Welcome to all of you!

 

In this Newsletter, you will find summaries of all the recent activities undertaken by APELEVIA at College Mignet and Lycée Georges Duby since January and also dates for your diaries for upcoming events.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Games Evening March 27^th 2010:  The committee were very disappointed that this fundraising evening had to be abandoned due to lack of interest but we hope to organise further events in the future.

 

Bilingual Education in Marseille-Provence:  On Wednesday 3rd March, the Mediterranean Anglo-Business Network (MAAB), held a conference in Marseille, on the subject of Bilingual Education in Elementary Schools.  This meeting was attended by Claude Symonds,  Valerie Le Den, Chris West .

The speakers included:

 

Jean Paul de Gaudemar     -    Recteur –  Académie Aix-Marseille.

Gail Ellis                              -    British Council Paris – Head of English Language            

                                                 Teaching

Robert Maury                      -    Provence Promotion - Managing Director

Neil Calder                          -    ITER  -  Communications

Adelia Hackenheimer          -    Lycee George Duby – Head of International Section

Julia Fady                            -    Collège  A.Mignet – International Section

Alan Tricker                         -    IBS Provence – Head of International Studies

Laurence Mouquet              -    Collège J.Monod – Deputy-Head

Sophie Bellot                       -    EPIM  -  Head

 

The debate covered a number of important questions :

 

Are the public and private International Education facilities that exist equitably and efficiently distributed throughout the territory and do they satisfy requirements of the Anglo American families and businesses?

 

Where are these facilities and what do they offer?

 

Are non-French speaking children catered for?

 

What are the reactions of foreign Companies who are seeking to invest here?

 

Where does International Education lead?

 

A lively and rich debate was held and the Rector answered some very pertinent questions, we thank him for giving us the opportunity to meet him and to talk openly about the subjects that we have been following over the years, namely the lack of places in our schools.  He advised us that, plans to build a new College and Lycée in Marseille were underway, in the hopes that Education Nationale will be in a position to satisfy the demands of Companies in the region who are suffering from the lack of facilities within easy distance of Marseille and Aix -en- Provence.

 

Mrs. Hackenheimer gave an interesting presentation on the benefits of International Education based upon her long experience and explained the difficulties of trying to satisfy the demands of everyone in the region. 

 

Mrs. Fady underlined this speech with her experience and also of her frustration in not being able to meet demands in every year in the College Mignet, she gave an example of families searching for places and being forced to split the children into several schools, through lack of space in Mignet.

Following an intervention on this matter from Claude Symonds, President of APELEVIA, the Recteur confirmed there were no immediate plans to open another class in Mignet.

 

Mrs Mouquet’s problem was quite the opposite, as the recently opened International Section in the Collège Monod needs pupils.           - Valerie Le Den

 

COLLEGE NEWS :

 

Entrance Exam May 20^th 2010: This year there were 48 candidates due to take the exam for 6eme but in effect only 39 did.  Once again the level was very high but as always, only 25 places were available. The collège kindly laid on coffee and cakes for the parents whilst they waited for their children.

 

For your information, the next entrance exam will be held on the 30^th August 2010 (date to be confirmed on the Collège website).  At the moment there are the following places available:

-        6eme: 5

-        5eme: 3

-        4eme: 5

-        3eme: 2                                                                                           - J Fady

 

Collège Life:  Numerous events were held by the Collège during the last term for the benefit of the children:

- The Conseil General financed a theatre trip for four classes of 6eme children with the TCHOUM troupe to deal with the problems of violence and abuse.

- For the 5eme, a talk was given by The League against Cancer on the prevention of drug abuse and smoking.
- for the 4eme, “Le médecin malgré lui”, by Molière enabled the staff to talk about the relations between men and women.
L’APJ came to talk about the judiciary system.
- For the 3eme, a week was organised to discuss AIDs and sexual education.  The problems of organ donors was also tackled along with talks on the experiences of several transplant patients.

An awareness campaign against dangerous games is expected from the Social Services.
The CESC is to consider  “How to eat better with respect for the Environment” with the help of the Université Populaire Rurale.                     - Claude Symonds

 

End of year party for 3eme International Sudents:  It was with their feet in the water, the cicadas and the view of St Victoire that our 3eme students celebrated the end of Collège with a ‘pizza-party’ courtesy of APELEVIA and hosted by the Anderson Family.  We wish to thank the Andersons for their warm welcome and hospitality.  For the children it was a great time to relax before their Brevet and we wish them continued success at the Lycèe.                   - Frederique Chabran

LYCEE NEWS :

 

A Day for Future Graduates:  On the 4^th and 5^th March 2010, we had the ‘Day for Future Graduates’ during which the Premiere students had the chance to visit several universities to help them with their future choices.

