On Friday 25 September, Sutton High welcomed pupils from five other GDST schools for a celebration of French, German, Spanish, Mandarin and Classics. Held just before the European Day of Languages, the festival brought Languages unite to life.
Armed with icebreaker questions, our language ambassadors encouraged pupils to meet and converse across schools. Head, Mrs Beth Dawson, set the tone with a welcome incorporating French, German, Spanish and Chinese.
Year 8: Spelling, Pictionary and Crafts
Spelling bees challenged Year 8 teams to spell as many words as possible in one minute.
Mixed-school Pictionary teams then turned vocabulary into pictures. Creative talents emerged through Eiffel Towers constructed from card and tissue paper, decorated cardboard Lebkuchenherzen and colourful Mexican Day of the Dead masks.
Year 9: Culture and Escape Rooms
Cultural quizzes tested Year 9’s knowledge of the French-, German-, Spanish- and Chinese-speaking worlds before escape rooms put teamwork to the test. Introduced by “Doctor Sundt”, the French challenge involved reconstructing a letter and deciphering clues on a map of Avignon. Every Spanish team successfully escaped, whilst the German teams escaped and managed to find time for extra Language games on the lawn. Once escaped from their rooms the pupils taking part in Mandarin made beautifully decorated fans to take home.
Year 10: Poetry, Games and Classics
Expressive poetry performances showcased Year 10’s French, German and Spanish, with many reciting from memory and some German pupils even singing. Designing cultural card and board games followed, including French cuisine Top Trumps.
Meanwhile, Classics competitors faced Mastermind’s specialist and general knowledge rounds on subjects ranging from The Odyssey to mythical creatures. A Delphic Oracle Treasure Hunt brought pupils together in new teams at the end of the sessions.
One participant captured the day’s spirit: “It is fun, it helps with your conversation skills and makes you enjoy languages even more!”
It was very special to be able to celebrate languages and make new friends along the way.
