In Marseille, at the Gaston-Defferre college: “We are and will remain standing together”
Minute of silence charged with emotion and Marseillaise sung in chorus by all the students gathered in the courtyard with their teachers and administrative agents, the moment of tribute to Dominique Bernard took place at the beginning of the afternoon at the Gaston-Defferre college in Marseille, as everywhere In France. The rector of the Aix-Marseille academy, Bernard Beignier, visited this establishment on 7e district of Marseille to provide support to the entire educational community and speak to students. In a short speech, he drew a parallel with the assassination of Samuel Paty, three years earlier: “It is because these professors teach the depth of our country that they were targeted, died in what is for us the field of honor, each in their establishment. »
A few minutes earlier, Sylvain Fernandez-Malavieille, head of the establishment for five years, wanted to convey a message of hope and resistance: “The school of the Republic, so hated, so hated by terrorists, will recover as it has done each time. We are and will stand together”assured the principal, who, every year, for three years, has wanted to address his teachers to commemorate the assassination of Samuel Paty.
The teachers had gathered at 8 a.m. that morning. “Some had lost their voice. It was hard for them to speak. For me too “recognized Mr. Fernandez-Malavieille. “There is sometimes the appearance of a feeling of helplessness, but the energy of culture, of knowledge, allows us to fight to bring the values of the Republic to life” he assures.
The students were quickly invited to return to their classes after the ceremony, some appearing taken aback by the solemnity of the moment. “We did pretty much the same thing as three years agonotes Ulysse, a 3rd grade studente. It’s good. It’s still useful to mark the moment. »
Marie, an English teacher, was preparing to go deeper into things in her afternoon classes: “The most important message to send to students is to stick to the facts and understand what happened. Faced with images and comments, we must help them learn to form their own opinion. » “We now know that this can happen anywhere, at any time. But I don’t want to live in terrorcontinues the teacher. I will continue to do my job normally. »