Learners took part in activities to promote language learning, discuss the exciting opportunities learning a language can bring as well as celebrating the richness and diversity of the languages spoken within our school community here at Eirias.

Our Year 7 learners designed amazing bunting with designs encapsulating the European Day of Languages ethos, our Year 8 learners looked into funny idioms in different languages and in Year 9, our learners researched career opportunities for linguists.

Euro-themed quizzes were part of registration time, with the whole school getting involved in this special day. The event also raised over £75 for Macmillan Cancer Support as the proceeds of the staff raffle to win the “Brexit Basket” (a hamper filled with European goodies) were donated to this charity.

Our Year 12 classes took part in the ‘Great European Bake Off’, researching and baking European delicacies which were judged by our very own Paul Hollywood(s), Deputy Heads Mr McKenzie and Mr Barons! They valiantly worked their way through samples of all the delicious bakes before deciding on the winning entries – a tough job but someone had to do it!

The atmosphere at our Bake Off was fantastic, with all 22 of our Year 12 French and German students taking part and enjoying the tasting. In a climate in which the popularity of International Languages is waning beyond Year 9, it is especially heartening to see so many students studying a language at KS5 level and participating so enthusiastically in this special event.

In order to promote the diversity of languages & cultures within our school community, some of Sixth Form students who are fluent in other languages prepared and delivered 'micro lessons’ - 10-minute taster sessions, during registration sessions. Year 7 pupils had a taster of German, Ukrainian, Afrikaans and Greek. They were also given an insight into some of the cultural aspects of those countries. The response from our Year 7 learners and form tutors was incredibly positive and certainly sparked an interest in the pupils.

Herzliche Glückwünsche und felicitations to all involved in making this event so successful.