Private School News

Staines Prep Pupils Take Spelthorne French Twin Town Trip

Fourteen pupils represented Staines Prep School as part of the annual ‘Semaine Européenne’ in Spelthorne’s French twin town Melun, from the 3rd to 11th May with Claire Eastaugh, French co-ordinator at the school and Deputy Headmaster Malcolm Amiss.

The week in Melun is a European project which coincides with the commemoration of the end of the second World War, VE day, on May 8th.

The Year 5 Pupils attended a French school for two days, visited Paris for a day and worked on the theme of this year’s project, ‘La Musique,’ which culminated in a concert involving all the children in a Melun Theatre. An exhibition was also held to show work on the theme from each country – Germany, France, Italy, Spain, England, Slovenia, Poland and Greece.

Chief executive of Spelthorne Council Roberto Tambino and Mayor Simon Bhadye and his wife Candy were also present during the week, attending the ceremony, visiting the centre where the children stayed, and the show.

Ms Eastaugh said, “The children had a wonderful time, practising their French, Spanish and Italian amongst other languages and exchanging addresses with their European counterparts. The week is a wonderful opportunity to remind us of the importance of cultural exchanges and of solidarity with our European neighbours.”

Picture: Pupils from Staines Prep celebrate VE Day outside the Town Hall at Melun, Spelthorne’s twin town:

Left to right: Staines Prep School (SPS) Governor Bob Davies and his wife, Cathy Davies, SPS French Coordinator Claire Eastaugh, Mrs & Mr Roberto Tambini (chief executive of Spelthorne Borough Council), Mayoress and Mayor of Spelthorne Candy and Simon Bhadye.