Chigwell School’s Students Embrace Francophonie: A Celebration of Language, Culture, and Sustainability

On 24 March 2025, Chigwell School celebrated the International Day of La Francophonie, a unique occasion to highlight the richness of the French language and francophone cultures worldwide.

Francophonie is not just about the French language; it also embodies essential values such as friendship, sharing, tolerance, solidarity, mutual growth, and diversity.

This year, the theme of the celebration was "La Protection de Notre Planète," a topic that strongly aligns with Chigwell School's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Students from Years 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 came together to mark this special day with a series of creative and enriching activities. Year 6 and 7 students designed beautiful posters illustrating French words related to the environment, such as "trees" (arbres), "birds" (oiseaux), "recycling" (recyclage), "rivers" (rivières), and "sun" (soleil), and many more. Meanwhile, some Year 9 students showcased their artistic talents by creating stunning paintings and drawings inspired by nature. Year 8 students composed their own poems, while Year 10 and 12 students prepared debates on environmental topics; students then proudly showcased their work, sharing their creativity and insights to other students during a special assembly which began with the beautiful music of Debussy, setting a reflective and inspiring atmosphere for the celebration. All their works were gathered by the Art Department in a wonderful display that highlighted the students' creativity and dedication.

We were delighted to see such an enthusiastic response from the students. Their involvement not only demonstrated their interest in the French language and environmental issues but also their willingness to engage wholeheartedly in meaningful projects. Through these activities, they developed essential skills such as public speaking and speech delivery, which undoubtedly boosted their confidence and perseverance.

The celebration of International Francophonie Day perfectly reflects Chigwell’s vision: to inspire intellectual curiosity, encourage creativity, and promote respect for diversity. By focusing on environmental protection, we provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to engage with global issues, gain a deeper understanding of different cultures, and embrace their role as responsible global citizens.

We are extremely proud of our students who have shown great courage, resilience, and commitment. Their active participation in this event highlights their determination to make a difference and their appreciation of Francophonie values.

Congratulations to all for making this celebration a great success!

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