Bureau des Îles Anglo-Normandes

A Channel Islands delegation, comprising pupils from Jersey and Alderney, travelled to France on 4 June to attend a dedicated Olympic Day, on invitation by the department of Ille-et-Vilaine.

The Channel Islands team, along with teams from Romania and Rennes’ schools, participated in an opening ceremony parade, with torch and flag bearers running around the stadium. Students tried their hand at various Olympic sports throughout the day, ranging from the ancient disciplines of long jump and fencing to the addition of more recent Olympic sports such as break dancing. A real highlight of the day was the highly competitive Paralympic wheelchair racing, with the chance also to meet with a Paralympian table tennis player.  The day finished with a closing ceremony and an opportunity to visit the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine council chamber to meet with the President and learn about the region and the Department’s growing partnership with the Channel Islands.

A great show of continuous links between the Channel Islands and their close neighbours from Brittany.

Here is what children expressed about this visit:

“It was a fantastic experience meeting other French speaking students as well as pupils from Alderney and Romania too. Everyone was so friendly and it was great to be part of the team and really feel the Olympic spirit.”

“My favourite part was being the Flag bearer in the Olympic parade and playing football with the Romanian team on the beach in the evening.”

“I enjoyed being in France, tasting the French food and loved the wheelchair relay race!”

“I’ve never had a go at fencing before. We learnt so much, and I found out I was pretty good at it! Doing the presentation in French and the dance was challenging, but I’m proud to have represented the Channel Islands”

“I enjoyed trying out all the sports and even got to run around the indoor 200 metre track with some of the pupils from Alderney.”