Students and teachers from our French exchange school in Strasbourg arrived in Christchurch in February.

This is the fifth time a group from Jean Sturm has taken part in the exchange with senior CGHS students who are studying French. 

Each day during their time in Christchurch, French students arrived at school with their billets and then spent the day enjoying a variety of activities around the city.

They began their stay by visiting Christ's College and the Canterbury Museum, as well as  punting on the Avon.  On a visit to Ferrymead Heritage park, they had the opportunity to go back in time and had fun dressing up.  On the same day they took a ride on the Gondola and experienced the time tunnel. 

CGHS students of French were treated to presentations on a variety of themes; French regions and specialities, facts about Alsace, French music, daily life of a teenager in Strasbourg were amongst the topics. The French students had prepared engaging material and impressed their audience with their competence in speaking English.

During the remainder of the week, the group visited the Antarctic Centre, the Botanical Gardens, the Art Gallery and Willowbank, including the Ko Tane experience where they learned a little about Maori culture and visited the interactive village. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the amazing stage performance during which the boys were invited to learn a basic haka and the girls mastered a simple poi presentation.  The evening ended with a hangi dinner.

A group from Jean Sturm arrived in Christchurch for the first time in 2011, the day before the devastating earthquake.  This year's group visited the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial, Quake City and the White Chair Memorial - a sombre experience for this group of young people which gave them some insight into this tragic event in Christchurch's history.

The group also spent 6 days on a trip around the north of the South Island, visiting Punakaiki, Motueka, Abel Tasman, Nelson, Pelorus Bridge, Kaikoura and finally Waikuku beach.

They had fabulous weather and made the most of the their trip, tramping, kayaking and swimming with the dolphins.

Our CGHS families welcomed our guests very warmly and during their stay the girls organised many group activities,which enhanced the visitors' experience in New Zealand. Their last weekend in Christchurch included a group camp, a barbecue and attending the Crusaders' game.

The Jean Sturm students fell in love with our country, our city and our relaxed way of life. The CGHS girls who hosted them established friendships which they will treasure for many years to come.

After such a wonderful experience, it was hard to say goodbye and there were very tearful farewells at the airport.

In 2020 another group of CGHS French students will visit Strasbourg - the first stage of the next exchange, and we look forward to welcoming Jean Sturm again in 2021.