Analyzing and comparing cat hair and human hair with the science teacher; rescuing France fallen into the hands of revolutionaries through Morse codes to decrypt and then transcribe by the English and Spanish teachers. The teachers at Dagueys College are fully mobilized in organizing the 2nd edition of the Civic Rally: a dynamic course combining sports challenges, reflection workshops, and meetings with professionals.
On the agenda for the day: rowing with the rowing club, balancing course with the municipal police, laser shooting with the PSIG of the gendarmerie, as well as analyzing a crime scene with the Criminal Identification Technicians (TIC). This civic rally took place two days after the 5th edition of the Army and Security Trades Forum.
This ambitious initiative mobilized all 4th grade students, as well as the Global Defense and Security class (4th5), created last year within the establishment and sponsored since by the Regiment of Instruction and Intervention of the Civil Security of Libourne (4th RIISC). The Defense Class is not intended to train future military personnel. The objective is primarily civic: to enable students to better understand institutions, their missions, their functioning, and above all the men and women who embody them. “And it works,” confirms head teacher Pascale Cortès, the originator of the project. “Through encounters, the perspective of young people evolves. They discover paths, values, commitments. Sometimes they become attached to a specific speaker, making these exchanges deeply human and impactful. Far from stereotypes, they learn to see the people behind the uniform.”
The 4th RIISC presented its various units and departments. “It is important for us to participate in these actions and to make ourselves known to the people of Libourne,” summed up Major Mathieu. He was pleased with the creation of a defense class, “with which we participate in a sports session every month.” The RIISC also plans a visit to the regiment by the end of the year.
In the gymnasium, a forum brought together several units, allowing for free and interactive discovery. Other workshops took place in rooms, including a mini-museum dedicated to World War I (Comité du Souvenir Français de Libourne), an introduction to target shooting offered by the Libourne shooting club, and a presentation of the equestrian training center of the Equestrian Guard of Saint-Ciers-d’Abzac.
The day was also punctuated by several demonstrations: municipal police, PSIG dog handler, and equestrian guard school, offering students a concrete immersion in the diversity of security professions. The Defense Class also stood out during this day with interview work conducted with professionals in very specific occupations. Some meetings took place in person, others remotely, such as the particularly appreciated exchange with the 27th BCA, alpine hunters based in Annecy, via video conference.
This availability, even over long distances, reflects the real interest in the project and the constant commitment of these units to young people. In total, 23 structures and 84 external interveners met with students, confirming the strength and credibility of the program. Some partners do not hesitate to travel long distances to participate: the 1st RIMa, faithful since the first edition, responds every year, as does the 515th regiment.
The Association of Army Painters and the personnel of the Blayais Nuclear Power Station are also among the committed actors who willingly travel to share their passion and expertise with us. The Defense Class also benefits from the support of the wine industry, a major player in the local economy. Two great classified growths of Saint-Émilion, Grand Corbin-Despagne and Château Guadet, offered various donations and gifts. “The establishment warmly thanks Messrs. Despagne and Lignac for their generosity and commitment to the young people.”
These two days were coordinated by Pascale Cortès, physical education teacher, with the support of deputy head Assouane Jamaït and the entire teaching and educational team, heavily involved in this project.
Participated: Libourne Shooting Sports Association; 4th RIISC; Firefighters 33; Lifeguard; PSIG; Departmental Gendarme; Departmental Squadron for Flow Control (EDCF 33); National Police; Municipal Police; 1st RIMa; 515th Train Regiment; French Souvenir Committee of Libourne; Association of Army Painters; Nuclear Power Station Security Engineer Blayais; Navy; Equestrian Guard School, Training Center in Saint-Ciers-d’Abzac; Criminal Identification Technicians of the Gironde Unit; Association of Auditors IHEDN Aquitaine; Libourne Rowing Club; Volunteer Firefighters; “Shock us!” Association (Students in Health); 27th BCA, Annecy.
