September in France is synonymous with la rentrée – the start of the school year, and a time of transition and renewal. The long days of summer are behind us, the trees are turning, and orchards are laden with apples. It is always a busy season, and at Te Arawhata it has been no exception.
This month, hundreds of New Zealanders passed through our doors.
Among them were the rugby teams of Lindisfarne College and students from Hobsonville Point Secondary School.
We were also delighted to host Priscilla Lynch, a French teacher at St Mary’s College, Auckland, and the first recipient of the Rosaria Campbell Award for Excellence in French Teaching. Her week in Le Quesnoy deepened our partnerships with local schools and created opportunities for cultural exchange and learning. You can read more about the scholarship – and Priscilla’s reflections – here.
Locals, too, flocked to Te Arawhata during the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine, the annual heritage festival organised by the French Ministry of Culture. With this year’s theme of architecture, we proudly showcased our beautiful building and its remarkable transformation from police station to museum. Visitors joined architect Véronique Coupet for a behind-the-scenes tour and discovered a pop-up exhibition created with local photo club Image’In Action.
Another seasonal highlight was the 35th annual Fête du Lait. The smell of pressed apples and warm gaufres filled the town square as the community gathered to enjoy market stalls and autumn sunshine. Our team, joined by enthusiastic Tourism students from l’Institution Sainte Jeanne d’Arc, shared the story of the museum and joined in this vibrant celebration of local life.
This month also marked an important milestone: 25 years of the Association Le Quesnoy Nouvelle-Zélande. We were honoured to attend the evening celebration and hear past and present presidents reflect on the association’s rich history – including the 25-year twinning of Cambridge and Le Quesnoy, marked on Anzac Day earlier this year. We wish the Association many more successful years and look forward to continuing our work together to celebrate our shared history and friendship.
Finally, we are delighted to welcome two new members to the Te Arawhata team: Léonie Vandeputte, who begins a year-long apprenticeship while completing her Tourism diploma, and Lindsay Vanstavel, who takes on the permanent role of Learning and Engagement Manager at the end of the month. We are excited to have their energy and expertise on board!
