Extra photos!

Just a few extra photos for you!

Classe de Neige draws to a close but Mark and Bethan are celebrating!

The last two days of Classe de Neige have been full of activity and we're doing as many things as possible before we have to leave. Yesterday it was Bethan's birthday, so after having sung her happy birthday and given out presents, the children went on their luges again (experts by this time!) and we had loads of fun playing in the snow, making snowmen or animals and flying down the luge slopes. After lunch they were back out on the ski slopes and it was amazing to see the progress they'd made in their lessons. Their confidence is so much higher, and they came in at the end of the afternoon full of their latest achievements. It was wonderful to listen to them and see their faces. In the evening there was a concert organised by the monitors. All the schools at the hotel took part and every language section put on a short performance. Our class did a talent show. It was very funny and, as you would expect, very well performed by the children. They didn't get to bed until quite late and were up again early this morning to celebrate Mark's birthday. They've now gone out snow shoeing with Mrs Boulter's class and this afternoon will have their last ski lesson which will include a test to see how far they have progressed. Then certificates will be given out in a ceremony in the small theatre we have here. After that the children will have to pack their cases and the lorry will be loaded at 8 o' clock. So here are a few photos. I may not have time to put up another post as we leave early tomorrow morning, but when I get back to Brussels I'll put as many photos as possible onto a CD and give one to each of the children.

Valmeinier by Torchlight

Last night the whole fifth year went on a torchlight walk through Valmeinier. The idea was to see the village at night, look at the stars (if there were any) and generally enjoy a healthy walk in the evening snow. The photos say it all - we all had a great time, especially as there was hot chocolate on the hotel balcony ready for us when we got back (and mulled wine for the adults).

This morning we all woke up to a wonderful surprise - fresh snow had fallen during the night (and was still falling) and the whole place looked different. So it was a perfect coincidence that this morning was the visit to the goat farm. We walked down the ski track to begin with and then branched off into fresh snow, following a track through the woods. We must have walked about 3 kilometres. All the children were warmly dressed in their snow gear because it was still snowing hard. Mrs Deelen came with us to the farm and, like the children, was enchanted to see baby goats leaping around and letting the children touch and stroke them. The farmer gave us a very interesting talk about his goats, explaining the whole process of caring for them, milking them and finally making the milk into cheese. The cheese tasting was a very welcome part of the visit. We've been given order forms so the children can buy some of the cheese if they want to, and this will be delivered on Thursday so it can be loaded into the lorry with the rest of the luggage.

All the children have now gone skiing and as it's stopped snowing, should have an excellent time.

More news tomorrow - chocolate fountains and luge on the lower ski slopes should figure in the plans for the day.

Well Done the Green Group!!

I had an interesting afternoon following the green ski group around. These children are beginners and this was only their third lesson. It was amazing to see how competent they had already become. Even those who had initially found it difficult were coping with chairlifts, skiing down long, snowy roads, getting up after they had fallen over, helping each other with encouraging comments, turning, slowing down..... and all this in magnificent scenery. Here are a few pictures. Unfortunately my camera battery ran down halfway through the class, but you'll get the idea! It's a bit difficult to see who's who but among the children were Sebastian, David, Ysabelle, Annika and Anna. At least one of them could be the Winter Olympic champion for 2015!

Disco Fever!

Everybody dance now! We iz frendz!


Here are the latest pictures, taken at the disco last night. Everyone had a great time and what a difference a year makes. No worrying about who was going to dance with whom, just a lot of getting on and enjoying themselves. The children looked at the photos this morning and chose the captions themselves. I'm allowed to choose a few as well, so here they are.

Look how lovely we all look!

We've had a quiet morning doing a bit of work from the Classe de Neige books, but also playing Scrabble, cards, five stones and drawing pictures. How many of you have worked in a classroom with a view like this one?

We were joined by Mrs Deelen last night and she is coming with us on our farm visit tomorrow morning. Thank you so very much for the responses to our blog - I've read them out and the children were delighted. They all send their love. Please keep sending in the messages - the children love them. Three of the children haven't had letters yet and are really looking forward to hearing from home, so if you are reading this and know you haven't written, please, please get writing now!

