A group of 25 students from the northern French town of Masnieres are currently enjoying their week-long stay in Guernsey, compared to the 11 who joined the first exchange, three years ago.
Together with their teachers, the pupils, aged between eight and 14, are staying with local host families, while stepping into their history books and exploring the island they have learned about with their host schools of Blanchelande College and Les Beaucamps High School.
‘The children think it’s amazing,’ said their teacher Christelle Guedin of Jacques Prevert Secondary School.
‘The visits, the views, the food – they love everything. It’s very important because its the linking of our two communities. It’s important for the history as well.
‘It’s a chance for our pupils to have a great experience of Guernsey, and see where the soldiers who lost their lives in our Town came from.
‘Of course they love to see the Victor Hugo attractions as well, and are excited to go to the Governor’s house today, and Herm on Friday.
‘Some of the children are only eight. It’s their first time apart from their families, but they’re doing really well, very happy. All the students from last years’ exchange wanted to come back again. We didn’t have enough host families, otherwise they would all be here now.’
The exchange between local and French students has been established for the past five years, built on the twinning between Masnieres and St Peter Port. Chris Oliver, one of the founders of the RGLI Trust, said student numbers were growing each year, and that more local schools are looking to get on board with the programme. The towns’ relationship dates back to Masnieres being defended by the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry during the Battle of Cambrai in the First World War.
‘We’re encouraged by the fact that there’s a growing interest to come back every year,’ he said.
‘It’s starting to embed itself as part of our cultural community, becoming a regular event. When we started this twinning work, there were people who didn’t know the story of the RGLI. People are often surprised about how many lives its touched, including their own family members. When people begin to know, they want to help and we’re constantly getting extra volunteers.
‘There’s so much we’re now working on. We’re doing as much as we can to build back this cultural piece of our history, and bring life back into an old, dead regiment. In a time when there’s a lot of negativity news stories in the world, this is just purely positive and it’s a pleasure to work on.’
Aside from school, the students’ busy schedule has involved touring Castle Cornet and Hauteville House, having fish and chips on the beach at Cobo – a popular highlight – and meeting Lt-Governor Sir Richard Cripwell at Government House. In June, it will be the local students’ turn to take their return trip to Masnieres.
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