 

Mme Régnault explains:

 

“Last year, the Lycée Duby organised for 31 adults to escort 243 students to 17 different sites.  This year, 31 adults enabled 334 students to visit 11 sites on the Thursday and 12 sites on the Friday.

Therefore 91 extra students.

11 head teachers were deployed in spite of the mock Bac exam and the trips (2 teachers returned from trips to England and went directly to their sites).”

 

Frédérique Chabran and myself, with Mme Blanc, a French teacher at the Lycée, accompanied 42 Premiere students to the IEP in Aix, in order to attend a very interesting conference on the course, given by Mr Duval, Director, Mr Nourian, Head of Studies and Mr Ferrazzola, Head of Education.

 

The IEP offer a 5 year course (with one year abroad)

 

-           the 1^st year is characterised by an interdisciplinary approach (economics, history, political science, sociology, languages, sport etc …).
-           the 2^nd year is the learning of the method and lateral thinking (approaching a subject in different ways).  The students choose a subject for dissertation to be finished in the 4^th year.
-           the 3^rd year constitutes of 9 months abroad (Embassies, Consulates, large corporations) or two terms in a foreign University.
-           the 4^th year is the year of specialising and finishing the dissertation.
-           the 5^th year allows the student to orientate their professional lives or research at the University, in this way preparing for their exams of category A (ENA, ENM, ENSP etc..).

The entrance exam is the same for the IEP in Aix, Lille, Lyon, Rennes, Strasbourg and Toulouse.

1100 places are available between the six IEPs.

The  entrance exam for next year took place on the 2^nd July 2010.

(Sciences Po. is a PUBLIC establishment and doesn’t advise any other preparation organisation apart from Tremplin-IEP).

 

The Exam

 

The general average obtained at Baccalaureate has a coefficient of 1.

It consists of 3 written exams over 7.30 hours.

1)         A dissertation regarding a topical question: 3hrs (coefficient 3).
2)         A dissertation regarding the history course in Terminale: 3hrs (coefficient 

           3).
3)         A test on a modern language: 1h30 (No QCM) (coefficient 2).

N.B.  There is also a French-German option for 20 students (half German/half French) with a very good level of German.

 

For any further information please visit: www.sciencespo-ix.fr

                                                                                                            - Claude Symonds

 

Entrance Exam 10^th March 2010:  This year there were approximately 470 students who sat the entrance exam for Seconde in the International Section, of which the school can only take 90.  More students had the level required than places available, so the dossier had to intervene in the final selection.  Even then, it was with a heavy heart that we had to turn down a lot of excellent students. 

                                                                                                    A. Hackenheimer

 

Information regarding the construction of housing next to the Lycée:  Following the news of the housing project next to the Lycée (230 flats, but talk of 300) the three parents associations of the Lycée have, with the Headmaster, talked to the Governors Board of the Lycée as well as the regional council and have written to the townhall of Aix to request a meeting to talk about the traffic problems, accessibility, parking and security in the surrounding area and transportation.  The President of the PACA region has sent a letter to the Maire of Aix and we have also written to Mr Guérini, President of the Conseil General. We then attended a meeting on April 1^st when he announced the construction of a collège next to the Lycée (600 students, opening in September 2014).  We asked for a plan concerning the whole layout, taking into account conditions for the users (1500 students from the Lycée, 600 collège students, 3-400 personnel and 1000 new residents).

 

A steering group committee has been set up in association with the Conseil General, the Aix townhall and six people from the local area and the parents associations (Lycée, collège and school).  The three parents associations from the Lycée are represented by Claire Hasan and Annie Respaud.  The first meeting was held on May 12^th.  We have reiterated our request (already expressed in 2003) for a coherent syllabus between the collège and the lycée and for the need for an International Section in the collège.  Mr Bénéfice (academic inspector) has replied that TWO collèges would feed the international section of Duby: Luynes and Mignet.  We have also remembered the welcoming conditions of the international section (boarding or long distance journeys, by bus or car) and the importance of maintaining these.

 

Parents, CIQ and the Headmaster of Duby, have repeatedly drawn attention to future traffic problems, accessibility, parking, planning, transport and security,  the importance of  protecting the students from the sale of illegal substances, and the safety of the surrounding areas.  A meeting with the Mairie of Aix (and the local community) will be held in June to talk about the construction of the housing and the consequences. 

The next steering group committee will be held in September/October.                                

