Fairfax Academy Languages Week: From ‘Guten Tag’ to ‘Bonjour’, and from ‘Hola’ to ‘Ciao’, students at Fairfax Academy said ‘hello’ to five days full of fun European conversations as they enjoyed a week dedicated to modern languages.
Last week saw Fairfax celebrate its Week of European Languages, an annual event which encourages staff and students alike to embrace other languages.
While many UK schools only mark the European Day of Languages on September 26th, at Fairfax Academy the day forms just a part of a week-long celebration, allowing students to immerse themselves in other cultures.
The week’s jam-packed calendar of activities included daily sessions dedicated to a different language each day.
Monday was French, Tuesday was Italian, Wednesday was Spanish, Thursday was German, and Friday was European Community Languages, with the session being led by student Amalia Jakubocova, who is a native of Slovakia.
Head of French Alison Jamieson, who organised the week’s events alongside Head of German Jonathan Young, said: “Representing a community language within the school is really important to us – we have a diverse community here, and we want to celebrate it. The students did a fabulous job leading the session.”
Fairfax Academy Languages Week
But opportunities to engage with the cultures extended beyond these sessions. Students were greeted by teachers in different languages each day, who also took the register in the language of the day – and there was much more fun to be had.
Mr Young said: “One of the most popular events was the cultural cuisine. We got the canteen staff on board, so every day they prepared food from a different European country. The students loved tasting food from all kinds of cultures!”
Students earned points during Fairfax Academy Languages Week
There were also plenty of events students could take part in, each of which would contribute points towards their language colours badge, to be worn on their blazer with pride.
Form competitions and lunchtime activities, such as “guess the language”, bingo in European languages, and a week-long tutor quiz won by 11XK took place throughout the week. The week was supported by year 11 language ambassadors, and Year Seven even had their own competition.
Miss Jamieson explained: “The Year Sevens could choose any European country, research it and produce an information poster about it, with prizes for the best ones. They absolutely loved it – every year we get more than a hundred entries!”
But perhaps the most popular competition of the week was the badge competition, which gives new staff members the chance to introduce themselves to students in a fun and engaging way.
Mr Young explained: “We pick ten members of staff across all faculties – usually new staff – to wear a badge with a European flag on it throughout the week. The students have a sheet where they have to find all ten staff and recognise what flag they’ve got. The first ten to get their sheet back win a prize – and a point towards their colours badge!
“The students love it, and it helps new staff integrate and get to know the unique atmosphere at Fairfax.”
The last exhilarating event on the calendar was a visit to The Holt School in Birmingham for 7 lucky Year Eight and Year Nine students, to take part in the school’s Languages Day at their invitation.
The Week of European Languages has become a regular fixture at the school not only because of its popularity with the students, but for the vital lessons it teaches students about the importance of diversity.
Deputy Head of the Academy Rachel Boyce said: “It gives the students a greater understanding of European cultures and languages, and it gives them a real buzz. It generates enthusiasm for the subject and makes them more excited to engage with languages.
“It doesn’t always occur to students that many of their peers don’t speak English at home, and this week opened their eyes to the beautiful cultural diversity we have here at Fairfax.
“An appreciation for multiculturalism and an interest in other cultures are valuable traits which will stay with them throughout their lives.”
Principal Sean Castle added: “The European Languages Week was a great success, and another example of how Fairfax goes above and beyond to involve the entire school in events that inspire the students to learn in a fun way, while often learning about each other too.”