It’s the end of another school year and I feel like it’s only just got going. I know I am not alone in thinking this and I know it’s not an original sentiment but really, these last ten months have sped by so fast it’s frightening. I thought I’d share with you some of the things that go on during the month of June to mark the end of the year in our neck of the woods, in the south of France.
The end of year Spectacle/Gala
If your child has been involved in a dance or gym club the chances are they’ve been preparing for the spectacle/gala for several months and their hard work is about to be rewarded with the big show. But from a parent’s point of view, this show is usually anticipated with pleasure and horror in equal measures. The thing is, it goes on for hours and hours. And it takes up a whole day. (So maybe just tipping in favour of horror…but shhh, I didn’t really say that, did I?)
This is how it works. On a Saturday in the middle of June a large public theatre, such as the Palais Stéphanie in Cannes (sometimes even the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, where the Film Festival takes place), is booked and taken over by dance/gym clubs from different towns. Rehearsals start in the morning and continue throughout the day until around 6pm when there’s a two hour break to eat and get dressed. Then the fun begins as each class puts on its show. If you’re lucky and your child goes first and isn’t in the grand finale you might get away by 9pm – ish. But, more likely, you have to sit through 3-4 hours of other people’s children performing until around midnight. Now bear in mind that this can involve kids as young as 4 and you start to get the picture of just how L.O.N.G the day is! Visions of Eastern Bloc mass displays of gymnastics, the Spartakiad, which my parents witnessed in Prague in 1980, spring to mind…I don’t know why! Add to this the financial implications; you have to pay to see your own kid, with tickets around 30€ a head this can also be an expensive outing for a family. The balance is tipping more and more towards horror…
So moving swiftly on to the other big event in the calendar…
The end of year Kermesse
The Kermesse, or the school fete, also takes place in June, during one long Friday evening. It starts shortly after school ends at 4.30pm and is billed as lasting until midnight! This is the school fete for infant and primary levels, 3 to 10 year olds we’re talking about, not high school kids.
First up are the traditional games such as Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Coconut Shy (made with tin cans), duck fishing, etc, all spread out under the shade of green oaks and pine trees. There’s face painting and a busy snack bar and barbeque which luckily for thirsty adults serves beer and rosé as well as crêpes, paninis, pan bagnat and sausages.
The children get tokens for completing each game which they then swap for prizes. The bigger prizes require more tokens so there’s a manic rush to do as many games as possible before the best prizes go. Somehow the evening always turns into a mass water fight as the water pistols are definitely the most sought after prize.
Around 8pm the raffle is drawn and the music starts. A local band or two play chart hits and popular cheesy music through to midnight and everyone from tiny 2 year olds to grandparents gets up to dance. One of the best moments ever for me, and one that I don’t think I’ll forget in a long time, was the singing teacher belting out Lily Allen’s hit Fuck You with perfect enunciation and everyone singing along, totally oblivious to the meaning of the words. It’s got to be one of my best “French” anecdotes. There is no censorship of pop music here unlike in UK where the F word gets beeped out (or even replaced with a radio “clean” version, in this case “Thank you”) and this song was a massive hit. You’d hear it everywhere in its entirety in supermarkets, shopping malls and evidently at school fetes! [You can read more about the French attitude to swear words in English here.]
Well, this year’s kermesse is on this Friday, and for the first time ever I’m not on snack bar duty having served paninis for 6 years running. This time I’m free to do the rounds with my little one and then I hope to win an iPad, dance to Lily Allen, dodge the water pistols and drink a little too much rosé under a warm southern night, twinkling with fireflies. It’s not so bad after all.
**UPDATE 2015** So, that night off didn’t happen, I got roped into serving paninis in 2013 and again in 2014. I guess I’ll be doing it next week for the 9th year, so I might as well make it a round 10 next year for my kid’s last year of primary!
What happens at the end of the school year where you live? Expats, are there any cultural differences from what you’re used to “back home”? What do you like and what don’t you like about the end of the school year?
Further Reading
Sightseeing With Children – Visiting Hill Villages
The summer splash sounds fun. Our kids work up till the bitter end here, manically trying to finish the syllabus. The little kid is still having tests with 7 days of school left! On the very last day they have a water fight with balloons and water pistols which they love, but it’s serious until then!
Glad I’m not the only one who feels like that Molly!
Paying for the baby is extreme! I can see how it must be odd to put makeup on a 6 yo. My boys have never needed that!
The bar for the parents is a necessity I find! Sounds like fun Becky, sounds like you have a good community.
My eldest finished a couple of weeks ago but the little one still has a week and a half to go. I do think UK breaks up late though and I can see how it must make you miss the States.
The kermesse yes, the spectacles…hmmm
Sounds like a good part to have for a 7 yo. Her (female) cousin would have been jealous!
