It’s been an action-packed year for the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) team at Highfields, with exciting trips, inspiring workshops, and cultural celebrations that have brought French and Spanish learning to life for our students.
A Trip to the Theatre – in French!
On Thursday 13th March, 15 of our enthusiastic Year 8 French students visited Tudor Grange Academy in Solihull (our partner in the MFL Language Hub) for a live performance by the Onatti Theatre Company. The play, Prendre sa revanche, was delivered entirely in French and gave students a chance to immerse themselves in the language in a fun and theatrical setting.
Francophonie on the Road
Just a few days later, on Wednesday 19th March, another group of Year 8 French students returned to Tudor Grange for the Francophonie on the Road event, run by the Institut Français. With a focus on the theme of water, students took part in a variety of activities, including team quizzes, puzzles, and creative challenges. One group impressed everyone with their winning hashtag: #poussezlavague (push the wave).
The event also included a session on Claude Monet and Impressionism, where students collaborated on group paintings and enjoyed a truly unforgettable VR experience. Sitting in a virtual boat, they were transported into Monet’s world—his gardens at Giverny and eventually into the Orangerie, surrounded by his famous Water Lilies. The pupils were a credit to Highfields and received praise for their excellent behaviour and enthusiasm.
Spanish Meets Business
On Wednesday 26th March, 10 of our Year 9 Spanish students took part in the Business Language Challenge at Tudor Grange, organised by the University of Warwick. Students competed in teams to design their own holiday experience in Spain, putting their Spanish language, marketing, and presentation skills to the test. It was a fantastic opportunity to combine creative thinking with practical language use, all in a competitive and fun environment.
Celebrating Success
Throughout the year, we’ve celebrated our most dedicated and hardworking MFL students with special reward lunches—an opportunity to relax and enjoy a well-earned treat of cake and pop as a thank you for their effort and commitment.
Onatti Theatre Visits Highfields
Most recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Onatti Theatre Company to Highfields to perform Primera Cita (My First Date) to our Year 7 Spanish students. This hilarious and engaging performance gave students the opportunity to see the language they’ve been learning all year come to life on stage, helping to improve their listening and comprehension in an interactive and enjoyable way.
It’s been an exciting year for MFL at Highfields, filled with learning beyond the classroom and a deepened appreciation for French and Spanish culture. We’re incredibly proud of all our students and look forward to even more linguistic adventures next year!