End of year trip to Paris

[Kenlee]

Do you think its a good idea?

Age of pupils?

Length of trip? Itinerary?

Could be fab, even if mildly frivolous (rather than serious learning) especially if you are near Eurostar (less faff than airport or dreaded ferry/coach combos).

What are your concerns?

Why wouldn't it be? It's nice for the kids to gave a bit of fun at the end of the year as well especially if they've been working hard. DS2 went when he was at his prep he had a great time and it's started his love affair with Paris./France. Now thinking of talking French for A level.

Any trip to Paris is a good idea, IMHO.

End of year 7....but we have made an agreement with the french teacher that she can only go if her marks remain high..

Really don't know how to enforce that but thats the plan. We already know it gonna be a bit of a laugh for her..

Our concern is that after the trip to Paris she immediately has to board a plane back to HK.

Packing will be hectic...

How can a stranger on a board like this really answer this question for you if it come down to a concern of much packing your daughter has and what other flight she has to get on....honestly not sure why I click on some of these posts...

I think you'll find many international students at boarding schools happily do similar things all the time. Her house matron will help her organise her packing if that really is an issue for her. She obviously flies home at the end of term already I struggle too see what the problem is with flying home from Paris instead of the UK. The only issue is if she can't get a flight to HK on the same day but surely she has a guardian in the UK who she can stay with, get her to the airport etc?
It's a bit mean IMO to insist on high marks it's not just about improving your French but seeing Paris and all the wonderful things it has to offer and having fun in a different environment with her friends.

I think maybe we are reaults oriented... that is why we set these rules..

I was just wondering if any other international parents have done the same thing and do they have any strategy for their child to cope...

nibs then I suggest you ignore the post if it irritates you si much.

It's a good idea, and should not be based on results.

She will, like most visitors, fall in love with Paris and want to return. And then next year her results will be amazing because of how much she wants to return.

This year's carrot can be next year's stick

My DS's friend did it he went to on a school trip to Europe at the end of one term flew back to the UK, I think changed airports and then caught a flight back to HK the same day didn't seem to cause him any problems.
What exactly are you concerned about?

I sceptical how much difference it would make to her French unless she's doing an exchange, we love France and go every year, my DS does speak some French when we"re there but I doubt it makes a significant difference especially as most of his time is spent with his English speaking family. But France is a wonderful country full of fantastic buildings shops scenery art history etc if she's never been you should be encouraging her to go rather than insisting in high exam marks as a requirement to go.

Congratulations - best drip-feeding of 2014 so far!

School trips are about more than academic results, they are important for building relationships among the children and developing their independence.

Dd is going to Paris this year. I am hoping it might reawaken her interest in French as despite going to France every year until she was 12 she is a language refusenik. It's costing a lot but we have scrapped a planned holiday sports club for her instead.

hmm we don't mind paying for the trip but we feel she needs to understand. Her payment for the trip is to keep up her good results.

I really dont expect her to learn much French on the trip. Although, We did ring HM and she reassured us that she will get her packed pre holiday so when she comes back its just a matter of throwing in what she needs in one case and going.

So all is good in the world of boarding....

Kenlee ......I know this trip is being seen by you as a carrot to keep results good but, there is more to school trips than this! What is important is whether your daughter would love to do this trip with her friends. It appears to be a fun trip and more about bonding than the French they will learn. At my DDs boarding school the Chinese girls hardly went on any trips. They often actually went home a bit early and very few hung around long enough to do an end of term trip. By not doing them it does separate out the overseas girls from everyone else. This is not entirely desirable and I would really try and send her if she wants to go. It is a great opportunity to cement friendships and enjoy something away from school.

You can rest assured the Housemistress and staff will make sure she is packed. At my DDs school, trunks/suitcases appeared several days before the end of term so packing was not last minute. The only difference is that your DD has to get to the airport after the trip so must be organised! Let her go!

TBH I think her best friend is going... Thats why she is asking...

Im not sure what they will do there ..but I hope they will appreciate the culture and the beauty of France....

What I like about school is they go on really good trips....

Im not sure what they will do there

Maybe learn about full stops?