Spanish Exchange

Foreign Exchange News

by Patrick Venner

My name is Patryk Venner and for the second year in a row, I took part in the Spanish exchange. Two years ago, when I went on the Spanish exchange, I didn’t know what to expect. I had never been to Madrid before and didn’t know what life was like there.

As a Spanish exchange student, you live with a Spanish family, attend a Spanish school and go on day trips to a variety of places. Living with a Spanish speaking family and having a Spanish student as your friend gives you the opportunity to put your Spanish speaking skills into practice in real life situations. Attending a Spanish school gives you an insight into the lives of teenagers living and studying in Spain. Going on day trips gives you a flavour of Spanish culture, traditions and history.

My personal highlights over the course of the two exchanges include visiting both the Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid stadiums, eating octopus in a restaurant and being a student for the day at the Spanish secondary school.

My fluency when speaking and my range of vocabulary have improved as has my confidence in using Spanish in many different situations.

My advice to students who are thinking of joining the exchange is to go for it.

Make sure you contact your exchange partner before you go to break the ice and when you get there, smile and be sociable with your host family.

Suerte!

The best films of 2019

by Jack White

1) The Irishman (Netflix Original)

This biographical crime thriller follows Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) as he recalls his past years working for the Bufalino crime family. Now older, the WWII veteran once again reflects on his most prolific hits and, in particular, considers his involve

ment with his good friend Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance in 1975.

2) Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

3) Little Women Actor Rick Dalton gained fame and fortune by starring in a 1950s television Western, but is now struggling to find meaningful work in a Hollywood that he doesn't recognize anymore. He spends most of his time drinking and palling around with Cliff Booth, his easy-going best friend and long-time stunt double. Rick also happens to live next door to Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate -- the filmmaker and budding actress whose futures will forever be altered by members of the Manson Family.

In the years after the Civil War, Jo March lives in New York and makes her living as a writer, while her sister Amy studies painting in Paris. Amy has a chance encounter with Theodore, a childhood crush who proposed to Jo but was ultimately rejected. Their oldest sibling, Meg, is married to a schoolteacher, while shy sister Beth develops a devastating illness that brings the family back together.

4) Joker

Forever alone in a crowd, failed comedian Arthur Fleck seeks connection as he walks the streets of Gotham City. Arthur wears two masks -- the one he paints for his day job as a clown, and the guise he projects in a futile attempt to feel like he's part of the world around him. Isolated, bullied and disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker.

5) Knives Out

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey dies just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc arrives at his estate to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Thrombey's untimely demise.

The best films of 2019

by Jack White

6) Hustlers

Working as a stripper to make ends meet, Destiny's life changes forever when she becomes friends with Ramona -- the club's top money earner. Ramona soon shows Destiny how to finagle her way around the wealthy Wall Street clientele who frequent the club. But when the 2008 economic collapse cuts into their profits, the gals and two other dancers devise a daring scheme to take their lives back.

6) Toy Story 4

Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie and a new toy named Forky. The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody's slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep. As Woody and Bo discuss the old days, they soon start to realize that they're worlds apart when it comes to what they want from life as a toy.

However, the runaway success story of 2020 so far is Sam Mendes’ epic World War One film, “1917”.

Let’s see if it can win Best Picture Oscar !

School Trips—Italy

by the MFL team

Italy Trip to Lake Garda, Benice, Florence and the Dolomites

During the 2019 Enrichment Week, 48 Year 8 and 9 students travelled with staff to Italy for a week to

experience the sights and culture of Northern Italy.

Despite the torrential downpour on our day trip to Lake Garda, the rain finally disappeared, the sun came out

for our boat trip and the skies stayed clear for the remainder of the week.

All students had an excellent trip, with highlights being a day trip to Venice, coach and boat trips around Lake

Garda, a day trip to Verona (including a visit to Juliette’s balcony), and a day in the glorious Dolomites playing

mini-golf. As well as these amazing day trips, students enjoyed the luxuries of the pool in the hotel, ample

helpings of ice cream, and a fantastic evening in an open air fort for the final nights meal.

All students were a credit to the School and behaved impeccably across the week. Yet another fantastic trip

abroad!

The trip to Italy is an annual feature of life at Barton Court and the trip will continue this Summer in 2020.