There has been lots going on across the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department this term, including four exceptional competitions and lots of prizes.
Anthea Bell prize
Queen’s College at the University of Oxford host the Anthea Bell Translation Competition, inspired by the life and work of the great translator Anthea Bell. It aims to promote language learning across the UK and to inspire creativity in the classroom.
A team of undergraduates and professional translators judged entries to the competition, and we are delighted to say that the work of two OHS students were commended.
Commendation, French, Level 1: Holly W (Year 7)
Commendation, Mandarin, Level 2: Emilia N and Maria F (joint entry – Year 8)
This is a great achievement given over 15,000 students participate every year!
UK Association of Promoting Chinese Education (UKAPCE) Calligraphy competition
This year, some of our Mandarin students took part in the National Calligraphy Competition organised by UKAPCE. The competition, which featured hard and brush writing, was organised to encourage students to carry forward the culture embodied in calligraphy which occupies a distinguished position in traditional Chinese culture.
A team of professional artists judged entries to the competition, and we are delighted to announce that the following students have won.
In the non-Chinese category:
Bronze prize:
Edie B (Year 8)
Alice F (Year 8)
Evie H (Year 8)
Ana K (Year 8)
Emma L (Year 8)
Maia M (Year 8)
Isla S (Year 8)
Silver prize:
Emilia N
In the Chinese Heritage category:
Bronze prize:
Amy W (Year 9)
Gold prize:
Mila C (Year 9)
French Flash Fiction competition
This year, The University of Oxford received over 950 entries for the French Flash Fiction competition. The judging panel were very impressed with the quality of the stories and commented the following:
It has been an honour and a delight to judge the entries for the 2023 Flash Fiction competition. With stories of just 100 words, you have shown us the world through the eyes of raindrops, snowflakes, trees, planets and even a smuggled leg of ham! We read about climate change, flânerie, political and historical events, exile, writer’s block, gender identity and travelled to other times and worlds. Along the way, we met a life-saving pony, a winter-loving duck, a conscientious cannibal and many other fascinating characters that ignited our imagination. We would like to thank all participants and congratulate you on producing such wonderfully creative, inspiring and original texts. Félicitations !
We are extremely proud of Emily Y (Year 10), who won the competition in the Years 10-11 category. She will receive a £100 prize.
Oxford German Olympiad
Participating students had to write a story about two children from different cultural backgrounds becoming friends through food. This year the panel of judges found it extremely hard to pick the winners from a vast amount of mouth-watering entries. Klara F (Year 10), and we are delighted to say that her work was highly commended!
Congratulations to all the students involved, this is a fantastic achievement.