The director of the private college of Lestonnac, François Begards explains the organization and the advantages of his establishment Photo: Valérie Doulevant
Friday 11 and monday 14 October 2013, the refectory of the Lestonnac college in Carignan-près-Bordeaux (Private Catholic institution under association contract with the state), sold out to the parents of some future sixth graders for the next school year (2014/2015).
François Begards presented, for more than two hours, the operation and principles of its establishment.
The Lestonnac college in Carignan (near Bordeaux) is above all a place of different life and education. Respectful students, relaxed but also studious. Like any college… but there is something else that emerges from the words of François: a desire to offer differently.
It is not less than 32 workshops that are set up within Lestonnac : orchestra, musical comedy, theater, judo, Aikido, horse riding, archery, sculpture, DJ, first aid training, journal, Mountain biking, artistic creation, cirque, origami, gardening, cuisine, IT and internet… or even directed studies and personalized help.
The rhythms are based on the annualization of school time : two schedules , systematic intercourse, lessons in real time and a judicious distribution of terms. Four teachers during the day, four lessons of 1h30 each: finally time to say “Hello… Thank you… Goodbye!”.
At the time of changes in depth of the primary school rhythms, this college seems , his, give students time to find their place in their schooling, while insisting on the respect and solidarity of all.
The trips set up for this year make you dream (Spain, Dordogne, Québec…), a twinning with Great Britain and many initiatives mark this place of school life.
A serious and solid team, led by a master hand, charismatic and attentive, strikes the spirits.
Especially since last month, bereaved by accidental death on a Gironde road, a former student, the college supported the family in their farewells. A “ange” musician, teenager's 15 years, didn’t go alone into the beyond…
This great “family” continues to live in spite of everything and the Lestonnac college is all the more admirable.
Lestonnac College
http://www.college-lestonnac.com/
Valérie Doulevant
