Auburn High School students, who were the first prize winners in the Foreign Secondary category of the “Dis-moi dix mots” competition, were presented their prize in Paris at the famous Académie Française. The most prestigious academy on French language, The Académie Française was created in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu. The students and their French teacher, Mrs Charbonneau, were greeted by the Académie perpetual’s secretary Mrs Carrere d’Encausse. They were invited to present their work around the 10 words selected for this year’s competition with the other laureates. The ceremony was followed with a visit of the Académie Française, a Seine river cruise and an official photo in front of the Institution.

In the evening, the group was invited for dinner by His Excellency Stephen Brady at the Australian Embassy in Paris. Principal Maria Karvouni explains, “The purpose of the dinner was in honour of Senator Michael Ronaldson, Australian Minister of Veteran Affairs, and Australian veterans from WWII in Paris to commemorate Armistice Day. It was an emotional and wonderful evening that we all really enjoyed. This was such a momentous occasion for Auburn High School !”