Children in Forms 5 and 6 enjoyed a wonderful afternoon ‘en français’ as part of their French learning. The Flying Theatre Company visited St John’s to put on an extraordinary hour-long show for the pupils, conducted in French at a suitable level for Key Stage 3 learners. The Flying Theatre Company has been touring and performing Modern Foreign Languages productions throughout the UK for 20 years. Curriculum French based subjects are cleverly woven into the storyline, which follows the day preparing for the village fete - 'Vive la France'.
Using a unique Tour de France narrative, the theatre company used vocabulary including health, fitness, body parts, travel, sport, family, directions, food, hobbies and interests to entertain the audience for the full hour. It was a great experience for the children, as it helped them to appreciate how good their understanding of the language is already. The performance combined comedy, music and dance, and audience participation – with some willing volunteers from the children and staff all joining the performers on stage – to ensure the children were focused throughout.
Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Mrs Leisle Chippington, explained, “The Flying Theatre Company did an exceptional job of entertaining us for our Faculty Afternoon. The hour flew by without anyone realising just how much French they had learned and revised!". One Form 5 child said, "My favourite part was when he juggled with different types of bread. First he said the name of the bread and got someone to throw it to him. He caught it with precision, while balancing on a board on top of a roller. I also really enjoyed the part when he did the weather forecast - it was very funny."