                                                                                    - Claire Hasan-de-Severac

 

Europeans:  The musical “Europeans!” opened to a full house on May 11th at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume and closed to a full house on May 20th at the Lycée Georges Duby. Enthusiastic congratulations have been pouring in. Two years of hard work for a few hours in the spotlight, was it worth it? I believe the cast and crew of “Europeans!” join me in saying, most definitely, YES! 

A heartfelt thanks to all of you who supported our project.          - Patricia Haillot

 

Meeting of the International Section, 21^st May 2010:  During a meeting at the Lycée, Madame Hackenheimer and teachers from the section met with the parents of the future Premiere and Terminale classes to give a presentation on the International section:

 

Out of 325 students, 52% are French, 27% are Bi-national and 21% are other nationalities.  After Terminale, roughly 50% of the students study in different countries.  A huge amount of work is done by the teachers of the section but also by AGESSIA whose help has become indispensable since the number of candidates is so large.  They help the students choose their universities, write motivational letters, fill out forms, translate school reports, help with the UCAS forms,  and help to maintain their oral levels etc…  Certain universities consult the reports starting from 3eme up to the second term of Terminale.  The end of inscriptions in the British universities is the 15^th of January; 15^th of October for Oxford and Cambridge which means that the Premiere students must think about their post-bac orientation and can’t wait until September to deal with it.

 

Changes in the OIB:  The OIB has existed in France for thirty years and is becoming more and more recognised in other countries.  Madame Hackenheimer reminded us of the importance of the English subjects in the OIB:  they represent 40% of the total Literature bac  (L) and Economic Science bac  (ES)  and 30% for the Scientific bac (S) and therefore need a lot of work.  For English, the students have six books to study, 3 in Premiere and 3 in Terminale.

 

This year the “synoptic topic” was added which will be on the Victorian era.  Seven poems and two books will be studied in class, the students shall then be questioned on this theme orally.  Another novelty: a comparative essay of unknown documents.  Madame Hackenheimer therefore wants to encourage the students to do personal research on the Victorian era.  She reminded us that from the beginning of Premiere, the A and B groups are completely remixed and there is no longer any difference made between the students.

 

In History/Geography there are two written tests (two hours of History and two hours of Geography).  The oral test is changing.  The candidates shall be questioned on History AND Geography.  Therefore they must revise both subjects without preference.  Mr Gibbs wishes to alert everyone that certain aspects of the syllabus for Seconde and Premiere could be used in the Bac.  He therefore advises the students to keep their notes from Seconde and to work regularly.

 

Finally, Madame Hackenheimer and her colleagues thanked the parents for their contribution to AGESSIA which must not be uniquely linked to the exams.  As well as the activities mentioned earlier, AGESSIA buys educational material which benefits ALL the students of the International section.  It is important that ALL the members of our educative community contribute to the section in the spirit of solidarity and generosity.                                                         - Claude Symonds

 

Cricket at the Lycee:  On a balmy May evening, the first cricket match, of hopefully a yearly event, took place between the students and the teachers. During the year, Mr Lewis, Mr Reevy and Mr Coates have been teaching the students the fundamentals of this traditional English summer sport. A regular match can last many hours and often several days but the students were taught a version called ‘inter cricket’ whereby the batters play in pairs and each pair face 12 balls or 2 over’s. When the batter is OUT (by either a fielder catching the ball or the wickets are hit), his team loses 5 runs but the batter continues batting until he and his partner’s 12 balls have been bowled. Each team starts with 200 runs from which runs are added or deducted.

The students were sponsored for runs scored and wickets taken. The proceeds will be sent to a charity involved with the Haiti earthquake disaster. At the time of writing, it is not yet known how much money has been raised but we will let you know in the next Newsletter.

Both teams played very well in this very fast paced game and the score was so close that the scores had to be double checked but it in the end it was the students who beat the teachers by just a couple of runs.  The teachers scored 244 runs and the students scored 251.  The students were captained by Clint Walraven and the teachers by David Coates.

Thank you to all the students and teachers who took part in the match and to their vocal supporters. Thank you, also, to Geoff West who umpired the match and to the scorers Valerie Le Den and Ivana Babjakova.

Finally, thank you to Dave Lewis who initiated this project and hopefully it will continue as a yearly event.                                                           - Christine West

 

Bac Ball 2010:  On Friday 28^th May, around 400 students celebrated the Bac Ball in the magnificent Jardin D’Albertas.  The weather was fine and the students looked splendid in their suits and evening dresses.

