Term 2 2025 Newsletter
FANS News: Association, Bilingual Education & Events
4 July, 2025 by
Term 2 2025 Newsletter
FANS Admin Team


Dear families, 

Thank you for your continued support of your child's bilingual education. As parents, it takes consistent effort and hard work, some would even say a daily battle, to raise bilingual kids in an English-centric country. However, the rewards outweigh the effort, and so we persist!

Learning in two languages is amazing for kids' developing brains in so many ways, and positively affects learning outcomes. Bilingual learning provides a deeper understanding of language, and opens children to new people, cultures, and the wider world. After primary school, knowing another language can offer possibilities for studying overseas, travel, exciting career options, and a first-hand appreciation of multiculturalism.

It's important to keep these outcomes in mind on the days when the homework is tricky, the reader is boring, or the task is just too hard. Overcoming these challenges helps to create resilience, which we can all agree is an important life skill.

French After Year 6 Once your child is in high school, students can continue to grow their French skills with FANS after-school classes to study History or Current Affairs, and to prepare for the DELF Jr. B1 & B2 exams. The DELF is an internationally recognised certification that is valid for life, and is often required to live, study or work in French-speaking countries.

Term 2 - That's a wrap! We are already half-way through the year! Highlights of Term 2 include the annual French Poetry Recitation Competition, our high school students sitting the DELF Jr exam, the opening of 2026 enrolments, the epic Couscous Royal parents' dinner & dancing soirée, the FANS Annual General Meeting, and World Music Day in Killarney Heights!

Term 3 - What's coming up Teachers and staff are already getting ready for Term 3, featuring the Rallye Lecture reading competition. Some Year 6 students will be off to visit Camberwell Primary School in Victoria, as well as preparing for the DELF Prim' A1 & A2 exams.

In Term 4, the FANS French Market is coming up on Sunday 16 November, with lots of preparations in the coming months!

The winter break is also synonymous with Bastille Day on 14 July. We hope to see you at one of the events around Sydney!

Best wishes for a fun and restful school holiday, 

 

The FANS Team 
French-speaking Association of the North Shore


 Association


FANS Annual General Meeting

On 11 June, FANS held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), bringing together members of the Association for an evening of reflection and future planning. 

The event included a presentation of past and upcoming projects, a 2024 financial review, a Q&A session, a vote on a special resolution to update the Association’s Constitution, and the election of the new Committee.

Read the 2024 Financial Report
Read the AGM Minutes


New Committee Elected


Congratulations to the new FANS Committee — a passionate and dedicated team of parent volunteers who will serve for the next 12 months. Each member brings a unique mix of skills, energy, and commitment to bilingual education.

Read about the Committee Members

After six years in multiple roles, Clemence Duprat has stepped down as President as her family prepares to relocate overseas. We thank her warmly for her leadership and tireless contributions to FANS.

We welcome Jérémy Dupuit as the new President and look forward to the year ahead under his guidance.

A special welcome to Kimberley Law, joining the Committee as a General Member, bringing with her valuable experience in bilingual education. 

Many thanks to outgoing General Member Marine Hautemont for her role in welcoming new families and taking an active role in the Committee’s activities. 

Thank you to all who attended and supported the evening. Here’s to another exciting and successful year for FANS — a parent-led, not-for-profit Association driven by a shared commitment to bilingualism and community!

FANS & European Aussie Drinks

With a huge turnout and a vibrant crowd, FANS is thrilled to have been a part of the special French edition of European Aussie Drinks networking event at the Sofitel Wentworth, where we were warmly welcomed with a "Bonjour"!

Many thanks to the organisers and to the FANS members who joined us, and we look forward to taking part in more events that gather the wonderful French-speaking community of Sydney.

"Le Petit Paris"

What makes Killarney Heights so special? According to a recent ABC News feature, our beloved suburb is now known as “Le Petit Paris” – the French capital of Australia!
“Killarney attracts not only French people, but also Australians and others who are open-minded, worldly and interested in French culture. It's a very welcoming place, and I feel so lucky to live here,” shares local parent Claire Aroul.
A big merci beaucoup to local journalist Caroline Riches and the ABC for highlighting the FANS French Bilingual Program and KHPS, and for introducing our vibrant community to a wider audience. Please help share this article widely to spread the word!

