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Thursday, 19 April 2012
Poland – Swidnik 7-10 June 2011
Our recent Comenius trip to Poland has brought back further knowledge and understanding about Polish Culture and Education which we will incorporate into the children’s learning in the Autumn Term 2011.
Our travels took us to our partner school in Swidnik, Szkola Bez Przemocy, which is approximately a 20 minute bus journey from the main City of Lublin. Lublin being approx. 200km south east of Warsaw.
Some background…Swidnik.
Swidnik has a population of approx. 40,000 people. It’s main production being the manufacture of helicopters and components for the aeronautical industry. Some teachers, who currently work at the school remember when a great number people from Swidnik worked at the factories. Their production being at it’s height during WW1 and WW11. Over the course of time, the industry has naturally diminished, but lately Swidnik is experiencing a resurgence and interest in its local economy as they are set to benefit from the opening of a new International Airport, not far from its town centre. This will bring more work opportunities to the local population as well as enhancing and making easier international travel links for business.
Our Partner School –Szkola Bez Przemocy- Janusz Kusocinski
There are currently 384 pupils in the primary section of this large school. There is also a secondary school linked to the primary school building, and it has a total of 411 pupils.
The Primary Curricula- Focussed upon 0 Grade Class ages 5-6 years.
In the Primary School, children may start school at 6 years of age, but this is not yet compulsory. Children may remain at a pre-school setting up until then, or they can join a pre-primary class ( 0 Grade) which is attached to the Primary School for 5-6 year olds.
In either case, the Polish Education System regards this time for children as a ‘general’ development stage, before commencing more formal education at the age of 7 years.
When we visited the 0 grade class, the children worked on developing their fine motor and gross motor skills, letter formations, learning the Polish alphabet and counting numbers up to 10. They did not start writing any sentences of phrases until they were in the Grade 1 class.
From the age of 7-13 years, children commence formal learning and assessments for a period of 6 years, before transferring into secondary school, which is linked to the building.
The School Day- A Typical Day for a 0 Grade Class 5- 6 years.
School begins 8:00 am – 8:30 with an English Lesson
8:30-9:30 am Free time to play with toys, puzzles etc..
9:30-10:00 am Break for snack or sandwich ( & if weather is good…..)
10:00-12:00 am Play outdoors/ If not good, lessons connected to exploratory
experiences and fine motor development
12:00-12:15pm Dinner time
12:15-1:00 pm Free activities or PE Lessons eg swimming
1:00pm – Home time or after school clubs until 5-6pm
On speaking to the Deputy Head of the Primary School, the current Education System allows parents with children of 6 years of age, to have a choice of three entry levels.
1. To keep their child at a pre-school or kindergarten until they are 6 years of age.(Informal)
2. To place their child in a 0 Grade class at 5-6 years of age, in a primary school. (Informal).
3. To place their child in a Grade 1 class with 6-7 years of age (more formal learning at age 7 years).
This was a very interesting insight into the choices parents could have for their child/ren in Poland.
The School Year
The school year is divided into two semesters, from September to June, with two weeks holiday at winter time. This did not include additional Public Holidays eg for Easter.
What we would like to integrate into the School/Class One
From the discussions and observations we made of the 0Grade class, we felt as a staff, the emphasis the Polish system placed on developing fine motor skills across a range of activities would be very beneficial for the younger members of our school. A daily session of approximately 15 minutes in the afternoon ( ie straight after lunch) . They also concentrated a lot on letter formation and handwriting, which we would like to enhance across the whole school as part of our School Development Plan for September 2011-12. Our partner school has provided us with some ideas in order to develop fine motor skills and control for which we are very grateful.
Our travels took us to our partner school in Swidnik, Szkola Bez Przemocy, which is approximately a 20 minute bus journey from the main City of Lublin. Lublin being approx. 200km south east of Warsaw.
Some background…Swidnik.
Swidnik has a population of approx. 40,000 people. It’s main production being the manufacture of helicopters and components for the aeronautical industry. Some teachers, who currently work at the school remember when a great number people from Swidnik worked at the factories. Their production being at it’s height during WW1 and WW11. Over the course of time, the industry has naturally diminished, but lately Swidnik is experiencing a resurgence and interest in its local economy as they are set to benefit from the opening of a new International Airport, not far from its town centre. This will bring more work opportunities to the local population as well as enhancing and making easier international travel links for business.
Our Partner School –Szkola Bez Przemocy- Janusz Kusocinski
There are currently 384 pupils in the primary section of this large school. There is also a secondary school linked to the primary school building, and it has a total of 411 pupils.
The Primary Curricula- Focussed upon 0 Grade Class ages 5-6 years.
In the Primary School, children may start school at 6 years of age, but this is not yet compulsory. Children may remain at a pre-school setting up until then, or they can join a pre-primary class ( 0 Grade) which is attached to the Primary School for 5-6 year olds.
In either case, the Polish Education System regards this time for children as a ‘general’ development stage, before commencing more formal education at the age of 7 years.
When we visited the 0 grade class, the children worked on developing their fine motor and gross motor skills, letter formations, learning the Polish alphabet and counting numbers up to 10. They did not start writing any sentences of phrases until they were in the Grade 1 class.
