Boys give it some “Oh là là” at French Camp!
By Rohan O’Shea and Elaine Kelly | Posted: Monday July 1, 2024
We are thrilled to share the fantastic experience our senior French students had at this year's two-day French Camp, held at Camp Tirohanga just outside Mosgiel.
This annual event, which gathers French learners from various schools in Dunedin, is an experience that encourages students to speak lots of French and make links with other students of French and native speakers, enhances their French language skills and immerses them in the culture.
Our first morning started with a session at Otago University. Firstly, we all heard an inspiring talk by Sin Wen Lau, the head of the Language Faculty about the advantages of learning a second language. After that the Year 13 students took a tour of the university in French given by one of the French lecturers, Frederic Dichtel. Year 11 and 12 were kept busy with a goose-chase game which involved them carrying out different challenges in French, some ending in much hilarity.
As we hopped on the bus, we were delighted to hear our driver give his schoolboy French a go as we headed off to the Taieri. Camp Tirohanga's rural setting, free from WiFi, ensured that students were fully engaged as they participated in various activities designed to improve their French speaking skills, including engaging with other speakers, enjoying French food, and participating in fun and educational language games. A popular activity was putting together a TV show in French which was presented as the camp's final act. Our students took the bull by the horns and put on some greatly entertaining shows.
One of the camp's highlights was the French cake competition, where OBHS emerged victorious and Sunny Jiang’s homemade “Millefeuille” took top honours amongst a myriad of imaginatively decorated cakes! Just like in Masterchef, it all came down to flavour in the end! Other boys who got honourable mentions were Sullivan Blaikie, Matthew Chiles, Joshua Geddes, Conor McIntyre and Loius Fyfe.
Let’s not forget the yummy dinner which was a veritable Tour de France and Francophone countries! We enjoyed Poulet Marocain et ses Couscous from Morocco, a French-speaking overseas territory, Ratatouille from Provence, Pommes Lyonnaise - a potato and onion dish from Lyon, lots of baguette made right here in Dunedin by a real Frenchman at the Artisan Bakery and of course Profiteroles for dessert! Miam, miam!
Profiteroles were initially popularised by François Rabelais in 1500, although they were first introduced to the French court by the pastry chefs of Catherine de Medici when she married Louis II of France. Later it would be Antoine Carème, long regarded as France’s first celebrity chef, who in the 19th century added cream and caramel to create the now famous Croquembouche - popular today as a French wedding cake. It was Carème who first introduced the idea of eating meals in courses and who created many of the classic recipes which form the basis of French cuisine today. Not bad for a young boy who was abandoned at the gates of Paris because his family could not afford to feed him! Had a chef not taken pity on him, who knows where French cuisine would be today. He is a top example of courage and perseverance.
I am incredibly proud of our students for their enthusiasm and participation in this enriching experience. All of the boys worked hard to participate but in Year 11, Joshua Geddes must be commended for persevering in speaking so much French. A special shout-out also goes to Freddie Hore who was singled out as speaking the most French by all the other teachers and Rohan O’Shea for being an amazing all-round helper and manager in the kitchen.
Our appreciation also goes to French teaching colleagues from St Hilda’s Collegiate, Columba College, Logan Park High School and Queen’s High School and the NZALT (Otago/Southland Branch) as well as Otago University and Tui Tuia Learning Circle from the University of Auckand. Without the support of these organisations, French Camp would not be possible. This camp has proven to be a valuable and enjoyable experience for all who attended and is something for future senior students of French to look forward to.
Vive la France et bonne vacances! And of course, “Allez les Bleus”!
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