Friday 9 June

On Friday, Mrs. Ingham and Mrs. Wicks accompanied the Trinity boys and the whole of the French party on a day trip to Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby.

We stopped first at Flamborough Head, admiring the views across the bay.

Next stop was Robin Hood’s Bay, were we had lunch in the picnic area overlooking the bay, with wonderful views of the coastline. The weather was hot and sunny (as it always is in Yorkshire in June!), and the boys were entertaining the French girls with displays of arm wrestling, although Seb Pryboda says that the French girls were stronger than them all! A walk around the village and a hike back up the very steep hill, and we were then ready to set off for Whitby.

Whitby was looking at its best on Friday. We toured the Capt. Cook Memorial Museum first, starting off in the attic were the apprentices were lodged in days gone by and viewing the artefacts on display. Some free time followed, and the French party took the opportunity to clear all stocks of England merchandise in the local shops! (The flag mania hasn’t taken off in France, apparently.) We then took part in a Dracula guided tour, and whilst our French partners found the talk hard to follow, they certainly joined in the screaming in the tunnel with gusto! Time for fish and chips, and an early evening rendez-vous at the top of the 199 steps to re-join the coach at the abbey.

We arrived back in Hull at around 9 o’clock, and although we’d had a long day, the weather and the resorts had made it a memorable outing. The entente was most definitely cordiale!

Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 June

The French party went to York on day 2. They were accompanied by their partners from Kelvin Hall school. They reported having a wonderful day and, of course, the weather has been brilliant thus far. Let’s hope this continues.
On their return from York, the pupils were met by their partners from Trinity, who took them home, fed them and then rushed off to see the concert arranged by Ms Sempere and Mr. McGuigan. This involved a performance by a local artiste, Emma Rugg, who has been on TV a few times and who has made a couple of albums. Most onlookers and listeners said that they had really enjoyed the show and that it was well worth going. Emma used to be taught by Mr. Mc Guigan a few years ago and Ms. Sempere had also lodged at her home when Emma was about 11 or 12 years old. Hence the Anglo-French connection encore.

On Thursday, Trinity, Kelvin and Lherm pupils and staff went to The Deep and had a wonderful time. We hope you have seen as parents how well the children seem to be getting along and finding ways to communicate despite linguistic barriers at times. It is wonderful to see how friendships are being forged and just how well our parents at Trinity are supporting our boys and their French friends. The boys have one and all said that they are having a great time and have told us some excellent stories about how mams, dads and themselves communicate with the French pupils.The French pupils then went to Street life Museum after The Deep and again, they reported having a fun time.

The French staff were then invited to the home of the headmaster of Kelvin Hall, Mr. M. Doolan where they enjoyed a convivial evening eating, drinking and generally relaxing.
It is extraordinary how few problems we have encountered with the pairings of pupils: we have had no negative phone calls but very many positive ones. This is par for the course for Trinity parents. Your hospitality will be spoken of in Toulouse for a long time to come. Thank you again for all the efforts you have made helping the French children, collecting them after school and generally being superb hosts for the week.

Bon weekend and enjoy the World Cup. France don’t play till Tuesday, against Switzerland, by which time all the French pupils will be at home.

Thank you once more

Mr. S Mc Guigan & Mrs. G Ingham & Ms. Jean-Philippe Sempere & French staff.