 

A group of students started off the evening with music and were followed by a professional orchestra for the dancing.  The sit down meal was excellent and a glass of champagne accompanied the delicious chocolate dessert.

 

The two professional photographers worked the entire evening without a break, despite the cold which soon fell.  There were numerous parent who helped out whilst remaining discreet!  The Principal, Mr Bard was invited to dance as were the other teacher and administrative staff who were present.  It wasn’t until late in the evening when everybody was leaving that the syudents realised that one part of their young lives had finished to leave space for one no less exciting.. the start of the next stage of their academic lives.

 

As in previous years, APELEVIA made a generous donation to the evening, to help this memorable event.                                                   - Christine Roncalez

History of Arts Reform for the year 2010/2011:  Since the Lycée was opened, students have been very fortunate to be able to chose History of Arts as an option in 2^nd, which in many cases continued through to Terminale and consequently became part of their Baccalaureate.  This option, has been taught by 6 different teachers, headed by Mr. Esnault, all of which are motivated and passionate about their subjects.  The option included literature, architecture, photography, cinema, art and sculpture.

We discovered that there would be changes to this option, in  the new 2nde reform, planned for next year. The Lycée will be offering  an option “Patrimoine”, which will be a lot less complete, offering only about 5 outings a year to visit sites as an introductory subject. APELEVIA alerted the FCPE and PEEP and asked them to join us in making our fears known to the Rectorate.

In spite of receiving many protest letters at the Rectorate, to date, we are alone in receiving a reply to our demand not to touch this option which will be completely devalued by this reform.   We will continue to make our voice heard at the Rectorate and hope to bring this affair to a satisfactory conclusion.                                  

                                                                                                      - Valerie Le Den

 

Return of Books:  After a meeting with Mme Lapostolle, Archivist of the Lycée, the administrative staff and the two other associations, we asked for volunteers to help with the return of school books from the 8^th - 22^nd June.

 

We are happy to note that many of you responded to our request and we would like to thank you all very much.                                                - Claude Symonds

 

 

AGESSIA NEWS :

 

AixMUN 2010:  Fourteen students represented the Lycée at the first Aix Model United Nations conference celebrated on March 5, 6 and 7, 2010. It was organized by the student organization AixONU of Aix Science PO and took place at l’Institut d’Etudes Politiques and the Mairie d’Aix-en-Provence. The walls were decorated with the flags of many nations, and the students dressed in business attire as delegates of the country they represented. The sole committee at this well organized conference was the committee on disarmament and international security. The intensive debates centered on the complex and difficult theme of the situation in Afghanistan. A wide variety of countries were represented by our lycée students and numerous university students. One of our students and debate club member, Joshua Morrison, won the Prix d’Honneur. The process was fluid and adhered strictly to formal rules of procedure although there were moments of fun and laughs. The presidency assured decorum the entire weekend which ended with a formal resolution. It was an excellent experience. Our students and the countries they represented were as follows:

 

Germany: Joris Brandt and Oliver Sieweke

Australia: Alice Symonds and Allison Bell

China: Natacha Morice and Lara Oliveau

Denmark: Ufuk Inci and Sofiane Bouazzaoui

Russia: Joshua Morrison

Iran: Mohammed El Boudi

Japan: Caroline Mercier and Fabien Le Den (previous lycee graduate)

Serbia: Laura Verbeke and Anciane Vitour                            - Valerie Le Den

 

Exchanges – Vintage 2009-2010!

 

Short-Term Exchanges:   After a busy Autumn term organizing this year’s short-term linguistic and cultural exchanges with three prestigious schools from Canada, Australia and the United States, the combined efforts of AGESSIA staff and board members (volunteers) resulted in three short-term exchanges, including a brand new one, benefiting twenty one Seconde students from the English Section.

 

In March and April, students from Geelong Grammar School, Melbourne, and Appleby College, Oakville, Ontario, spent three weeks at our school, dividing their time between classes with their French partners, special « French as a foreign language (FLE) » classes given by teachers and workshops animated by an AGESSIA board member and sightseeing in the region thanks to our dynamic host families, to Ms. Babjakova, Comenius Assistant with the English Section and to AGESSIA board members. In June, a student from Palmer Trinity School, Miami, came and after a week at school, visited the region thanks to her host and other families from the Miami trip.

 

Over the Easter break, our Seconde students flew off to experience their exchange partners’ foreign and eye-opening cultures.  They attended school, sometimes adapting to much stricter dress codes, discovered new subjects such as Photography, Textiles or Woodwork, and got a taste of laptop education (e-school)!  They joined their partners in their extracurricular activities and shared family or boarding school daily routines, some enjoying, among other things, the fun of an American high school prom, an Australian football or American baseball game,  visiting the Niagara Falls or eating Kangaroo meat!

