Held in the beautifully transformed school library—decorated with French flags and Eiffel Towers—the event created an immersive and celebratory atmosphere that reflected the spirit of French language and culture. Every student who took part rose to the challenge of delivering a spoken presentation entirely in French, lasting between one and three minutes, demonstrating both courage and commitment to pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones.

The evening featured a wide range of engaging and personal topics. In Year 9, Tehya confidently described her daily routine, while Isabelle spoke thoughtfully about her family life and her ideal partner. Eloise delivered an insightful presentation on celebrities she admires and dislikes, as well as a balanced discussion on the pros and cons of fame. Michael spoke with enthusiasm about his hobbies, highlighting the important role that sport and music play in his life.

Year 11 student Mylea gave an eloquent reflection on how her free-time activities have evolved over time, including her participation in the Island Games in Scotland last year, demonstrating both maturity and how studies can impact free-time and hobbies which can, in turn, help to maintain positive mental health.

Year 12 and Year 13 students from The Island VI Form also delivered highly accomplished presentations, truly inspiring our younger students and allowing them to see the level that they could reach in just a few short years' time.

The evening was further enhanced by a distinguished panel of judges:

Sarah Kane, freelance translator for the arts

Léna Gravis, Editorial Development Manager at the Ellen MacArthur Trust

Sam Edwards-Labelle, Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager at MMC Diving Services

Their feedback reflected the exceptional standard of the event. Sarah Kane commented: “I was absolutely blown away by the standard of all the students – I hadn't expected that level of fluency or accuracy at such a young age. It was quite incredible.”

Sam Edwards-Labelle added: “I was so impressed with the level I heard this evening. Thank you for reigniting my love of languages!”

Léna Gravis praised the cohort, stating: “The school should be very proud of having such talented students. They were simply exceptional.”

The evening concluded with an inspiring keynote speech from guest speaker Mark Walker OBE. He spoke passionately about the power of language learning and its role in building understanding between cultures. He emphasised how learning languages can strengthen relationships and even contribute to trust and peace at both national and international levels. He also highlighted the cognitive benefits of language learning, praising Mrs. Brear and the MFL Department at Medina College for its commitment to providing students with opportunities to challenge themselves and experience the “fight or flight” feelings that many people try to avoid. He commended the school for fostering resilience, confidence, and global awareness among its students.

The evening was a true celebration of linguistic ambition, academic excellence, and personal growth. Staff praised all participants for their confidence, resilience, and willingness to take on the challenge of public speaking in a foreign language. The event not only highlighted the strength of modern foreign languages at Medina College but also the bright futures awaiting its students.

Co-Head of School, Anna Mursell, said: “It was an absolute privilege to watch our students – ranging from Year 9 all the way through to Year 13 – presenting entirely in French to a live audience and a panel of fluent judges. Public speaking is a daunting task on its own, but to do so articulately in a second language in front of an expert panel takes a remarkable level of skill and bravery.

Watching them rise to the occasion perfectly summed up what our community stands for. These exceptional students truly embodied the Medina College values: Ambition, Courage and Confidence. 

A huge 'merci' to our wonderful panel of judges for their time and expertise, to our fantastic speaker, to the caregivers who came out to support, to Mrs Brear for orchestrating the event and, most importantly, to our incredible students. You have made us all immensely proud!”

The visit began with a guided tour of the venue, giving students an insight into how Department operates as a creative and community space. They learnt about the wide range of roles involved in running events and exhibitions, from marketing and event planning to technical production and design. It was a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand the variety of career pathways available within the creative industries.

Students were also able to explore the current exhibition of vibrant carnival masks. The colourful, larger-than-life costumes made a big impression. The exhibition sparked discussion about culture, design, and the creative process, and students were fascinated by the detail and craftsmanship behind each piece.

The highlight of the day was a hands-on workshop challenge. Working in teams, students were given a specific venue, an audience demographic and size, and a set budget. Their task was to design an event concept that linked to the town of Ryde. They then developed their ideas and pitched them back to the group, just as they would in a real-world professional setting.

We were incredibly proud of the creativity, teamwork, and confidence our students demonstrated. Their ideas ranged from community festivals and live music events to interactive exhibitions celebrating Ryde’s history and seaside heritage. The quality of the pitches was outstanding, with students carefully considering budgeting, marketing, and audience engagement.

Students were full of praise for the experience. Comments included, “We had so much fun,” and “The experience was 10/10 – they went above and beyond.” Another student shared, “It was really fun and confidence boosting,” while one reflected on the careers insight gained: “I learnt about so many different career options that are available in drama that aren’t just being on stage.” Many students said they would love to return, with one adding, “I would 100% go again if I got the opportunity.”

It was a valuable and memorable visit that helped students develop important skills in communication, problem-solving, and enterprise, while broadening their understanding of careers within the creative and performing arts industries. We would like to thank the team at Department for providing such a meaningful and inspiring opportunity and to the team at Creative Island for their organisation of the experience. 

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to look at advanced AI robotics programmes, futuristic propulsion systems for cars and boats, and use lots of different VR experiences. On top of all this, we got to look at classic cars from throughout the ages, see iconic F1 cars (and meet some drivers) and watch the Red Arrows up close!