French teens get taste of Southland
French exchange students got a real taste for Invercargill yesterday after meeting two of its famous residents – Mayor Tim Shadbolt and Henry the tuatara.
The 20 students will improve their English by attending lessons at James Hargest College, Southland Girls’ High School and Southland Boys’ High School until March 4, before going to Queenstown for a short holiday.
The tuatara kept the students entertained, as did Mr Shadbolt with humorous stories about his visits to France and also the French rugby team.
‘‘They seemed to think it was funny but they have basic English, so I didn’t try any Kiwi humour on them,’’ he said.
Mr Shadbolt said he was pleased to hear that the teens were enjoying their stay in Invercargill.
Nawel Himdi, 16, was enjoying her first few days at Southland Girls’ High.
She has found Invercargill and the school lessons more relaxed than Lille, where the pupils go to school in France.
‘‘They learn fun subjects here such as art and photography, while in France we only study mainstream subjects such as maths and science,’’ she said.
Sophie Bacquet, 16, is studying at James Hargest.
‘‘It’s different from home but that is why we came. We want to learn,’’ she said.
Raphael Hequet, 16, was impressed by the size of Southland Boys’ High but coming from a mixed school he found it strange studying at an all-boys’ school.
‘‘The teachers here are different, less strict than France, which makes learning fun,’’ he said.
This is the second time that the reciprocal exchange has taken place.
Nineteen Invercargill students will travel to France in April and will be hosted by a Lille school.