Dear Parents and Students,

It is with great excitement that we offer Year 9, 10 and 11 students the opportunity to participate in a Language and Cultural Tour to France in 2025. The tour is planned to take place at the end of Term 4, 2025, and will run for approximately two weeks, beginning during Woodleigh's Broadening Horizons Week. The proposed dates are to be confirmed.

This opportunity for cultural immersion and academic enrichment, will foster a lifelong appreciation for French culture and its global impact. Immersion in French culture will deepen students' understanding of art, history, and language, broadening their horizons and enhancing language skills. This transformative experience connects directly to VCE Art Creative Practice and History, developing critical thinking, cultural awareness, and visual literacy. Students of French will experience a rich, immersive Francophone environment, gaining confidence and fluency in practical language skills through daily interactions. This accessible, short-term alternative to traditional exchange programs offers intensive language practice and cultural exploration. Accompanied by a French-speaking staff member, students will explore key historical sites, including the Bayeux Tapestry, providing invaluable insight into the Battle of Hastings, a key Year 8 Humanities depth study. The tour will also explore the significance of the Normandy landings in WWII. Modern history enrichment continues with visits to the Palace of Versailles and key French Revolution sites, offering a rich example of change and continuity in Europe. Students will document their experiences through voice memos, journals,  essays, or artwork, sharing their journeys at the start of the following academic year. This immersive experience promises to be both academically enriching and personally transformative.

Real world application
In addition to practical language use, students will participate in French-led tours of museums and historical sites, allowing them to engage with French art and history in the language itself. By doing so, they will deepen their understanding of how culture and language intertwine, moving beyond textbook knowledge to real-world application.

Learning on-site
In addition to an exploration of the Bayeux Tapestry, Normandy will be the site where students develop their knowledge of the European theatre of WWII following on their study of the War in the Pacific in 9 History. The significance of the Normandy landings and campaign will be a key experience – this museum complex is world renowned. To learn about this aspect of WWII in-person and onsite would be unique.

Connections – VCE links
The Palace of Versailles and other historical sites of Paris will provide immense opportunity to link with VCE History. The study of the Paris Peace Conference is the first topic addressed in Unit 1 History, whilst gaining knowledge of the French Revolution would be most valuable as a comparative case study leading into Units 3-4: Revolutions. Links to 20th century History will feature throughout the proposed trip.

The study part
At the outset of the tour, students will formulate inquiry questions aligned with the MYP and RFP models, such as, "How does the architecture of a place influence cultural practices and language?" Throughout the journey, they will document their observations to address these questions.

For students of French: CLIL approach throughout. Reflective journalling in French each day.

Students visiting locations and experiencing artworks and architecture will be asked to think critically on location, fostering analytical thinking and cultural awareness. Students will be taught Visual Thinking Strategies, aiding their understanding of analysis and critical thinking. Visual Thinking Strategies are a teaching method that uses visual art to help students develop critical thinking, communication, and visual literacy skills.

Students will compare their world to French culture, investigating similarities and differences of contemporary artworks, indigenous perspectives and regeneration practices.

Opportunities for sharing
Upon return, students will embark on a reflective process, documenting their experiences and learnings. By sharing their personal journeys, strengthening conversational French and group experiences at the start of the following academic year, 2026, students will foster a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of their time in France.

The overall cost of the tour depends on the number of participants. At this stage, we are estimating a cost for 15 students and three teachers, with the price expected to be approximately $8,330.00 including meals, accommodation, flights, museum and gallery entry and transfers.

Students will need to provide their own spending money for meals not included in the itinerary, as well as personal expenses (such as souvenirs). We recommend students save between $500 and $600 for spending money, which should be sufficient for the duration of the two-week tour.

Students will be responsible for acquiring a current passport with at least six months' validity remaining from the return date. Students holding passports from other countries will need to discuss this with us personally. Travel insurance is covered under the school’s insurance policy, so you do not need to purchase a separate policy.

In planning to take a group of students overseas, we will need to have approximate numbers of participants confirmed as soon as possible. We will begin making bookings, with confirming flights and accommodation as a priority.

We request that you confirm your child’s interest by paying a 25% deposit of $2,082.50 by Friday, 28th February. Please make the payment via the deposit and confirmation link provided in the email.

Below is a copy of the proposed itinerary.

Please be in touch if you have any questions. I look forward to discussing this opportunity further.

Kind regards

EMMA CLEINE
Arts Learning Area Leader                                                      

TOM RYAN            
Humanities Learning Area Leader

VAISHALI KENTISH
French Teacher                                

PRUE PATTERSON                            
Languages Learning Area Leader

Le début

Day 1: Depart Melbourne Airport. Flight to Paris CDG Airport.

Day 2: Arrive in Paris, check into hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. (Paris overnight)

Day 3: Sightseeing in Paris, including a visit to the world-famous Louvre Museum. (Paris overnight)

Day 4: Visit to Versailles Palace (Paris overnight)

Day 5: More sightseeing in Paris, including a trip to Montmartre art district & Sacré Cœur (Paris overnight)

Le milieu

Day 6: Transfer to Reims. Visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral. (Reims overnight)

Day 7: Day trip to Hautvilliers, including the UNESCO listed Hautvilliers Abbey. (Overnight in Huntvilliers)

Day 8: A day in the life in a French high school student in Reims, at Lycée Marc Chagall (overnight in Reims)

Day 9: Train to Rouen. Walking tour of the city (overnight in Rouen)

Day 10: Exploring the birthplace of the Impressionist movement: Musée des Beaux Arts, Seine river cruise. (Overnight in Rouen)

La fin

Day 11: Train to Caen. Tour of the Chateau de Caen, built by William the Conqueror, followed by a visit to the multimodal museum covering the history of WW2, the Battle of Normandy and the Cold War. (overnight in Caen)

Day 12: Day trip to Bayeux. Visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and either the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy or the MAHB Baron Gérard Art and History Museum (overnight in Bayeux)

Day 13: Transfer to the island of Mont Saint Michel and its famous UNESCO-listed abbey. Stay overnight. (overnight Mont Saint Michel)

Day 14: Bus from St Mont Michel to Paris. Local dinner. Stay at hotel overnight. (Paris overnight)

Day 15: Transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Flight back to Melbourne.