 

The feedback from these exchanges has been very positive and we hope to renew them on a larger scale next year.                             

 

Seconde Long-Term Exchanges:  For the first time, an academic and cultural immersion exchange was set up with Geelong Grammar School and Palmer Trinity School.  In the first term, four Australian and two American students spent about 10 weeks with their exchange families and attending school full-time including extra FLE classes and workshops.  AGESSIA organised two weekend trips, to Lyon and Paris, and several weekday cultural outings during their stay.

 

At the end of May, four students flew to Melbourne and are currently experiencing the same type of full cultural and academic immersion.  The experience is extraordinary so far as witnessed by the students: Juliette says: “Geelong Grammar School has an amazing campus, where the philosophy of education is dynamic and open not only to academics, but also to sports, art, and music.”;  Alexande says: “I have been quite surprised by the fact that people are very easy-going , and it is easy to make a lot of friends.”; and Morgane says: “On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, sport is on… I personally play netball, (a kind of basket ball), and on Tuesdays and Fridays, we have activities. Here again, many are proposed, for instance knitting/sports/debating/ceramics/charities…”

The exchange to Miami will take place from mid-August to the Toussaint vacation of our students’ Premiere year and we will be sure to keep you up to date!

 

Our thanks goes to the Lycée Georges Duby administration and teaching body for their continued support of these enriching exchange programs and to our exchange partner schools for their trust and collaboration. Praise also goes to our students who understood their role as ambassadors of their high school! A photo album is within the English Section of the school website.       - Helen Chayegan

 

AGESSIA: now has its own web site.  It is still under construction at the moment, but you are invited to visit both the English and French versions as not all the pages are in both languages yet.

 

You can meet our active members, find out more about the Association, why it was created, what we do and and all sorts of useful information and reports.  You will find us at:  www.agessia.org                                                                                               

                                                                                                       - Daniele Blake

 

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES

 

We look forward to welcoming you all to the Garden Party at the end of September/beginning of October (date to be confirmed).

 

We would like to wish you all a very happy summer and look forward to seeing you in September.

Aixpedition Atlantis; The Search for Life

Day Camp in English for Kids

5th Annual Kids’ Camp

Join us on an adventure full of music, drama, crafts, fun, and games as we explore principles of living the Christian faith. We invite you to journey along with us!

All backgrounds and nationalities are Welcome!

July 6-10, 2010       Ages: CP-CM2
For more information and registration go to www.iccpaix.org/kidscamp

4 Bedroom House in Luynes, 140m2, 2800m2 garden, swimming pool, close to both village and Lycee International. For more details, please call or email Sylvie Buffet: 06 76 65 66 50  sgebuffet@hotmail.com

We are looking for a family to host our son in a English-speaking country during July. Benoit will be almost 14 years old, he is in 4e at IBS, so has a good level of English. He has already visited England 3 times as a guest of an English family. He would prefer to stay with a boy around his age. We would suggest an exchange, or if not, a paying boarder.
Please  contact me at 04 42 39 91 06 (+33 4 42 39 91 06 if outside France) or  fchaurand@free.fr
Mrs Florence CHAURAND

Welcome to all of you!
We would like to start by wishing you all the very best for 2010.
In this Newsletter, you will find summaries of all the recent activities undertaken
by APELEVIA at College Mignet and Lycée Georges Duby since October and
also dates for your diaries for upcoming events.

COLLEGE NEWS
Thanksgiving Lunch: On Thursday 26th November 5eme and 6eme from
College Mignet were invited to a traditional Thanksgiving Lunch held at ‘Les
Agapes’ restaurant. Once again, the event was a great success. The 45 children
(unfortunately 4 children were absent) were accompanied by 5 parents and 2
American speakers who explained not only the history of Thanksgiving but also
how it is celebrated by families today. The restaurant was brilliant in catering for
such a big number and the food was delicious. Between courses the children
were kept busy with quizzes and a wordsearch. The restaurant praised the
conduct of the children who, despite the obvious excitement, behaved very well.
As a result they will be happy to welcome us back next year. A big thank you to
everyone who helped to make this year’s Thanksgiving Lunch such an enjoyable
occasion for all. - Michele James