Read more

 Events


Term 2 Events

Couscous Royal Dinner & Dancing Soirée

The delicious Couscous Royal Soirée was a huge success, with 120 tickets sold! Many thanks to the whole community for attending, dressing up, and creating a fantastic ambiance. 

Special thanks to the team of parent volunteers who worked hard and with smiles to set-up and clean-up the event this weekend. Your precious time and efforts are so appreciated. Without you, these events wouldn’t be possible!  

World Music Day in Killarney Heights 2025 

A celebration of community & music

Under warm sunshine, the 2025 edition of World Music Day in Killarney Heights brought together our community for a joyful celebration of music, culture, and connection.

With performances from hundreds of musicians of all ages, the school came alive with rhythm, and energy.

This vibrant, whole-school event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the many dedicated volunteers. 

A heartfelt thank you to the many parents, students, partners, staff and community members who gave their time and talents to help run the day — your contributions are truly the heartbeat of this event.

Congratulations to the musicians who performed throughout the day! Special thanks go to the conductors, music teachers, and tutors who guided and inspired our performers, and participated in creating the day.

As this event continues to grow, it’s immensely rewarding to see World Music Day becoming a highlight in our community calendar. We’re proud to bring more music, joy, and culture to Killarney Heights!

Upcoming Events

Bastille Day in Sydney

Sydney loves a good French party, and the upcoming Bastille Day events don't disappoint! We hope to see you at some of the events to celebrate 14 July. 

L'Alliance Française Bastille Day Party

Saturday 12 July | From 6pm
Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney
Crêpes, Cancan, and French vibes — it’s all happening on Sat 12 July at the Greenwood Hotel in North Sydney! Alliance Française de Sydney is celebrating its 130th anniversary with a Bastille Day party full of French flair.
Experience a night of music, dancing and cultural celebration.


Bastille Festival Sydney

17 - 20 July | 10am - 11pm
Circular Quay

Out and about at the Bastille Festival to celebrate French wine, food and art? Come say "Bonjour!" where FANS will be spreading the word about the French bilingual program at KHPS and our amazing community.

Find our stand along Circular Quay near the Museum of Contemporary Art on the afternoon of Sunday 20 July.

Learn more: https://bastillefestival.com.au/sydney


FANS Family Fun Day

 

Save the date for the annual Family Fun Day, Saturday 23 August in the afternoon.

This relaxed event gathers families of all ages to enjoy time as a community.

There will be games, delicious food, and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy! 

More details to follow in Term 3, so be sure to keep an eye on the weekly Schoolzine Bulletins every Monday in the "FANS Events" section. 

French Market 2025 
Sunday 16 November
The countdown is on!


 Education

2026 Bilingual Program Enrolments Open

Enrolling with KHPS for Kindy 2026?

Parents can enrol their child in the Anglophone or Francophone stream of the French Bilingual Program on the FANS website.

Updated 2026 bilingual program fees are now available, as approved at the recent AGM.

 Enrol now


School Tour 

See the bilingual program in action and see what being part of the Killarney Heights community can offer your child.

Interested families are welcome to attend the upcoming KHPS school tour on Tuesday 29 July at 9:30am.


Term 3 Enrolments

Enrolments are now open for Term 3 after-school activities.

To enrol, please email FANS with your child's details and your date of preference. 

Enrol Now

Monday
3pm - 4pm
Anglophone L'Etude French Homework Club

Anglophone stream students in Year 3 to 6 are supervised in a small group setting by a Teacher of French as they complete their weekly French homework. Once their work is finished, students engage in French games and reading.

KHPS
Mondays,
3pm - 4pm
Tues & Wed
3pm - 5pm
Le Petit Sportif Bilingual Multi-sports Program

These fun and engaging bilingual multi-sports classes provide children with a supportive and dynamic environment led by bilingual sports coaches.

KHHS  Hall
Tuesday & Wednesday, 3pm - 5pm
Mon, Tues, Wed
High School Classes
After-school French 

Continue building your student's French skills through high school with our after-school classes in History, Current Affairs, and DELF Jr B1 & B2 exam preparation. 

Forestville Community Centre

In the Classroom - KHPS

 

Poetry Recitation Competition

Children worked hard this term to memorise and recite a French poem for the annual poetry recitation competition.

