France Tour 2016

6th December 2016

Vannes

Following the welcome function at Vannes City Hall yesterday, the group made the local paper.

Mrs Pawsey had the pleasure of meeting Ursuline Sister Ann Andtée Jacob who plays a very active part in the life and administration of Lycée Notre Dame.  Mrs Pawsey was joined by their host Véronique Gobin.

Below is a picture of the adjoining junior school.  Tara and Amelia enjoying a weekend activity with their host sisters.  

Today the girls had a fully day of classes before our most exciting day trip to Mont St Michel tomorrow.

France Tour 2016 - Vannes

Monday 5th December 2016

Vannes

Monday at Lycée Notre Dame le Ménimur saw the girls excitedly tell us of all the activities that they did with their families - Christmas lights, visiting the coast, shopping, theme parks and for many just enjoying a family weekend French style. Of course food played a big part in the weekend - crepes, cheese, chocolate, cakes and so much more. We are all trying to work out how the French stay so slim.

After lunch visitors and some host sisters who were not doing exams walked into Vanne to be welcomed to the City Hall by representatives of the Mayor.

We all felt very special as there was two representatives of the press waiting to interview us and take photos. I believe we will be in the local paper.

Stephanie gave a speech in French on our behalf and gifts were exchanged. Our Australian flag Christmas ornaments were a hit and now are displayed on the Council Chambers Christmas tree.

The Council Chamber we were hosted in was most impressive - chandeliers, statues and paintings. Outside was an impressive stair case with a special one of a kind stained glass window of the Duke and Dutchess of Bretagne - I was informed the only one depicting the two standing side by side.

Following afternoon tea, we all headed back to school and for some afternoon lessons.

USA Tour 2016 - New Rochelle

5th December 2016

The Ursuline School - New Rochelle

Natalia

I woke to a drizzly, cold winter morning with the smell of a freshly cooked breakfast wafting through the house. It was lovely to feel the hospitality of my new home for the week.

We have finally made it to New Rochelle, New York. With many of the girls only 10-15 minutes away from the school, we all ran for the heat of the school. We travelled around the school for the day learning the lay of the land with many of the girls attending English, Italian, Physics, American History classes, but my personal favourite was lunch in the cafeteria. The menu, ‘Chef’s Special’ (aka nuggets, grilled cheese sandwiches, vegetable soup) and a salad bar was warmly welcomed, as they do not have morning tea here, so it can be a long time between meals. All I could hear was girls talking and laughing, just like home, and it was hard to spot us through the cute blue Ursuline jumpers with koala prints (their Ursie bear is a koala!). The most wonderful thing was seeing the halls and walls adorned with the statues and familiar quotes from Angela, making the me feel very much at home.

Tonight, many of the girls will travel into the city to experience a Broadway show, ice skating, a basketball game or the many exciting cultural attractions. Tomorrow we all travel into Manhattan for a day in ‘The Big Apple’, with a chance of snow on Friday!

Ursie also met the TUS Koala!

USA Tour - Dallas to New Rochelle

Sunday 4th December 2016

Travel Day - Dallas to New Rochelle

The USA tour girls, staff and the host families met at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport early this morning for their flight to Newark.

There were some goodbye tears as we departed Dallas, but many happy memories and strong bonds have been made.

We arrived at Newark airport and were warmly greeted by The Ursuline School and transported to the campus to meet with host families.

The weather is much cooler in NYC and possible snow flurry currently predicted for Friday, so there is excitement in the air!  The girls will commence classes at TUS tomorrow morning.

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Friday 2nd December 2016

Final Day at Ursuline Academy

The USA Tour girls gathered this morning for their last day of classes at Ursuline Academy.

The first class on Friday was an Arabic lesson.  UA girls were doing a presentation of their family members in Arabic.  We were then given Arabic Mint Tea and pastries as a welcome.  Following this the girls were given lessons on Belly Dancing.  Ursie joined in the celebrations also!

At the end of the lesson the girls were all presented with their name in Arabic (even Ursie! - see middle photo).  Chloe's name in Arabic was shaped like a heart!

The girls also shared a drama class with UA girls which they really enjoyed.

After lunch the girls attended a Screen Printing class with Mr Thompson.  The girls participated in the production of the t-shirts and each have one to take home.

The finale of the week was the St Ursula's College presentation to Ursuline Academy.  UA live streamed the event and we have recorded it to share.  The Presentation will be shared at a later date.

Maddison & Kaitlyn

Today was a very fun and educational, yet sad day as it was our last day at the Ursuline Academy of Dallas.  Beginning with a fun and interesting Arabic class, we drank mint tea and nibbled on baklava while we learned to belly dance.  Afterwards, we visited a stage costuming class and played theatre sports with the Dallas girls which was really fun!  For lunch we went to the cafeteria and had a Ursuline specialty - Mac and Mash!  It was delicious!  After lunch we went to a lesson on screen printing and made our own t-shirts.  The school day ended with what was a very successful presentation of Toowoomba to our host families and friends.  As this will probably be our last chance, we would like to extend a massive thank you to all the wonderful people at the Ursuline Academy of Dallas who have spoilt us so much this past week at school and on excursions!  This has been one of the best experiences of our lives, so thank you!