Beaujolais Nouveau: On December 2nd, we celebrated the Beaujolais Nouveau
with about 15 families from both the College and the Lycée in a room underneath
the Mairie in Luynes. We were treated to a buffet of cheese and charcuterie,
perfect to accompany the wines that we tried. Those parents present were able
to exchange varied information about the International sections with
representatives from both APELEVIA and AGESSIA in a most convivial
atmosphere. We were able to meet new families who asked lots of questions
and enabled us to have many enriching conversations. It was a most enjoyable
evening and we would like to thank the parents who came along. - Katrine
Minssieux

Cricket Club: CRICKET LOVELY CRICKET ! I’ve been running Wednesday
afternoon cricket sessions at College Mignet since October last year and have
been impressed by how quickly the participants have taken to the game and
picked up the skills of the game – batting, bowling and fielding techniques – and,
of course, the rules of cricket which, in the form adopted for the Mignet sessions,
are much simpler than the infamous, for many people, almost incomprehensible
rules of the longer form of the game! (“Cricket? Less interesting than watching
paint dry; baseball on valium” – you’ve heard similar remarks no doubt). Mrs
Fady kindly introduced me to the students who were keen to learn about the
game and Jamie Hibbert, in particular, has been most helpful in rallying support.
In the future, perhaps we can build up enough support for cricket at Mignet, and
at Lycée Georges Duby, so that we can actually play some matches, possibly
with teams which feature a mixture of both Mignet and Georges Duby players …
Note: so called ‘Kwik cricket’ matches can be adapted so that they are never
longer than one and a half hours. Hard to believe I know and ‘Kwik cricket’ can
also be played on most surfaces. Lush English hallowed green turf is not
obligatory!
Cricket at Mignet will finish for this year at the end of February and then Mr
Lewis is hoping to give lycéens, who will be revising for their June exams,
a regular weekly break by offering cricket practice on Monday or Tuesday
afternoons during March and April. - David Lewis

On-going works at the College: The last meeting with regards to the on-going
works at the College was held in mid-January.
Presided over by Mme Ecochard, the Vice-President in charge of Education at
CG13, this meeting, for once, included all the parties concerned with these
works, Mr Monchaux, assistant Inspector of the Academy, and Mr Bramoulle, 3rd
Assistant, representing the Mayor of Aix en Provence.
In total there were 15 representatives of teachers, parents associations, officials,
College administrative staff plus a good fifteen from the Mairie, La Semepa,
CG13 and the Architects in charge of the project.
Mr Cadis, Principal, opened the meeting by putting the emphasis on the large
works undertaken by the College in the last four years:
The percentage of passes at the Brevet has risen to over 90%, the students from
ZUP have been accommodated, a first language Arab class has been created
and has proven to be a huge success (there are only 10 classes of this type in
France).
From an educational point of view, the College is changing, things are working
but Mr Cadis underlined that direction, administrative services, teachers,
students, parents etc. have faced some very difficult moments because of these
works.
Mrs Ecochard pointed out the very delicate nature of this work due to the fact it is
occuring in an occupied zone which is also historical.
But the goal is to advance:
The important thing today is to re-build the gymnasium and then move the
sciences into the Conservatoire annexe, where it will be moved into its new site
in 2013.
The sports teachers reminded us that they have for many years been very
patient, putting up with noise, dust and other problems (staircases out of use,
cave-ins). Out of 75 hours of sports, 25 hours are spent in transport. This
situation is becoming unacceptable. The science teachers equally reminded us
of the tedious conditions that they have been subjected to over the last three
years, stuck in the prefabricated classrooms, having to teach with reduced
materials (a lot of their materials are kept in storage).
In the end the teachers exclaimed: “Patience yes, submission no”.
The Assistant Inspector of the Academy thanked the teachers for their patience
and commitment. The problem now is to agree a timetable to ensure that the
delays are as short as possible.
There then followed a controversial argument between Mr Dominique Laurent,
Bursar, who was had enough of all the delays, and SEMEPA. (The societe
d’economie mixte of the town, at the origin of these works, to expand the parking
Mignet by 300 places).
The parents of the students remarked that for the local authorities this only
represented a few years but for their children it was their whole academic life at
the College.
Finally, the participants agreed upon the following actions:
- Handing in the planning application for the gymnasium in the next few
days.
- Study of the planning application by the Town Hall within two months.
- Granting of the planning permission between the 1st and 15th April.
- Another meeting of the protagonists at the College to review the situation
(between the 15th and 30th April).
- July/August 2010: moving of the science buildings and start of work on the
gymnasium.
- April/May 2011: Opening of the Gymnasium
- July/August 2013: Repossesion of the Conservatoire annexe and
restoration works.
- April/May 2014: Opening of the science building.
Mr Monchaux thanked all the participants for coming to the meeting which proved
more than necessary. Mrs Ecochard suggested meeting again in April when the
building permit should have been accepted.
We, as parents, should therefore continue to be patient but remain vigilant. -
Claude Symonds

