35 students from Upper 3 (Year 7) to Upper 5 (Year 11) have taken the fantastic opportunity to be paired with a Senegalese penpal as part of their French studies, not only developing their French language outside the classroom but also widening their cultural knowledge of another French-speaking country. This fabulous programme is organised by Mme Smith alongside Katie, an old Maynardian, currently in Senegal on her gap year who is also putting her French to good use, working as an English teacher in College de Yene.
The girls have been exchanging letters with their counterpart, writing to them in French and receiving back letters in English. Friday lunchtimes are now buzzing in the French classroom with girls dropping in the “Write to my penpal” club when they need a little help with ideas, French expressions and vocab. It’s always such an exciting time when new letters come in – long may their friendships last!