Oh that’s such a shame, and totally ridiculous. You wouldn’t have such sensibilities here in France with “funk” sounding like something else, they love that other word here!!
oh I love reading your stories Phoebe, always a laugh! We are thank god still too young to be doing the year end concert extravaganzas but they are coming… this year the kids from all the Aldar Academy schools in AD rehearsed like mad for the finale act at Emirates Palace, only to be told last minute that they would not be allowed to perform (yep parents sitting their 4 hours waiting to see there child’s one song) because it was decided “Uptown Funk” -as agreed beforehand and printed in the program – sounded too similar to another word. UAE Censorship at its best ; )
We have just been to see No.2 granddaughter being a rat in the pied piper an opera written by a local composer. It was very good and she was one of many squeaky 7 year olds. Makes a change from nativity plays.
What a lovely way to end the school Year!
#ExpatLifeLinky
Wow, looks amazing!! Our school year has not finished yet and won’t until end of July. It’s finally getting hot outside too and seeing all the FB posts of friends who have kids in USA doing summer stuff is making me homesick. My kids have never known anything different so going to school in June and July is perfectly normal for them. I always find this time of year a challenge! #ExpatLifeLinky
I love the end of school show it’s so much fun! The kids here do it in the local village hall where everyone crams in, it’s far too hot, and there’s not enough room for all the parents kids friends and family…but it’s all good fun! Last year after the show there was a bouncy castle and kids games, a little train ride around the village, a bar (for the parents!) and a meal for all. It rained so we all crammed back into the village hall. This year both my boys will be taking part for the first time. We’re all looking forward to it!
Oh I sympathise with the show – we have to trek to see our daughter perform on SATURDAY morning! This is our sacred lie in time (we trained the baby to sleep late especially!). I have to put make up on my beautiful 6 year old (ewwwww) and we have to pay per person to watch which we have no problem with except that the baby is charged for sitting in our lap!
The fete looks like great fun though, enough to make up for it. OUr school year is longer here so the kids are in school for a few more weeks.
It is crazy how quickly time goes by! I remember, as a teacher, that you would think the end of the year was so far away, but before you knew it, report writing and the new classes would need to be prepared!
A few weeks left here, although we’ve already had the summer fair (at which I got to man a stall where people had to throw toilet rolls into a toilet….really), and sports days are next week. After that I think they probably stop work – they don’t seem to do very much but watch DVD’s for about the last three weeks. I think mostly because the teachers have had enough! The last night of term they hold a “Summer Splash” at the outdoor lido, which we have been to for the last couple of years and is always a fun event. Last year we had to drag Martha (then 6 yrs old) out of the pool at 10pm to get her home…..
You’re absolutely right Ramon, thanks for popping by.
And the list continues…that’s A LOT of parties Ceci (but you do have A LOT of kids too)!!! Thanks for taking the time to comment 😀
You’re right there are many more things to write about, watch this space for posts on end-of-year-teacher’- present-handing-over-gouter!!! Not sure Enid Blyton would like the choice of music at our kermesse but I know what you mean. Thanks for commenting Mrs BB.
I haven’t heard of Grandparents Day, I don’t think it happens in France, but it’s sure to be on its way…
I remember your visit that coincided with the Kermesse; it must have been about 5 years ago already! Time flies. Enjoy your sports day, taht’s one thing that doesn’t happen here. 🙁
I’m all baked out, with 2 birthdays in the family in June too, Liz! IDo you really want me to blog about your leaving party? I think it’s best I don’t!!! :p
When they have all gone we will be missing these busy times!! and more reasons to stuff our faces with chocolate cakes, rosé and sweets!!
One more to add to your list: the number of birthday parties goes through the roof this month – with those that parents decide to throw in June because their little darlings’ birthdays fall during the summer holidays (we’re guilty too!). My kids have [u]5[/u] birthday parties next weekend..!
It’s so true!
Add into the mix the theatre clubs, swimming demos, teacher’s end of year present handing over..
But I wouldn’t miss it – it’s a great Enid Blyton way of ending the school year.
Now rock on 10 weeks of summer holidays!!
I remember coming to one such school fate and the kids had their fill of candy floss. Hope you have a fun evening, we have sports day tomorrow and the day after but are escaping the school Party in the Park…
Sounds like a load of fun Phoebe. The latest in our part of the world is “grandparents” day. Luckily our grandchildren are scattered all over so we don’t get to go. Phew
You forgot to mention friends’ leaving parties too!! They always take place in June, before everyone goes off on holiday!! But you’re right, the month of June is absolutely exhausting, three boys, tons of different activities. You forgot medal-giving ceremonies too (football, tennis, etc,) always followed by a goûter! I spend the month of June baking cakes, one of my boys always needs one for something or other!!