The year got off to a flying start for the French Department when the school received notification from CCEA, the Examinations Board, that one of Mr Kearney's students, Patrick Geoffroy, had come first in N. Ireland in the GCSE French 2009 examinations. 

In October 2009, all Year 11 Languages pupils were given the opportunity to enter a competition run by the Belfast Telegraph and Belfast City Council. Pupils were asked to write a 300-word essay on the following question: 'If your Head of Languages were to organise an exchange trip to one European city, which would you choose and why?'  Pupils from all six Year 11 French classes submitted entries.  The standard was very high and many pupils, perhaps prompted by Derry's bid to be ‘City of Culture 2013', highlighted the cultural diversity of Derry, comparing it to other European cities. Unsurprisingly for pupils studying GCSE French, Paris was a favourite destination.  The French Department's winning essays were written by Stephen White (11K), Eoin O'Kane (11K), Aaron Conway (11C) and Andrew Coyle (11C).  They all won a trip to the Languages Fair in Belfast on 20 October.

On 4 November 2009, the members of the French debating team, Paul O'Kane (Captain), Mark Healy, Eamonn Arbuckle and Brian Scallon, debated the motion, ‘La télé apporte plus de bienfaits que d'inconvénients à notre société.' (‘Television creates more advantages than disadvantages for our society') against students from Limavady Grammar School.  St. Columb's was speaking against the motion. As captain, Paul O'Kane spoke first; he defined the key words of the motion and introduced the other members of the debating team who argued that there are more disadvantages to  television than advantages. The four members of the St. Columb's A Level French Debating Team were supported by classmates studying French in Years 13 and 14. The team members were commended for their speeches, but were, ultimately, unsuccessful in their bid to proceed to the second round of the competition, which was organised jointly by the University of Ulster and the Alliance Française.  

Over one hundred P7 pupils from local primary schools entered the French Department's quiz when they visited St. Columb's College during the Open Night on 26 January 2010.  The quiz was judged by pupils from 9A: John Bradley, Timothy Cullen, Odhran Doherty, Caolan Gormley, Daithi Keenan, Shay McGilloway, Tiarnan McShane and Dylan Quinn.  The prize winner was Jamie Mansfield from Oakgrove Integrated Primary School who answered all the questions correctly. Jamie said he would like to study French because ‘it is used internationally'.

After Christmas, all seven Year 8 French classes took part in the St Columb's College cross-curricular project on Doire Cholmcille. Pupils studying French were asked to design a brochure about Derry for French tourists visiting the city.  Dr Funnell announced the prize winners in the Year 8 Assembly on 2 March: Ronan McIvor and Daimin Campbell of 8B, Peter Gallagher and Dermot Ward of 8K and Jack Lafferty and Jimmy O'Neill, also of 8K.

On Friday 26 February 2010, Year 13 and Year 14 students attended French revision seminars on the AS and A2 CCEA French syllabuses at the University of Ulster, Coleraine with their teachers, Mr Prigent and Dr Funnell, and the school's French Assistant, Miss Morgane Taulou.  This was an excellent opportunity for pupils to practise their language skills, visit the university and talk to lecturers from the French Department.  The day began with guidance on how to succeed in the Speaking examination.  A presentation on grammar/translation errors frequently made by students in examinations was also given, followed by a seminar on the set text, La Symphonie pastorale for those studying A2 French.  The students all found the trip to Coleraine interesting and beneficial to their A Level studies. 

On 23 April Patrick Geoffroy's outstanding achievement in attaining the highest overall mark in CCEA's GCSE French 2009 examinations was recognised at an award ceremony in the CCEA Conference Hall at Clarendon Dock in Belfast.  Patrick attended the event with the Principal, Mr McGinty, and his GCSE French teacher, Mr Kearney, who described Patrick as ‘a dream pupil'. Patrick met other prize winners from across N. Ireland at the award ceremony, after which photographs to mark the occasion were taken. Patrick is currently working towards his AS French examinations and hopes to continue his French studies at university.

Seventy Year 9 pupils travelled to France on the annual French trip from 15 - 22 June 2010, organised by Mr Kearney.  There were seven other leaders: three from St. Columb's, Mr Prigent, Miss Hillick and Mr Stewart, and four parents of boys going on the trip.  Pupils spent three days in Normandy visiting historic landmarks and practising their French before travelling to Paris.  Highlights of the trip to the capital city included the Eiffel Tower, the Stade de France and Disneyland.

Throughout the year, Mr Kearney and Dr Funnell offered after school clinics on Mondays and Thursdays respectively to pupils in Key Stage 4 requiring extra support with their French studies.  Additional help during the school day was also offered to Year 12 pupils experiencing difficulty with their Speaking work.  This support was given by Miss Shanks, Mr Prigent and Dr Funnell.