Sport
St Catherines College Rugby/French Exchange with Lycée Robespierre
Our project is in its third year as an individual exchange, which is the culmination of links between Lycée Robespierre in Arras and St Catherine’s College (SCC) dating from 2003. The aim of the project is “to create peaceful links between young people from different cultural and geographical backgrounds, from the northern and southern hemispheres, to promote peace and brotherhood among future citizens”.
All three Robespierre girls, to date, have been rugby players and therefore represented SCC while in New Zealand. SCC has to date sent 4 rugby players to Arras. These students have much to offer girls’ rugby in France and show great leadership and communication skills while there.
In 2006 we (along with St Patrick’s College) hosted a group of 50 rugby players from Robespierre. Then in 2007 we travelled with our rugby team and 8 senior French students to Arras. Since 2009 we have continued to foster the friendships between our students through our individual exchange and in 2012 we will again travel with a group to Arras.
We strongly believe that there can be no better way to gain a genuine insight into another person’s lifestyle, culture and physical environment than to be immersed in it for a period of time. Students are stretched to deal with experiences outside their comfort zone and consequently grow in confidence and independence. It is wonderful to see out girls return to SCC ready to share their insights with their peers.
All three Robespierre girls, to date, have been rugby players and therefore represented SCC while in New Zealand. SCC has to date sent 4 rugby players to Arras. These students have much to offer girls’ rugby in France and show great leadership and communication skills while there.
In 2006 we (along with St Patrick’s College) hosted a group of 50 rugby players from Robespierre. Then in 2007 we travelled with our rugby team and 8 senior French students to Arras. Since 2009 we have continued to foster the friendships between our students through our individual exchange and in 2012 we will again travel with a group to Arras.
We strongly believe that there can be no better way to gain a genuine insight into another person’s lifestyle, culture and physical environment than to be immersed in it for a period of time. Students are stretched to deal with experiences outside their comfort zone and consequently grow in confidence and independence. It is wonderful to see out girls return to SCC ready to share their insights with their peers.