And now for the latest news hot from the ski slopes!

David: Skiing is great but the last slope was too hard!
James: It was great fun especially the ramp!
Edgars: Skiing is really good. I wanted to do the red slope - it's so boring waiting for the ones who aren't as good as I am!
Sebastian: It was brilliant but it was really painful when I fell over. Someone else in the group helped me get up.
Sam: It was hot because I had three layers on. Can I go upstairs and take two layers off please?
Colleen: It's fun, exciting, interesting, exciting, exciting......
Brandon: Skiing's fun but a little bit difficult - scary but not scary, know what I mean? I felt just perfect.
Sara: Really fun, I didn't fall once....
Muriel: Fun, but when I think about it, it makes me feel tired!
Bethan: Great fun, really exciting, very tiring!
Ysabelle: I'm very tired but I'm feeling much better now.

They're all having a wonderful time; every day they achieve something new. I'm so very proud of all the children for all sorts of reasons- Mrs Lewis

Sculptures In The Ice

What a fantastic experience the children had this morning in Vallois. Every year there is an ice sculpture competition, and they saw this year's exhibits. The entries came from all over Europe and the winners will be announced tonight. The children's vote went to the fish - some how the artist had managed to get the fishbone clearly visible inside his sculpture.

We then went into the village of Vallois where the children saw the huge blocks of snow ready for the snow sculptures being prepared for Tuesday's snow sculpting competition. One of the artists was already hard at work on the special sculpture for the opening ceremony - this year it's 25 years since the snow sculpting started. The children interviewed the artist, who was very kind and answered all their questions.

It's another beautiful day as you can see from the photos, but the weather is set to change tomorrow so everyone's taking full advantage of the chance to be out in the gorgeous sun.

That's all for now - I'll try to add some comments from the children and more photos later.

Steep slopes and hard skiing (or easy!)

Nadia: I'm enjoying myself but it's hard and I'm sunburnt and I've never been sunburnt before!

Anna: I've never really liked anything more than running but now I'm beginning to enjoy skiing.

Christina: I'm really enjoying myself and I think I've improved.

Muriel: I fell off the ski lift and got a big bruise on my knee but it was really funny and exciting.

Georgia: On the ski lift I got stuck because I missed my stop and they had to stop the lift to let me off.

Olivia: I can't think of anything yet but Mrs Lewis says I've got rosy cheeks and I'm smiling a lot!

Giulia: I'm really enjoying myself and I love the snow.

These are just some of the comments from the children, who are much more confident today than they were yesterday! One of the advanced groups have been chattering excitedly about a promise their instructor made that they would go on a black run tomorrow! I'm holding my breath.....

Here are some photos of today's activities: a visit to the village to buy gifts; experimenting with snow to see how much air there is in it and children in their ski clothes just before their lesson.

They're all having a great time, and thanks to those of you who have written letters. Several children posted letters to you today so look out for them. Letters being given out is always a high point of the day!

Fabulous Skiing Weather!

After a long, long journey, the children woke up to the most beautiful day - colalt blue sky, no wind, crisp snow (just right for skiing). The first thing was to get all the helmets and ski equipment sorted out. Mrs Boulter and I went at eight o' clock - before breakfast. We then spent the rest of the morning having a walk round the village, finding the ski slopes, having a drink in a cafe and watching the skiers come down the piste, looking at the shops. After that we simply had to have a snowball fight - great fun - and then returned to the hotel because it was nearly lunchtime.

The food is very good and there is plenty of it. Today's lunch was onion soup, a croque monsieur with a salad bar, followed by an orange. I took a couple of pictures of the children having their lunch which I hope will also appear with this blog. When the children came in after their skiing lesson they had milk and biscuits. Dinner is in half an hour - at the moment they are working with the monitors.

The children had their first ski lesson this afternoon. They are all in different groups - each one has its own colour bib so the children can easily find their instructors at the beginning of the lesson. They all worked hard and were very happy at the end of the afternoon.

Tomorrow we're going to do some experiments with snow. In the meantime - they're all well and happy! Now this is up and running I'll try to blog at least once a day. Bye for now!