What an incredible week it has been at Tormead as we celebrated Languages Week with zest and enthusiasm! We are thrilled to share with you the highlights of the week’s festivities, filled with exploration, learning, and cultural appreciation.

Monday kicked off our celebration with a whole school assembly focused on the remarkable benefits of learning languages. We delved into how multilingualism not only expands cognitive abilities but also nurtures overall brain health, aligning perfectly with our THRIVE initiative and this term’s focus on health. Additionally, our staff shared their stories of how they had learnt languages, showcasing the diverse tapestry of languages within our community.

The excitement continued at lunchtime with a spirited ‘Just Dance’ competition featuring foreign songs, infusing our school with rhythms from around the world. Simultaneously, our budding bakers showcased their culinary prowess in the International Bake Off, adding a delightful touch of sweetness to the day.

Tuesday brought laughter and friendly competition as students engaged in a lively game of Twister— en français et auf Deutsch! The day also saw our linguists-in-training gearing up for the Linguistics Olympiad with a practice run, honing their skills for the upcoming competition. In Food and Nutrition, girls learnt about French cooking terminology and had a go at making julienne, chiffonade and brunoise vegetables.

Midweek, our Enrichment period provided an opportunity for exploration as students sampled taster lessons in an array of languages: Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Bengali, Russian, Khmer, Bulgarian, Hindi and Marathi. Later, they immersed themselves in the vibrant world of German music and embarked on a thrilling scavenger hunt.

Thursday was all about putting language skills to the test with an engaging round of ‘Guess Who?’ Students also showcased their creativity by crafting colourful masks for Carnaval, embracing the rich traditions of global festivities. Finally, Friday brought a delectable conclusion to our week-long celebration with a cheese-tasting session, accompanied by the delightful sight of students donning their international outfits. It was a heart-warming reminder of the diverse cultures we are privileged to connect with here at Tormead. As we reflect on this fun-filled week, we are immensely proud of our students’ eagerness to explore new languages and embrace diverse cultures. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff for their unwavering support and enthusiasm throughout the week.

The Languages Department