École Fox Run is preparing to host over 500 French Immersion and Francophone students from across the province on May 12-14. The annual Francophone Games involves students in grades 7-12, who compete in various athletic and artistic components.

Two levels of sports (grades 7-9 and grades 10-12) includes soccer, kinball, volleyball, basketball and badminton, with medal winners becoming eligible to attend the national competition. The Sylvan Lake Games will also involve an artistic component, which includes music, culinary and illustrative arts.

“We are so excited to provide students with this opportunity to use their French Language skills in an authentic setting, as we celebrate the French language and culture,” said Marie-Astrid Detharet, Chinook’s Edge Learning Services Coordinator (French Immersion).

“I think this is a great opportunity for our students. It’s so important to show them the language doesn’t just occur in the four walls of our classrooms - it is a way of learning together that opens unique opportunities for their future.”

Marie-Astrid is co-chairing the Games along with Racquel Fielder, a Grade 7 French Immersion teacher at École Fox Run. The entire event - including the Opening Ceremonies which involves French entertainment, the introduction of students from each Zone, and the lighting of the cauldron - takes place right at the school. Each of the nine Zones in the province will bring supervisors who are responsible for their group of students, so that students will eat, sleep and live in French at École Fox Run