The FANS French market will take place at Killarney Heights Public School in Sydney this Sunday. FANS is the French-speaking Association of the North Shore. This association runs the bilingual education programme at Killarney Heights Public School and this market helps raise funds to support this programme. With seventy stalls, the FANS French market is the biggest French market in Sydney! We talk to Clémence Duprat, President of FANS, about the FANS French Market.
General information about FANS and the community
Bonjour Clémence, could you tell us a little about FANS and its mission?
FANS is a not-for-profit organisation whose main mission is to promote the French language and culture in Sydney’s North Shore. The association has been in existence for 26 years and has run a bilingual education programme at KHPS for 25 years. Its mission is to provide a modern, quality bilingual education, with two streams for children who already speak French at home (francophone stream) and for students who are learning French as a new language (anglophone stream).
FANS also offers after-school classes for secondary school pupils. The association organises inclusive community events every year, including the French Market.
How has FANS evolved over the years and what role does it play in the North Shore community?
The association opened the bilingual programme in partnership with KHPS in 1999 with a single class of 22 pupils. Today FANS has 15 teachers, 582 students enrolled and 800 members.
From the outset, there was a desire to interest the Australian community by teaching French as a second language, as well as maintaining the bilingualism of children who were already bilingual when they started school.
Around this association and this programme, a very Francophone and Francophile environment has developed in Killarney Heights, with a French café, for example. According to the latest census, Killarney Heights has become the place in Australia where the most people speak French at home.
What are the main initiatives or programmes that FANS organises throughout the year to involve both Francophones and the wider community of Sydney’s North Shore?
The bilingual programme at Killarney Heights Public School (KHPS) offers a unique immersion in the French language. 85% of pupils are enrolled in the FANS bilingual programme, which has two streams: the francophone stream, for children who already speak French at home, and the anglophone stream, for those learning French as a new language.
Among the highlights of the year was the Fête de la Musique. Inspired by the French event, this community celebration, which celebrated its third edition this year, brings together musicians and guest artists for a variety of performances.
The French market, now in its 18th year, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the region. It’s a real showcase for French culture and language. It mobilises the whole school and is also an essential fundraiser for FANS.
All our community activities are in English to include non-French speakers but promote French-speaking cultures.
The French Market
This weekend, FANS is holding a French market. Can you tell us more about this event and what people can expect?
The event takes place on Sunday 17 November from 9am to 4pm at Killarney Heights Public School in Sydney’s north. It’s an event where we have around 300 volunteers working throughout the day. Some of them have been working for months behind the scenes to make this an unforgettable day for our visitors.
You’ll find around 70 stalls: French specialities such as raclette, croque-monsieur, saucisson, waffles and crêpes… but you’ll also be able to buy Christmas presents from exhibitors selling clothes, jewellery, homeware and decorative items – all inspired by French culture. It’s also a big party for the kids, with rides, inflatables, face-painting, and even traditional fairground games like tin can alley and the fishing game.
What inspired the idea of a French market and how has it developed since its inception? When was the first market held?
The market is now in its 18th year. It started out as a simple school fête on a Friday after school. It started as a way for French-speaking families to get together to celebrate the end of the year while promoting the French culture of this unique school in New South Wales. It has now become a full day of festivities, food, culture and sharing for the whole family.
What types of vendors and activities will be at the market this year? What are your highlights in terms of exhibitors and activities?
This year, in addition to the products mentioned above and the wonderful artisans, there will also be activities on offer such as parent/child wellbeing workshops, culinary workshops, pétanque demonstrations and sporting activities. There’s something for all the family.
How does the French Market help to promote French and Francophone culture in the region?
It’s a must-attend event in the region and helps to promote French culture in Australia. Buying second-hand books in French, buying French-brand clothing or jewellery while enjoying a music stage where French-speaking artists perform throughout the day… it’s like spending a little time in France without having to get on a plane!
What type of crowd does the market usually attract? French people? Francophiles or people associated with the school?
The visitors are very diverse: there’s obviously the local community, and families from the surrounding communes. But there are also Francophiles and Francophones, and simply curious visitors looking for original Christmas gifts. It’s a market for all ages and all types of public.
Impact and future
How does FANS ensure that events such as the French Market are open to Francophones and non-Francophones in the community?
It is essential that this event is inclusive and accessible to our entire community. Two of FANS’ core values are openness and sharing; our community is deeply multicultural, and we recognise and celebrate this diversity which enriches our experiences and strengthens cohesion. Everyone is welcome! Our volunteers are available to chat in English, and we are promoting widely on Sydney’s north shore, beyond the French and French-speaking networks to reach as many people as possible.
You organise at least 3 other events throughout the year. Tell us about them. How does FANS plan to strengthen the North Shore Francophone community?
Our events bring together our current and former members.
Former members: We have a very active community, as evidenced by the number of people who help out and participate in our events; families come even when their children have grown up and are no longer in the bilingual program. Their experiences with FANS create bonds and friendships that last for years.
New members: We always welcome new families to Sydney over coffee in January before school starts, and a welcome evening in the first term. We also have a parent on the FANS committee who is responsible for welcoming new members throughout the year.
What are your hopes for the future of the French market and FANS in general?
The FANS association celebrated 25 years of the programme this year. I hope that it will endure over time and continue to grow and bring the invaluable experience of bilingualism to the students at the school. They have the chance to evolve within an extraordinary multicultural community and to become curious and dynamic citizens of the world.
I hope that the French market will continue to evolve and bring a few new offerings each year to satisfy a very wide audience. The important thing is that visitors leave with a smile on their face, happy to have discovered a little corner of France in North Sydney.
How does the market help FANS to maintain or develop its programmes? Does the bilingual programme receive any government funding or is it managed solely by FANS fundraising?
FANS does not receive any government funding, neither Australian, nor French, nor local. We are a not-for-profit organisation.
The program fees, which we try to keep affordable for everyone, cover the salaries of our teachers, which is why fundraising is essential to pay for educational resources and the operational costs of running the association.
Is there a particular message you would like to share with people who might be interested in learning more about French culture or joining the FANS association?
FANS is an inclusive association that welcomes families from all over the world. Our common goal is the bilingual education of our children.
If you are interested in the bilingual programme or curious to find out more about the association, come and see us this Sunday at the French Market from 9am to 4pm at Killarney Heights Public School at our FANS stand. Alternatively, visit our website www.fanssydney.org and you can contact us by phone or e-mail. See you there!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Our French market will take place come rain or shine this Sunday. It’s a wonderful celebration of the French language and culture, as well as the diversity of our community. We’re very proud of it and hope to see many of you there!
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We thank Clémence for this interview and we wish FANS a successful market this Sunday.
KEY INFO FOR THE FANS FRENCH MARKET
WHAT: FANS French market
WHEN: this Sunday, 17 November, 9am to 4pm
WHERE: Killarney Heights Public School, SYDNEY
HOW: No need to purchase tickets or register beforehand. Just go!
Have you been to the FANS French Market before?
For more events with links to France and the Francophonie happening in Australia this month, check out our What’s on in November
