YEAR 9 pupils at Bryn Hafren recently received a visit from their French pen pals.

The pupils came from College Saint Paul in Angouleme, La Charente (South West France). The two schools have regular contact with pupils writing to each other and every year they meet up. This year it was the turn of College Saint Paul to visit Barry.

The day was filled with fun activities, in the morning we all took part in team building activities, led by drama teacher Mr Coombs. He told us: “Its great to embrace two different cultures, it helps all the pupils with their language skills as well. It was an amazing day.”

After team building the pupils headed to the Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff for a game of bowling. For some of the French pupils it was their first time at bowling. One of the pen pals, Hugo Allfetit told me “Wales is such a beautiful country, my friends and I are having a great time. We love meeting our pen pals and making new friends. I love Wales.”

Bryn Hafren pupil Ruby Redrup said: “ I really enjoyed mixing with people from different cultures and from different lifestyles. Meeting my pen pal has widened my French vocabulary. The pen pals are so friendly and welcoming.”

Everyone had a great time and wish they could do it again.

Megan Hewitson and Emily Owen.