Mathematics in French and Sunshine!

The day was cloudy first thing but gradually improved with the afternoon  warm and sunny.
We were noisily greeted by everyone running up and excitedly telling us what their family was like, what they ate and Katie saying, "This is the best thing I've ever done, Mrs Westerman!".  We made sure we spoke to each of them and they were all bubbling.
We began our day with a welcoming breakfast in the canteen.

                                                                             Choosing........

Yep, that's me sorted!

 

Queuing for breakfast was a novelty, but toast and cereal may be a bit boring when we return!

 

After breakfast the kids went off to classes with an assigned French student. Paul and I walked down to the local Table Tennis Centre and watched  a PE teacher take a class. There is no playground at the school - just big concrete areas around the perimeter of the buildings and there is no hall or gym so PE is taken at sportsgrounds and facilities which are all closeby luckily. Classes begin at 7.30am, there is a 15min break at 9.30am and then lunch is from 11.30 until 1pm. This long lunchtime is to accommodate 1000 students getting through the canteen in shifts for their hot lunch. They don't eat snacks during their break and just all hang around talking for the break and also the long lunch. Our kids couldn't believe there was nothing to do! 

Angus had no trouble amusing himself! He is the king of selfies!

 

I think our lunchtime sports equipment will be far better appreciated from now on!

They all found classes interesting and all  could understand bits and pieces of what was said. Tui wasn't impressed with Maths in French! In English is bad enough!

 

Lunch was in the canteen and it is such a different experience for us. Serviants, or playground supervisors make sure students are lined up where they wait until one shift is finished in the canteen, then they can move up to a row of basins to wash hands, then eventually go inside. They had fish today with vegetables, baguette and then strawberries and cream!  Sure beats peanut butter sammies!

 

 

The afternoon's activity was a ride around the city in Le Petit Train. It follows a very scenic route then goes through the Latin Quarter showing us examples of early colonial architecture and all the while providing a very interesting commentary on New Caledonia's history and development.  Just like many other places in the Pacific, Noumea probably wouldn't look the same if this hadn't been an early penal colony for France. They physically built many structures remaining today.  Convicts were banished here for 7 years and then after their release, had to stay another 7years before they could return home. Of course many stayed here and along with early settlers, became the ancestors of many New Caledonians today.

Remnants from WW2

 

 

                                           This is the site where the Guillotine was situated many years ago. It had already beheaded one of the Louis and his wife, then was kindly given to New Caledonia in order to carry on dealing out the ultimate punishment! 

 

We were back at school by 3.30pm for everyone to be collected by their billets. They all happily said goodbye with a variety of exciting activities planned for the weekend.  I laughed watching Allistair run up  to Connor's host Mum as they were getting into their car, "You'll look after my brother well, won't you?"  As I said yesterday, the parents are so nice and Veronique has had lots of feedback from them saying what wonderful kids we have!  Tomorrow is the Noumea Carnival and the parade goes through the city centre at 5pm and there is to be a big fireworks display out on the harbour at 9.30pm. I'm sure the kids will all have a great weekend.

 

Here's hoping for continued sunshine........