AFB SCHOOLS REPORT

It has been another busy year in the schools.

It started in March with Ecole St Pierre at Le Champ St Pere. For the third year Stephanie, Frances and Lynn had lots of fun with the children in the four classes. The year ended in June with a Kermes in the Nanté where the children sang two songs in English.

A visit to Ecole Sainte-Marie at Aizenay in April was another enjoyable experience for the team. The children and staff in the eight classes all know us well and look forward to our yearly visit.

Our annual visit to Lycée Notre Dame du Roc at La Roche sur Yon took place in May. The students had all prepared games in English which our six AFB English speaking volunteers found both challenging and great fun. This was followed by scones with jam and cream as well as cakes.

Lynn and the AFB would like to thank all our volunteers for their support throughout the year. We look forward to whatever next year will bring.

Ecole St Pierre, Le Champ Saint Père

4 classes : 3/4 year olds, 5/6 year olds, 6/7 year olds and 8/9 year olds.

Three members of the AFB visited the school for the first time this year – 12th March, 16th April, 14th May, and 18th June.

Topics : English songs, games and stories. For the older children some grammar, speaking and listening and writing.
Three members of the AFB visited the school again this year:
• March 14th. April 22nd. May 23rd. June 13th
The team worked with four classes 3/4 years, 5/6 years, 7/8 years and 8/9 years.
Topics covered in the English language included:
• The Flags of England, Scotland and Wales.
• English Childrens’ songs.
• Games and stories.
• The older children also covered some English grammar, speaking, listening and writing skills.
Both the children and the adults thoroughly enjoyed the visit and the intention is to continue the visits in 2026.

 

St Joseph’s School Aizenay

8 classes : 2 classes of 3/4 yr. olds, 2 classes of 4/5 yr. olds, 4 classes 5/6 yr. olds.

Our liaison with this school is long standing. Every year, in Spring, three members of the AFB go into the school for two days. We tell stories in English, play games and sing songs. Each year the topic is different. This year, 28th and 29th March,
we had a story and games in the school hall linked to the theme of The Olympics.

The children and staff really appreciate our visits. We have lots of fun together.

St Marie and St Joseph School, Aizenay

Three members of the AFB visited the school on April 24th. This is the continuation of a long-standing relationship.
The team worked with eight classes 2 for 3/4 years, 2 for 4/5 years and 4 for 5/6 years.
Topic covered was the school topic for the term with the theme; story Hoorah for Fish by Lucy Cousins and also included games and songs.
As always great fun was had by all.

Lycée Notre Dame du Roc, La Roche sur Yon

Again, this college has a long-standing annual liaison with the AFB. The English-speaking department has historically teamed up with the catering department to organise English speaking events. Every year the theme is different. This year 8 members of the AFB attended the event on 22nd May.

24 students from the European section and Catering department had a trip to Ile de Re. On route back, the members of the AFB met the students in Jardin Dumaine in Lucon and they shared a picnic together. In this informal setting the students were able to practice their English and get to know the English speakers who they were hosting. This was followed by a very comprehensive tour of the Mourat vineyard in Mareuil-sur-Lay. A little wine tasting was a good way to end a very enjoyable day.

 

A résumé of the day by one of the participants. : See the document

On the 21st May 4 members of the AFB accompanied the students of the European Section and Catering Department on a visit to the Sardine Factory “L’Atelier du Sardines” and a brewery/brassierie at St Gilles Croix de Vie.
2 members travelled with the teachers and students on the coach from the Lycee and 2 members met the group in St Gilles Croix de Vie. Both guided visits were in French and the students were asked to translate into English for the AFB members. The beer tasting provided a welcome end to the day and on the way back to the Lycee the students and adults serenaded the AFB members in the bus!

A summary of the day by one of the participants is at this link https://www.afb-vendee.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Notre-Dame-Du-Roc-Experience-2025.pdf