This competition is a school project organised with Camberwell Public School (CPS) as part of the AAFEBS network of bilingual schools. Students from all streams of KHPS participated in the competition.

Thank you to the organisers, congratulations to all the participants, and bravo to the winners!

Poetry Illustrations

Many children chose to illustrate their poem, with much talent and creativity on display in the school hall.  

Congratulations to the selected winning illustrations, and thanks to all students for submitting their beautiful artwork!

The winning illustrations can be seen in this short video

Term 3 - Rallye Lecture

Our next French competition will be open to Francophone stream students: the Rallye Lecture!

During this reading challenge, students will be encouraged to read as many books in French as they can from the selection available in their classroom. This competition helps students to increase their French reading, opens them to different genres, and builds their confidence with French books.

Details will be communicated via Schoolzine bulletins in Term 3.

In the Classroom - High School Students

After-school French classes at the Forestville Community Centre

Enrolments are ongoing for Term 3. Classes are held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after school.
Please consult the timetable for more details. 

To enrol, please email FANS with your child's details and your date of preference. 

DELF Exam Preparation Classes

Congratulations to the students who successfully sat the DELF in May! We look forward to distributing your results and certificates in early Term 3.

FANS has been leading DELF exam preparation classes for many years and offers several classes for the B1 and B2 DELF Junior exams, for Anglophone and Francophone stream students.

The DELF - Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française, is a diploma awarded by the French Ministry of Education, via France Education International. Exams are held twice a year, in either May or November, so students can prepare with a goal date in mind. 

This diploma is internationally recognised, is valid for life, and opens a vast array of opportunities to study and live in French-speaking countries around the world.  

        Learn more

       History Workshop

This exciting workshop focuses on introducing students to French history through conversation, films, documentaries, and current events.

In 2025, students are learning about the two World Wars, the Cold War and Decolonisation. 

Interested? Limited spots are available to join on a first-come, first-served basis. Please write admin@fanssydney.org to enrol now. 

Learn More

"L'Esprit Critique" Current Affairs Workshop

This class aims to develop students' critical thinking skills by discussing the world we live in, while studying news & current affairs.

Topics discussed adapt to current news and events, including geopolitics, the creation of the European Union, the place of France in the current Francophone world, the migration crisis in Europe, as well as past and current world conflicts, such as in the Middle East. 

Interested? Limited spots are available to join on a first-come, first-served basis. Please write admin@fanssydney.org to enrol now. 


Learn more


Keep in touch

If you have any questions, please contact the FANS office, located adjacent to the KHPS office on Tralee Avenue (blue gate).  
 
Email: info@fanssydney.org 
FANS Office: 02 9975 5038 
Information about the association, the bilingual program, after-school activities and high school classes can be found on our website: www.fanssydney.org 


 Focus

French Market 2025 - Sunday 16 November

Join the team for a day of fun and support the FANS bilingual program!

Mark your calendars for a special event that draws visitors from across Sydney and beyond!

The 19th edition of the FANS French Market will be held on Sunday 16 November on KHPS grounds. The French Market promises to be a fantastic day out for families, featuring fresh French food stalls, carnival rides, face painting, games, fairy floss, and delicious French treats like crepes and waffles.

Visitors can enjoy a unique shopping experience with around 60 professional vendors and delightful French music performances.

What started out as a humble school fete is now in its 19th edition and has become a highlight of the market scene in New South Wales. If you have never experienced it, check this out.

Major FANS Fundraiser

This major fundraiser is vital for the sustainability of the FANS bilingual program. While program fees cover teacher salaries, this event funds essential operational costs, recruitment efforts, and new educational resources for our children.

Calling all parent volunteers

While planning has already been kicked off by a small core group, we are looking for people to supplement the team which will bring this incredible event to our community.

The French Market Committee, composed entirely of busy working school parents like you, plans and runs this event by volunteering their own time. The more people involved, the lighter the workload and the more enjoyable the experience for everyone.

To make this team successful, a variety of skills are needed in music, logistics, decorating, gathering donations for the raffle, and more!

Whether you can volunteer for a few hours at a stall on the day, or assist with coordination efforts now, every bit of support makes a difference. 
Join our French Market 2025 WhatsApp group if you are keen to give some time, make new connections, and be part of something special!



With thanks to our

sponsor & cultural partners

DECATHLON

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Happy holidays everyone!
Bonnes vacances à tous!


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