2013-2014 with Acajou 1 European Section

The European Section of Acajou 1 is designed for students who wish to improve their practice of the English language. It’s really interesting to participate in plenty activities. During the 2013-2014 school year, we started by just commenting on documents very thoroughly. It was informative and quite fun as the documents were cartoons and paintings.

The European Section also implies getting involved in various projects as on Valentine’s Day 2014 when we sold pretty bracelets -that is a way of collecting money for the school trips to come- or the Press Week. We had the visit of journalists working with Fey Magazine, a local publication dedicated to the protection of the environment. We interviewed the journalists and asked them about their jobs. We learnt much about a journalist’s life. It was a great meeting.

Before that, on December 14, 2013, we had started the year with a beautiful event: the tenth anniversary of Acajou 1 European Section. We organised a great exhibition with the students, their parents, and some guests. It was wonderful. Everybody was happy and satisfied. We presented our work and future plans such as the Comenius projects.

There are currently two Comenius projects under way in Acajou 1. One is about water and is called “Europe takes the plunge!”; the other “Melting away for the climate” focuses on sustainable development. Comenius is a famous 16th-century Greek philosopher who always wished to improve education. Comenius projects favour the cooperation between various schools, closer relationships between European pupils and teachers and the practice of several languages. Besides, two girls of Acajou 1 went to Turkey thanks to one of the projects.

Several schools are involved in the project named “Europe takes the plunge!”: Acajou 1, Vimeu’s  Professional High School, Egalea Middle School, Lon Luca High School, MTE Middle School, and Josefina de la Torre High School. Since we take the plunge, we mostly work on water-related issues. It is very interesting. We even made brochures on the subject, more precisely on World Water Day. You could check what you know about that event by taking the short quiz we have prepared on the topic.

Thanks to the project, in 2013-2014, we were treated to a field trip in transparent kayaks. It was really an amazing experience that we will remember our lives long! It was fun and we learnt much about the ecosystem of our island. Check the school website: you will find the accounts some European students gave of our eco-excursion to Vauclin.

This school year, we’ll still work on water-related issues. For the first time, we have had to organise a debate because of the referendum on the possible independence of Scotland held in September 2014 (Check what one of us wrote about this activity). There will be other topics to work on and other events of course! So, don’t hesitate to read Branché –the school paper- and visit the school website!

Lovely JEAN-MARIE-PAUL/ Mélanie VOLTINE

European Section (Première)