On Tuesday 21st April 2026, Medina College hosted a vibrant and highly successful Evening of Excellence in Modern Foreign Languages, showcasing the remarkable dedication, confidence, and talent of students across multiple year groups.

Held in the beautifully transformed school library—decorated with French flags and Eiffel Towers—the event created an immersive and celebratory atmosphere that reflected the spirit of French language and culture. Every student who took part rose to the challenge of delivering a spoken presentation entirely in French, lasting between one and three minutes, demonstrating both courage and commitment to pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones.

The evening featured a wide range of engaging and personal topics. Year 12 student, Amélie, followed the Year 9–11 students and delivered a sophisticated and historically informed presentation on the events of May 1968 in France and the student protests that shaped modern French society and attitudes to young people having a voice.

The evening showcased the exceptional calibre of the Year 13 cohort, who will be completing their A-level speaking examinations in just two weeks’ time. Lydia, a passionate linguistics enthusiast who hopes to study at either Cambridge or Durham University, spoke compellingly about the Creole language of La Réunion.

Lacey-May, also a student of Criminology and aspiring to study Liberal Arts with French at Royal Holloway, University of London, delivered a refined and thoughtful presentation on the controversial Dreyfus Affair. Her ambition is to pursue a career in teaching having completed her degree and after completing her studies at the Island VI Form.

Brianna impressed the audience with her detailed and fluent analysis of Operation Serval, the French military intervention in Mali. She hopes to continue her studies in French alongside Mandarin or Russian at the University of Bath, with aspirations of working in international diplomacy or national security. 

Finally, Keira gave a passionate and timely presentation on the impact of Covid-19 on haute cuisine in France, explaining how even Michelin-starred restaurants adapted through innovation, including video cookery classes, takeaway services, and online ordering systems.

The evening was further enhanced by a distinguished panel of judges:
Sarah Kane, freelance translator for the arts
Léna Gravis, Editorial Development Manager at the Ellen MacArthur Trust
Sam Edwards-Labelle, Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager at MMC Diving Services

Their feedback reflected the exceptional standard of the event. Sarah Kane commented: “I was absolutely blown away by the standard of all the students – I hadn't expected that level of fluency or accuracy at such a young age. It was quite incredible.”

Sam Edwards-Labelle added: “I was so impressed with the level I heard this evening. Thank you for re-igniting my love of languages!”

Léna Gravis praised the cohort, stating: “The school should be very proud of having such talented students. They were simply exceptional.”

The evening concluded with an inspiring keynote speech from guest speaker Mark Walker OBE. He spoke passionately about the power of language learning and its role in building understanding between cultures. He emphasised how learning languages can strengthen relationships and even contribute to trust and peace at both national and international levels. He also highlighted the cognitive benefits of language learning, praising Mrs. Brear and the MFL Department at Medina College for its commitment to providing students with opportunities to challenge themselves and experience the “fight or flight” feelings that many people try to avoid. He commended the school for fostering resilience, confidence, and global awareness among its students.

The evening was a true celebration of linguistic ambition, academic excellence, and personal growth. Staff praised all participants for their confidence, resilience, and willingness to take on the challenge of public speaking in a foreign language. The event not only highlighted the strength of modern foreign languages at Medina College but also the bright futures awaiting its students.

Co-Head of School, Anna Mursell, said: “It was an absolute privilege to watch our students – ranging from Year 9 all the way through to Year 13 – presenting entirely in French to a live audience and panel of fluent judges. Public speaking is a daunting task on its own, but to do so articulately in a second language in front of an expert panel takes a remarkable level of skill and bravery.

Watching them rise to the occasion perfectly summed up what our community stands for. These exceptional students truly embodied the Medina College values: Ambition, Courage and Confidence. 

A huge 'merci' to our wonderful panel of judges for their time and expertise, to our fantastic speaker, to the caregivers who came out to support, to Mrs Brear for orchestrating the event and, most importantly, to our incredible students. You have made us all immensely proud!”.