Entrance Exam Date: Thursday, 20th May 2010 The inscription form can be
downloaded from the Mignet school website at:
www.clg-mignet.ac-aix-marseille.fr

LYC É E NEWS:
Sale of Tulips: At the beginning of December, on the initiative of Mr Strozza,
SVT teacher, and one of the parents with a handicapped child, the Lycée was
inspired to support the TELETHON appeal. A heart of tulips was planted on the
Lycée hill with the 2000 tulips that we managed to sell. Officials, teachers,
student, parents, administrative staff and, of course, gardeners united to make
this project a success.
Each year, for the next four years, this immense heart will remind us of happy
memories and also affirm our support for those who suffer from genetic illnesses.
Well done and thank you for everybody who helped. - Claude Symonds

PAMUN: This year the Debate Club took a delegation of 15 students to the 2009
Paris Model United Nations conference, hosted by the American School of Paris
in the UNESCO building from Friday, 4th to Sunday, 6th December. An exciting
and intellectually stimulating time was had by all. The organisation, as ever, was
excellent and we now feel that we are well established there as year on year
participants. It is an event of the highest quality – well run, well chaired and the
students feel cared for and efficiently serviced by the enthusiastic team of
organisers.
Our delegation represented the following countries: Bahrain, Serbia, Uganda and
Honduras. The committees in which our delegates forged, and then debated the
resolutions, included Disarmament, Environment, Human Rights and Political
committees. (Joshua Morrison represented Uganda on the Security Council for
example).
The other delegates representing Lycée Georges Duby were Océane Bel, Joep
Barmentlo, Alexandre Gras, Jean Lafon, Marie-Valence Mantel, Sebastian
Nicholls, Clara Nizard, Andrea Ortiz, Sara Ouerfelli, Emily Pernet, Sofia Riba,
Olivier Roncalez Antoine Simon and Alice Symonds.
Issues which featured in committee proceedings included ‘Review and
Strengthening of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan’ (Security Council);
‘Criminal accountability of UN officials and experts on mission’ (Political
Committee); ‘Renegotiation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty’ (Disarmament);
‘Measures to establish Internet security’ (Human Rights) and ‘Recommendations
regarding the use of bio-fuels’ (Environment). Internet security and the NPT were
just two of the topics that were discussed and prepared for in both Monday and
Thursday debate clubs at the lycée in advance of the actual conference.
The conference culminated in the General Assembly on the Sunday morning
when all the 900 delegates came together to debate one final resolution in the
impressive main hall.
It wasn’t all work though, as all students enjoyed an evening of disco dancing at a
club in central Paris on the Friday. Mrs Blake and Mr Lewis, les
accompagnateurs, were grateful for seats and snacks, courtesy of the American
School, positioned at the edge of the throng of happy dancers!
Many thanks to all the parents who gave their full support to the adventure
and we look forward to more heated, but very civilised, debate next year …!
- David Lewis

Canteen Commission: On Friday 11 December, a meeting was held at the
Lycée to discuss the school meals. Mr Ciretti, the new Bursar who arrived at the
Lycée in September 2009 observed that the Canteen at Luynes needed a certain
amount of reform.
Objectives: to modernise the expectations of the students at the Canteen by :
1. Ensuring the menus are nutritionally balanced
2. Improving the whole atmosphere of the canteen/meal period :
a. Time management for meals
b. Providing a convivial atmosphere to enable a relaxing break in the
day
c. Restructuring the premises
Mr. Ciretti requested an increase in funds from the Conseil d’Administration for
the breakfast and the evening meals. He was granted an extra 18 000 €.
There are 150 students in the boarding house for breakfast and the evening meal
and 1200 meals served at lunchtime. Over the year 200 000 meals are budgeted
for but only 149 000 actually served as on some days there may be only 950 at
lunch. Wednesdays for example there are at least a third fewer students.
In conclusion the Bursar noted that improvements were necessary in :
The variety of meals
The quantities
The cooking time
More variety of fruit and cheese
More variety in the breakfast fruit juices.
Another meeting was held on the 14th of January. It was proposed that the
portions sizes be increased and also the selection of cheeses. The students
declared themselves happy with the evening meal especially the re-introduction
of soup. 60 litres had been consumed in 150 meals!! The students also
expressed their satisfaction in the efforts of the kitchen for the increased varieties
of desserts and fruit.
M.Ciretti informed the committee about the proposed plans for the restructuring
of the canteen including:
Introducing a 3rd option in the style of a brasserie for September 2010.
Moving the washing-up area (to start in summer 2010).
Change of seating plans to include round tables. - Nina Hutchings

