French chasse au trésor at Mdina
Mdina is well known for being the Silent City. However, it definitely was not the case on Tuesday 10th April when early in the morning, the footsteps of running students could be heard all over the place.
Following the success of last year’s Treasure Hunt in Valletta, the French Education Officer Doreen Farrugia decided to give the students another fun opportunity and take this activity to another beautiful landmark on our island – Mdina.
The event was held to celebrate le Jour de la Francophonie or better, the day commemorating the French language spoken all around the world. This day is celebrated annually on the 20th of March.
Early in the morning, students from 21 schools from all sectors state, church and independent schools - gathered in groups outside the city walls to get hold of their clues and start their race against time. Students were given a list of questions in French, requesting information about monuments and buildings within the fortifications.
With the help of their teachers, a total of 230 Year 8 students trailed the city, in a bid to answer all the questions correctly in the shortest time possible. Students had the opportunity to put the French they had learnt in class into practice and the enthusiasm was evident. Needless to say, the activity was a great success!
At the end of the activity, all the students were invited to St Nicolas College Rabat Middle School for the prize giving ceremony. The French Department within the Education Division together with the French Embassy showered the students with gifts. Beatrice le Fraper du Hellen, French Ambassador for France donated books and chocolate tokens which were distributed among all participating schools. All participants were awarded a certificate signed by Elisabeth du Breil de Pontbriand Conseillère de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle
This activity allowed the participants to gain soft skills, such as team work, that can contribute to their personal and even professional development. Equally important, it provided a space for interaction, exchange and the opportunity to develop friendships and cultural awareness while encouraging students’ confidence and self-esteem.
The cherry on the cake was a surprise visit by Mrs Michelle Muscat who shared her experience of the French language with the students. She told them how she herself had keenly studied French from a very young age, continued further with her studies and how it had paid off when at 27 years, she and her husband, Dr Joseph Muscat – who at that time was a newly elected MEP, had moved to Brussels.
She spoke about her personal experience in French-speaking countries and how she could finally make use of what she had learnt in class. It was then that she realised how much she had gained in having chosen to study French when she was still at school.
All the students were very happy at the end of the event however, the students from St Margaret College, Cospicua Middle School topped them all, since they were the overall winners of this year’s Francofête.