France Tour 2016 - Vannes

Friday 2nd December 2016

Lycée Notre Dame Le Ménimur - classes

The France Tour girls and staff attended a full day of classes today.  A very cold day as Christmas approaches.

The school is very proud of its newly refurbished Ursuline Chapel.  This is where they will celebrate their Christmas Mass.

Ursie enjoying some goodies from France and Australia.

Students and staff will now enjoy a wonderful weekend in Vannes and surrounds with their homestay families.

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Thursday 1st December 2016

AT & T Stadium and North Texas Food Bank

Sarah and Maddy H

"Today was very interesting, as we left the Ursuline Academy of Dallas this morning and headed for the AT&T Stadium followed by the North Texas Food Bank.  

The AT&T Stadium was definitely not like the stadiums bank in Australia.  It was extraordinarily enormous and quite a shocking experience.  Fun fact - the Statue of Liberty could fit into the centre of the stadium and would still not be able to reach the top of the closed, yet retractable, dome.  We had the great privilege of touring the stadium, visiting many exclusive seats, the Cowboys and Cheerleaders locker rooms and were also able to run onto the field like they do in the games!

AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, is the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venue in the world.  The stadium features two monumental steel arches, the world's largest HDTV video board cluster with dual 72 foot x 160 foot screens, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world.  The stadium can host up to 100,000 people, and includes over 300 luxury suites and seating on four different levels.  The stadium hosts a variety of events in addition to NFL games such as concerts, basketball games, boxing matches, professional bull riding, monster truck and motocross.

All of our jaws dropped at how huge the stadium looked from the centre of the field.  We all got photos, and at the end of the tour shouted "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi".  We were also very fortunate to sing two of our pieces in the stadium.  Just hearing our voices echo around the stadium sent chills down our spine and thrilled some of the staff nearby.  

Unfortunately, our wonderful time at AT&T Stadium came to an early end, but on our way to the North Texas Food Bank we had a wonderful boxed lunch provided by Ursuline Academy.

We the arrived at the Food Bank where we spent two hours sorting apples and later onions.  We filled four large boxes with produce that will be sent our to schools for students and parents.

The experience was very humbling and rewarding, knowing that we made such a difference to families in need."

France Tour 2016 - Vannes

Thursday 1st December 2016

Nantes

The France Tour girls had a very cold start waiting on the platform for a day trip to Nantes.

Nantes is a city on the Loire River in the Pays de la Loire region of western France with a long history as a port and centre of industry.  Nantes is home of the restored, medieval Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne where the Dukes of Brittany once lived.

The girls beside the statue of long time monarch Anne de Bretagne.

The memorial above comes from the city of Nantes coming to terms with its past and working forward to ensure equality for all.  Between the 18th & 19th centuries, numerous European ports including Nantes were involved with the slave trade.

Amelia amazed commuters at the Nantes train station with her piano skills.

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Wednesday 30th November 2016

Fort Worth

Varada

"It was a chilly morning today in Dallas.  After being introduced to our chaperones, we all got on the bus to go to Fort Worth.  (Fort Worth was founded in 1849 as a military outpost.  approx. 51kms from Dallas).  On the one hour drive to Fort Worth the bus was alive with the sound of the girls singing in rehearsal for the presentation to UA on Friday.  When we got to Fort Worth we were given a tour by Barron Pressley (Fort Worth Visitor Centre) around the stockyards.  We saw horses and a Mule (half horse, half donkey).  

We went to a local Texas BBQ restaurant called Riskys for lunch where the burgers were amazing! After lunch we had some spare time and we all went and explored the local shops in the area.  

Then our last stop was at the Cowgirl Museum.  We were delighted to learn the fascinating history about cowgirls.  

Later in the afternoon my host sister Laura and I went horse back riding and although I was terrified and a drama queen, it was one of the best experiences of my life."

Cowgirl Ursie!

The USA Tour girls (and Ursie) meeting real cowboys in action at the Fort Worth Stockyards. 

Our tour guide and meeting a Mule (half horse/half donkey).

Sarah and Maddy tried riding a very tame Longhorn!

Enjoying lunch at Riskys Texas BBQ

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.

France Tour 2016

Wednesday 30th November 2016

Vannes

The France Tour started the day with a historic tour of the walled town of Vannes (Ursie enjoyed the walk too!)  The ramparts provided a spectacular backdrop as we moved through the well preserved medieval streets.  At it's heart is the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre.

After a cold morning's walk, the girls enjoyed a lunch of delicious french crêpes.

Then back to school for afternoon classes.