Exchanges: Just before the Christmas holidays, we said a sad farewell to the
four Australian and two American students who had been with us on the new
long-term exchange programme over the first term. Thanks to welcoming host
families, motivated and patient teachers and dynamic volunteer parents, they
were thrilled with their stay and returned home transformed from this unique
experience! Our students are now preparing for their own life-changing adventure
that will take place over the Summer for Australia and at the start of Premiere for
the U.S..
The short-term exchanges are not far away: 3 groups of students will be off to
Toronto, Miami and Melbourne over the Easter holidays and hosting their foreign
exchange partners in either March and June.
AGESSIA is actively searching for new exchange opportunities with anglophone
countries and welcomes any personal contacts you may have, particularly in
England. - Helen Chayegan

European Youth Parliament (Parlement Européen des Jeunes) 11th - 13th
December: Early December, the Lycée George Duby hosted the 27th National
Session of the EYP. The main organizers, Anciane Vitoux and Oliver Sieweke,
with their team of helpers, worked very hard throughout the long weekend, to
make this event, the huge success that it was. The school welcomed and
hosted 10 schools from all over France including one from Guadalope, in our
boarding facilities, they were all accompanied by their coaches and teachers, 20
adults in total.
A full report of this event with photographs can be found on the school website,
the next event will be held in the Lycée Militaire, Aix en Provence, on the
weekend of the 26th February. The International Section Debate Club are
sending 7 students to this session to participate, we wish them good luck, if they
win they will represent the Lycée in Stockholm or Istanbul, good luck to all. -
Valerie Leden

GCE and CAMBRIDGE ESOL DIPLOMA CEREMONY, 17 TH DECEMBER 2009 :
This year’s diploma presentation ceremony was held in the Salle de Conference
on Thursday, 17th December when our students received GCE, IGCSE and
Cambridge FCE (First Certificate) CAE (Advanced) and CPE (Proficiency)
certificates before an audience of parents and teaching staff. Monsieur Rémy
Cortell of the DAREIC at the Rectorat kindly attended the presentation and
assisted Mr Bard and teachers in handing out the certificates. Mrs Blake and Mrs
Le Den of AGESSIA were also present to congratulate the successful June 2009
examination session candidates. Entertainment was provided by members of the
musical comedy production, ‘The Europeans’, Madame Haillot’s adaptation of
Henry James’ novel. They sang beautifully and the talented pianist, Axel
Lavergne closed the event.
GCE / IGCSE, one subject: passed by 31 students;
GCE / IGCSE, two subjects: 22 students;
GCE / IGCSE, three subjects: 10 students;
GCE / IGCSE, four subjects: 12 students;
GCE / IGCSE, five subjects: 2 students
10 students received the Cambridge First Certificate in English; 26 received the
Certificate in Advanced English and 17 received the Certificate of Proficiency in
English. A number of students who were not able to attend the ceremony
collected their certificates from the English Section office. - Valerie Leden

Building Works in the area surrounding the Lyc ée : On Monday, 25th January,
two representatives from APELEVIA attended a meeting of the CIQ (comité
d’intérèt de Quartier) from Luynes concerning the housing projects on the
outskirts of the Lycée.
In the next newsletter, we will give you further details on these works. We will
keep you informed of our prerogatives, as parents’ associations: security, access,
parking … Frédérique Chabran

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES
Wednesday, 10 th March 2010 – Entrance Test for the English Section in the
Lycée Georges Duby. The inscription forms can be downloaded from the school
website now at: www.lyc-luynes.ac-aix-marseille.fr

Saturday, 20 th March 2010 – Games Evening at the Lycée. Come and join us
for this fun-filled evening! More details to follow shortly.

Saturday, 11 th May 2010 – “EUROPEANS!” (based on the novel The
Europeans by Henry James) is a full-length show with 17 original songs,
composed in a variety of styles and sounds. This will be performed at the
“Théâtre du Jeu de Paume” in Aix-en-Provence. Other performances are planned
but dates have not been set as yet. (See future newsletters for information.)

Thursday, 20 th May 2010 - Entrance Exam Date for College Mignet. The
inscription form can be downloaded from the Mignet school website now at:
www.clg-mignet.ac-aix-marseille.fr

We wish you all a great February holiday!
The APELEVIA Committee.