Day 3

Bonjour!

Well we woke to rain again this morning but it had cleared to light showers by the time we got to school.

                                                   Very grey as you can see!

We spent the first period in an empty classroom and that was good because we had a good chat with everyone. They were all full of what they ate for dinner and breakfast and what they did after school yesterday.  Most said they felt homesick and we had a good discussion about what made them feel better etc. They had some good strategies.  Jayla said she really missed her little brother, Odin and yet the night before in Auckland she was saying how blissful it was without him!  Hopefully they will appreciate things a little more when we get home!

After our little meeting the kids all went into English classes and helped with their English as they did a few exercises together and then played a game.

At 9am we headed into town on the bus to the City Museum. This was really interesting and the kids spent an hour wandering around the numbered exhibits listening to their commentary in English. The building was erected in 1885 as New Caledonia's first bank. It was fully restored in the 1990s after various uses for the city, and became the city Museum. New Caledonia was a penal colony and the convicts built much of the early city. By 1910, convict convoys had finished and the Governor was developing free colonisation. From 1891 Asian labourers began coming here to work under contract to replace the convicts in mines and on plantations. This was the beginning of the three faces of New Caledonia coming into being: Melanesian, European and Asian (particularly Vietnamese, who also came from a french speaking country in those days). Downstairs had a very detailed explanation of New Caledonia's involvement in WW1 and included some striking replica scenes of the Great War.

                                                  Ben listening keenly to his commentary.

                                                           Part of the WW1 display

                                                                Life in the trenches.

                                                       Working with interactive displays

                                                      Group photo in front of the old car.

We had an hour to spare after our Museum visit so we took the kids over the road to Coconut Square. This is a long rectangle of coconut palms, gardens and statues - an oasis bang smack in the centre of the city.  With their partners the kids could investigate the shops around the edge of the square. They were breaking their necks to get out there and relieve themselves of some of their spending money!

I'm sorry to say that Linda and Kevin, you did have a nice gift each but it was left behind on the bus! Some are learning the hard way to look after their own belongings! We've had a few instances of gear being left behind!

                                      TIS students being the object of attention this morning.

We always comment on how many of the girls, especially the older ones,  have a natural grace and elegance about them.  Jean Mariotti College goes up to Year 10. They are usually more worldly than our kids also and even seem to accessorise effortlessly - must be part of the french genes! I can see why teachers would love uniforms introduced, but apparently the parents at this school didn't want uniforms.

Me with two longstay students from Jean Mariotti College who stayed with us in Taupo for a month two years ago. Luna and Robin loved their stay and Robin is heading off to Auckland Grammar for his final two years of College in February.

                                                Teaching the french kids how to bottle flip.

Jed holding court with his harem!

                                                    Lining up for classes after lunch.

They found the lunch break really long - 1 1/2 hours in which the kids just sit / stand around and talk. They have no equipment out or organised games and competitions.  Some were going to Physics or chemistry this afternoon and others to History and Geography, French, Spanish and Technology. It will give the Year 8s a taste of next year for their first year at College!

The locker area. 

Tomorrow we are off to Phare Amedee, the Lighthouse Island, so we really hope the rain has gone by then. If the sea is as still as it was today, it should be a great boat ride though.

                                                        Looking across at Anse Vata beach

                   

Au revoir from the TIS travellers until tomorrow!