As all GPS Years 4, 5 and 6 students must memorise and recite a poem for GPs French assessment, students are also encouraged to enter the annual Alliance Française poetry competition: 'The Berthe Mouchette Competition'.

Greythorn Primary's record at the Alliance is outstanding.

Founded in 1890, the Alliance Française de Melbourne is a non-profit association that promotes French language and culture via activities, such as: film festivals, conversation groups and language courses. It is part of a worldwide network of 1,400 Alliances Françaises in 138 countries.

The Berthe Mouchette Competition' is open to primary and secondary schools and is held each year around May/June. As GPs enters so many students, examiners visit the school to conduct their assessments, ensuring a familiar environment for our competitors.

In 2004, 156 out of 164 Year 4 to 6 GPS students attained certificates and of those, every Year 5 who entered received an award. We also gained the 3rd prize in Year 5. We had seven Finalists in the 2005 Alliance Francaise Poetry competition. In 2006, over 170 students from Years 4 to 6 competed in the recitation competition. Two Year 5 students and one from Year 4 were seleceted as Finalists. Last year, 185 of our students entered -168 received Honourable Mention and Very Honourable Mention certificates and 3rd prize was gained by Julia in Year 4.

Click here to view the 2008 poems

The 2008 competition

Entry costs $4.00 and money and entry form must be in NO LATER than Wednesday 23 April.

The competition will be held between 9.15 and 12.15 at school on Wednesday 25 June.

Click here to view 2008 poems