Fashion Show S1 entertained the whole school on Wed 24 June by putting on a fashion Show explaining what they were wearing in Gaelic and French. The costumes were from a variety of themes- Rock and Roll, Summer Wear, Sport, 50's and 60's and wedding. Later they showed Power Point Presentations on fashion done in Home Economics. They were helped by some S2 and Pr 7 pupils.
French Competition
The school has recently paid for S1 French pupils to take part in a national competition, the first of its kind, called “Le Grand Défi” (The Big Challenge), organised by Linguascope.
The level was very difficult, because the aim was not so much to know the answers in advance but to work them out by means of educated guesswork. This is in keeping with the principles of the Curriculum for Excellence, in which pupils are encouraged to make connections between languages (and other subjects) and develop their reasoning and confidence. The scoring system was difficult too and may be revised if the competition runs next year; but you may like to know that the national average was 6.25 and our highest score was 26.
There was a good effort from S1, and from the two S2 pupils who did the competition just for the practice. Each pupil in S1 received a certificate and badge, and a stationery pack containing a ruler, pen, pencil and eraser.
S1 have enjoyed doing some interesting things in French this year and should enter S2 with every expectation to work hard and do well. Top of page
Mini-Rap Once S1 boys got the idea of possessive adjectives there was no stopping them . . . as their teacher (on camera!) found out. Enjoy the mini-rap
and especially Seumas making the whole thing go with a swing. Top of page
Un déjeuner français
S1 and 2 pupils and some staff were regaled on Wednesday 18th March with a superb meal in Ffrench style. Our cook Rae did us proud, with French Onion Soup, baguettes and croissants with various fillings, and chocolate gateaux that could only be described as sublime. At the staff table we were careful to observe the French rule of etiquette where one should never cut “le nez du Brie” (the nose of the Brie), but leave it for someone else and take a slice from the side of the cheese.
Thanks to all the S1 pupils for their hard work in making decorations and in helping with the preparation of the meal. Thanks also to members of staff who supported the occasion, and especially to Rae and her staff. Top of page
The Sea Project has given S1 a chance to look more closely at the Mediterranean seaside resort where their pen friends live. In finding out what water sports are available in la Seyne Sur Mer in the South of France, they have been learning Il y a and Il n’y a pas (“ there is/are” and the negative); also the phrases On peut faire and On ne peut pas faire for things they can and can’t do, compared with North Uist. This fits in perfectly with their current learning of the verbs avoir and faire. They have made posters about this and have been filmed reading aloud their comments.
Dans la Boutique
Our S1 thespians have recently been practising shopping scenarios. However, as usual, Nicky, Robbie, Angus and MacAulay had to go one step further . . .
In this clip Nicky plays the poor shopkeeper trying to serve the old lady (Robbie) with her packet of biscuits. Angus, the nonchalant teenager, strolls in, but he has an ulterior motive, in which he is aided by his accomplice MacAulay. Who wins the day? Find out by watching
(In the Shop).
n.b. the credits should read Macauley: Le Complice. Top of page
Frankenstein
S1 have been learning the verb “être” (to be) with the help of the Frankenstein story: Je suis quoi? What am I? Tu es mon fils! You are my son! says Nicky.
Angus, as the monster, even manages to use the respectful form of ‘you’ – “Etes-vous mon père?” Are you my father?)
The pupils write the dialogue for their short sketches themselves and learn it, and the rest of the class is their audience. So they are using writing, reading, speaking and listening skills, in kinaesthetic (action) learning.
S2 have been doing cartoon strips of the Frankenstein story, focusing on question and negative forms, with adjectives – Suis-je beau? Am I handsome? (till he asks for a mirror!) - Tu n’es pas moche! You’re not ugly!
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Let’s not forget Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, (a contribution from Sarah MacDonald):
« Etre ou ne pas être? Telle est la question ».
(To be or not to be? That is the question). Top of page
French Connection
S1 have been talking and writing in English about Christmas in North Uist, to give their French friends in La Seyne sur Mer, France, an opportunity to listen to native speakers of English. We are sending the accompanying text, in case the French pupils find North Uist accents a bit different from what they are used to hearing in their English classes!
The French pupils have sent us some written accounts of their morning routine before school, and it will be interesting for our pupils next term to write a comparison in French to send them.
This short sketch act1act 2 was written entirely by a group of S1 pupils. Nicky plays Michael, an English-speaking pen friend who arrives unexpectedly in France. He discovers that speaking French is not the only problem; Hannah is unimpressed “un mec anglais bête” and the fair Catrin is immune to his Gallic charms, as she already has a boyfriend (played by Angus). ‘Michael’ deals peremptorily with his rival but is forced at the end to accept reality (displayed by Sarah as a last-minute extra) that Catrin “aime un autre” loves another.
The stimulus for this sketch was the first episode of a televised series, “Extra”, from Channel 4 Learning. We look forward to more from this talented group!
The scoring system was difficult too and may be revised if the competition runs next year; but you may like to know that the national average was 6.25 and our highest score was 26. 
