carries the show: to punish or educate the scene.Our-Country-s-Good 5856

    Julien Gely was to be governed and organized a set of lights which outlined the action steps.
    Final 1Finally the costumes prepared by Mrs. Chalet served the acting and brought harmony of colors and shapes.

    One can only admire the quality of this show, to celebrate this wonderful evening and congratulations to all those who participated.

  • All on stage

    Theatre in English project 2011-2012

         Since last September, 19 students from the 2nde, 1èreand Terminale classes of the British Section as well as one 2nde student who loves theatre have been working on performing a contemporary English play, under Mrs Blasco's direction.

       They have been rehearsing on Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 4 pm in the High School amphitheatre and have also been able to rehearse for two whole weekends in situ at the La Baule MJC, on the very stage where both performanceswill take place. Julien GELY, actor and director, helped the students with the staging of the play.

         Our Country 's Good is a play written in 1988 by Timberlake Wertenbaker.

         An upcoming blog post will cover this topic at length. The action takes place in the 18th century, in Australia, where the English Royal Navy escorted convicts, future settlers of that country.

         On January 25, the British Section blogger attended the rehearsal and interviewed the young actors as well as their teacher.

         Right away, Mrs Blasco reminds everyone that theatre work requires concentration and attention. They are indeed focused but this afternoon is also about sharing the pleasure of acting. Six weeks away from show time, each of them has gotten into his or her character and knows how to move about the stage. Nearly all of them have mastered their lines. This particular rehearsal is about delivery, tone of voice and gestures. While one group is on stage, the rest of the students rehearse in the hallway, go over their lines or watch the actors.

     

    How did their desire to participate in this theatre project come about?

    - I’ve been acting for 2 years, says Pierre who is in Terminale S, last year, I played some small characters, but it’s always interesting and this play is part of this year’s curriculum.

    Kaohsiung et Taipei , both TS students, add that they always enjoy acting and thatperforming contemporary theatre after having performed Shakespeare is simpler and it’s easier to understand the Répétition 5theme of the play.Kaohsiung thinks that the play can move everyone. Guillaume, also a TS student,regretted not performing last year and took the opportunity he got this year. Eugénie and Lefa from 1ere S have always wanted to perform theatre. Agathe feels the same way. The 2nde students are taking part for the first time in the preparation of an entire play but Quentin, Pauline, Agathe and Constance already performed a scene fromMacbeth at the 10thanniversary of the British Section in 2011. Finally, Émilie, who is not a British Section student, has been performing on stage since CM2, and has even been noticed by Laurent Deutsch who saw her in Mozart. What she’d like to do now is improve her English.

     

    Which characters do they play? Did they easily get in character? How did they accomplish that?

    -Mrs Blasco explains that in this play, there are 18 roles, but the playwright requested that only 9 actors perform when the play was first staged. The author also wanted each actor to play a character that would completely differ from their own identity i.e. a man would play a woman and vice versa. There are far more than 9 students in the theatre group and respecting this wish was not possible, but since this play is built on a play within a play principle, the young actors still have to play some pretty disconcerting roles.

    For instance, Pauline plays Robert Sideway, a pickpocket prisoner, sweet Eugénie plays a particularly rebellious female prisoner, Lefa is THE bad guy in the play, an imposing officer who is absolutely against putting on a theatre play in the colony...

    -My character, Harry, is insane, the people he killed talk through him, it’s not an easy part and on top of that, he’s a sailor whose language is more unusual that the other prisoners’. I worked with Mrs Blasco as well as at home, says Pierre. It’s definitely not easy to play a character so different from yourself, emphasizes Eugénie, I have to focus and even watched a video on Youtube in which Vanessa Bolt goes through an angry monologue, which helped me. Pauline agrees: acting requires a lot of energy.  And Guillaume who plays James Freeman, (the man named Ketch because he was forced by the other characters to become the executioner), finds this role complex, all the more so because theRépétition 3 character is very concerned about how other people perceive him and has to evolve.

    Lefa had to find ways to compensate for her small stature: I yell, raise my voice, I work on gestures, stand on a table...Delphine also found it difficult to play a male character. Thankfully, she got some coaching from William, Mrs Blasco‘s son.

    Louise also plays a weird character.But some of the actresses did not find it too hard to play their respective role: Charlotte, because she plays a character with whom she agrees, Agathe and Constance because they share some personality traits with their characters. Quentin plays his character, Ralph, with pleasure but notes that 300 lines of text is a lot!

     

    What does theatre bring to the students’ lives?

    -They unanimously say how much it improves their English skills, but also mention much more: It allows me to see how far I can go, says Eugénie. It gives me confidence and self assurance states Pauline,  I’m having fun, I’m meeting people, I’m discovering this play, explains Lefa, and I learned a lot about theatre. Constance adds : It helps with self expression, oral expression and now, when I’m reading a book, I pay more attention to the psychology of the characters and to the way they interact. And it also brought together a dynamic group, we learn to get to know people. Agathe approves: it’s great when we are all together. They all said  it’s great! It’s fantastic!

    Mrs Blasco mischievously concludes that, in this play where the characters become beginner actors learning how to perform in a theatre play, there are times when the text describes exactly what is happening for the students who are going through this experienceand when the director, herself, findsRépétition 6 in the play the same patient comments that she makes to her young students.

     

    There’ll be more Wednesday rehearsals and even another Sunday of work on February 26. Two performances are scheduled, one for Friday March 2 and the other for Saturday March 3 at 19h30 at the La Baule MJC.

     

    Ten students from the theatre group as well as 20 students from the British Section 1ere will be attending a performance of Macbeth on February 9.

    The play is performed in English by the students of the British Section of the Lycée de Saint-Germain-en-Laye under the direction of Mrs Claire Lewis.

    « This theatre group has been a source of inspiration for Grand Air ever since our first visit to their location in 2003 to see The Norman Conquests. This experience made our then students want to get started in English-speaking theatre. The 'Why can't we do that?'son the bus trip back gave birth to a theatre group, ever changing naturally, but always awed by the magic of the theatre. The renewal of a school theatre group has to take place each year, sometimes with challenges at the beginning, but the combination of the enthusiasm of the newcomers and the ease that experience brings make for an enriching experience for all participants » emphasizes Mrs Blasco.

     

    Translated by Sylvie Wiggins