Échange St-Vincent: Le château de Versailles et les galeries Lafayette

Posted on October 14, 2011 by admin

12 octobre 2011

Waouh! Une semaine est déjà passée. Il n’en reste plus que cinq!

Vendredi soir, j’ai rencontré la grande sœur de Gwenaëlle qui est restée avec nous jusqu’à la fin de la semaine. La famille de Gwen m’a amenée au parc Astérix. C’était très amusant, on a fait beaucoup d’attractions. J’étais très impatiente que la semaine commence parce que le lycée avait organisé des voyages à Paris et à Versailles. Lundi matin, nous avons visité les Invalides. L’après-midi, on a pris quelques photos de l’extérieur du Grand Palais et du Petit Palais. Pour finir, on a fait du magasinage aux Galeries Lafayette. C’était très amusant parce que j’étais avec les correspondants australiens et argentins. Le professeur qui nous accompagnait était très gentil. Mardi, on a visité le château de Versailles et les jardins musicaux. J’ai vu la chambre du roi et de la reine.–Brooke Stein ’13

M & M en 8e année

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

Miellerie & Mine. Le 6 octobre dernier, les élèves de 8^e année ont fait une sortie pédagogique fort intéressante : ils ont visité une la miellerie Lune de Miel et la mine Capelton (M & M).

Accompagnés par sept enseignants, ils ont fait un premier arrêt à Stoke, et ont côtoyé les abeilles. Saviez-vous que ce centre d’interprétation de l’abeille produit jusqu’à quinze variétés de miel?

Ensuite, nos valeureux explorateurs sont remontés dans l’autobus en direction de Capelton, près de North Hatley, où ils ont mis leur casque de mineur pour littéralement entrer dans la montagne et y découvrir une ancienne mine de cuivre, accompagnés d’animateurs chevronnés. Un parcours rempli de découvertes!

Ce fut un voyage très apprécié de tous dont la conclusion revient à une élève : «Je ne sais pas si j’ai peur ou si c’est amusant, mais ça en vaut certainement la peine!»–P.J. Tremblay, enseignant

(Photos)

Schools on Board: The End of an Extraordinary Experience

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

October 10, 2011

It turns out I’m only getting home today, instead of Friday. A series of unusual circumstances such as satellite problems and weather issues resulted in Schools on Board participants spending an extra 2-3 nights in Kugluktuk. I slept in a bed at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife last night for the first time in five nights. Being stranded in an isolated community would not have been bearable if weren’t for all the people helping us in Kugluktuk. The principal of Kugluktuk high school was very accommodating in letting us sleep in the school for five nights. Other community members were also invaluable in driving us to and from the airport each day we tried getting out, as well as helping us find things to keep us busy. All the children greeting us in the streets cheered us up. And if it weren’t for the program coordinator, teachers and parents constantly rebooking hotels and flights, we would never have made it out. It’s been quite the adventure and I’m happy to be finally heading home today. —Karen Butt ’12

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Schools on Board: A Warm Welcome in Kugluktuk

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

October 5, 2011

In the morning, we crossed the street to go to the elementary school to give the students a presentation about our experience on board the Amundsen. We didn’t realize we’d be presenting to such a young audience, but we did a good job adapting our presentation on the spot. It was nice to hear the students ask so many insightful questions.

A science teacher at the high school then took us for a hike near the Coppermine River, just outside Kugluktuk. He explained the geological history of the area to us, which was much different than learning from a textbook because we were actually standing on the rocks he was telling us about. We came back and presented to the high school students.

We also went to the grade 7 Inuinnaqtun class. An elder in the community told us some Inuit legends and explained the way she lived as a child. I find it remarkable to see how well the Inuit have adapted to a living a Western lifestyle in such a short period of time.

In the evening, we had a community feast. The students performed traditional dance routines for us, and we also had some demonstrations of Arctic sports. We then had a meal with some of the students and other members of the community. I got to try some Arctic char! What a great way to end our stay in the Arctic! —Karen Butt ’12

Schools on Board: Leaving the Amundsen—by Helicopter!

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

October 4, 2011

This morning involved some final packing and clean up, followed by boarding the helicopter to go back to Kugluktuk. No one wanted to get off the ship, but getting another helicopter ride was still fun. Once everyone had been flown over, we started walking from the airport into the community of Kugluktuk. We joined the grade 12 science class and the students took us on a scavenger hunt designed to have us see most of town. Being in Kugluktuk was different because everyone knows each other, and all the people were greeting us and asking who we were.

When we got back to the school, we set up gym mats and sleeping bags on the floor of the school computer lab, our bedroom for the next two nights. Afterwards, we thought about our meals and went grocery shopping. There are only two stores in town: Northern and Co-op. Everything is really expensive and the selection is limited. For example, 12 cans of pop cost $20 and a bag of chips is $6. Fruits and vegetables had to be thoroughly inspected before being purchased. Nonetheless, the pasta we cooked for supper was delicious. —Karen Butt ’12