Photos Post No. 1 - My Class and School

So, here come the photos. The first lot is random shots of my class and the school we went to, Le Lycee Joffre. The school is the biggest in France - in terms of students and space. The Lycee itself had over 3000 students in the three year levels (equivalent to our Years 10,11,12). There was also a College adjacent (Years 5 - 9) and 2 years of preparation for Uni.

The walkway, facing as if you were leaving the school. It would be crowed every morning and afternoon. On the square blocks were written the Basic Human Rights - I think and so the walkway was named something to do with that?? Emma knows I think.

The main courtyard in front of the main buildings of the lycee, sometimes completely empty and sometimes so packed you could barely move! Our meeting place was generally by the tree, otherwise it was impossible to find people unless you were very tall!

People from my class in the 'student space' adjacent to the Cafeteria, before school, crazily cramming for a Geography test. Nothing changes - even on the other side of the world!

A photo taken of the class and myself, on my last day, kindly taken by the Maths teacher. Yes, the class is big! I think about 35 people. Apparently in the earlier years, the classes are smaller, but then they get bigger - seems to be the opposite in Australia?

Kasey and Cyz under 'the tree', which became the most popular meeting space, and was also a pleasant spot for sitting in the shade on warm days.

My class in English, unfortunately this photo caused the class to get very distracted and the teacher went a bit crazy - oops. Well it was kind of funny! The Classroms are all really plain and boring - nothing on the walls, all grey and icky!

Some kids waiting in the hallway, which is what you do before each class, when the first bell goes. They can get rather crowded! Very different to Eltham in that no one is ever late!

This is the terrace - I often met Mireille here between classes as it is between Buildings A and B.

Our first Monday of school, on the benches outside the Cafeteria, with Moniques host sister Marie and her friend.

Mireille and her friend Coline, playing 'Jeu au Go' on the terrace. Mireille and her sister's loved this game, but i was hopeless at it. I think its quite big in France but I had never heard of it.

Benedict and Mireille. Mireille has this squirrel on her shoulder, and before Christmas, she put a little tiny Santa hat on it's head! Everyone knew her by the squirrel on her school bag, which was quite humerous!

Benedicte, Coline and Mireille eating lunch. It became a bit of a habit to buy lunch at a shop in the Halles Jacques Coeur on a Thursday as the break was shortish and too late for the canteen!