From the age of 7-13 years, children commence formal learning and assessments for a period of 6 years, before transferring into secondary school, which is linked to the building.
The School Day- A Typical Day for a 0 Grade Class 5- 6 years.
School begins 8:00 am – 8:30 with an English Lesson
8:30-9:30 am Free time to play with toys, puzzles etc..
9:30-10:00 am Break for snack or sandwich ( & if weather is good…..)
10:00-12:00 am Play outdoors/ If not good, lessons connected to exploratory
experiences and fine motor development
12:00-12:15pm Dinner time
12:15-1:00 pm Free activities or PE Lessons eg swimming
1:00pm – Home time or after school clubs until 5-6pm
On speaking to the Deputy Head of the Primary School, the current Education System allows parents with children of 6 years of age, to have a choice of three entry levels.
1. To keep their child at a pre-school or kindergarten until they are 6 years of age.(Informal)
2. To place their child in a 0 Grade class at 5-6 years of age, in a primary school. (Informal).
3. To place their child in a Grade 1 class with 6-7 years of age (more formal learning at age 7 years).
This was a very interesting insight into the choices parents could have for their child/ren in Poland.
The School Year
The school year is divided into two semesters, from September to June, with two weeks holiday at winter time. This did not include additional Public Holidays eg for Easter.
What we would like to integrate into the School/Class One
From the discussions and observations we made of the 0Grade class, we felt as a staff, the emphasis the Polish system placed on developing fine motor skills across a range of activities would be very beneficial for the younger members of our school. A daily session of approximately 15 minutes in the afternoon ( ie straight after lunch) . They also concentrated a lot on letter formation and handwriting, which we would like to enhance across the whole school as part of our School Development Plan for September 2011-12. Our partner school has provided us with some ideas in order to develop fine motor skills and control for which we are very grateful.
Class One
We will be learning about ‘Ourselves’ and ‘People from around the World’ in the Autumn Term, and so we propose to learn not only about ourselves, but children from Poland. We will be skyping and writing to each other in order to find out and ask questions about their day, hobbies etc.
Alongside this we will have a Polish week/days where we will learn some Polish- counting up to 10 and some Greetings. We will also play some Polish Sports activities, which Mrs Hedley and Miss Barratt had the benefit of learning and taking part in!! and they are sure the children will enjoy them as much as they did. We will bake some Polish Cakes and Bakes and invite you, as parents to come and enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee. More information regarding dates and times will be given out at the beginning of next term. So please watch this space…..
We will be learning about ‘Ourselves’ and ‘People from around the World’ in the Autumn Term, and so we propose to learn not only about ourselves, but children from Poland. We will be skyping and writing to each other in order to find out and ask questions about their day, hobbies etc.
Alongside this we will have a Polish week/days where we will learn some Polish- counting up to 10 and some Greetings. We will also play some Polish Sports activities, which Mrs Hedley and Miss Barratt had the benefit of learning and taking part in!! and they are sure the children will enjoy them as much as they did. We will bake some Polish Cakes and Bakes and invite you, as parents to come and enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee. More information regarding dates and times will be given out at the beginning of next term. So please watch this space…..
Final Note— An Iclandic Update!
This term, we have seen some lovely work produced by the children, by combining their knowledge about Iceland with the Isle of Struay (Isle of Coll). Children have learnt about plants and animals in both localities and they would very much like you invite you for about an hour of your time on Friday 15th July from 2-3pm to have a look at some of the things they have been doing and making. They would also like to give you a small presentation in the School Hall. Afterwards, they would like to serve you some Traditional Icelandic Pancakes, with chocolate sauce and cream, Teas and Coffees (Tempted??) We hope so! And weather permitting to demonstrate an Old Viking Game on the school field or yard. You are of course welcome to join in and have a go yourselves. We all look forward to seeing there……
Children are welcome to come to school in non- uniform that day, as they do not wear uniforms in Iceland or Poland.
Once again, Mrs Hedley and I would like to extend our sincere thanks for all your support this last year. It has been a busy, but very rewarding one. Teaching your children and watching them progress has been absolutely wonderful. We both wish you all a very good summer.
This term, we have seen some lovely work produced by the children, by combining their knowledge about Iceland with the Isle of Struay (Isle of Coll). Children have learnt about plants and animals in both localities and they would very much like you invite you for about an hour of your time on Friday 15th July from 2-3pm to have a look at some of the things they have been doing and making. They would also like to give you a small presentation in the School Hall. Afterwards, they would like to serve you some Traditional Icelandic Pancakes, with chocolate sauce and cream, Teas and Coffees (Tempted??) We hope so! And weather permitting to demonstrate an Old Viking Game on the school field or yard. You are of course welcome to join in and have a go yourselves. We all look forward to seeing there……
Children are welcome to come to school in non- uniform that day, as they do not wear uniforms in Iceland or Poland.
Once again, Mrs Hedley and I would like to extend our sincere thanks for all your support this last year. It has been a busy, but very rewarding one. Teaching your children and watching them progress has been absolutely wonderful. We both wish you all a very good summer.
With kind regards, Sue Scaife and Dorothy Hedley
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Comenius Blog Norway
Comenius Blog Norway
Tuesday 27th September 2011
After a long day of travelling, we, and our English counterparts, weregreeted by our Norwegian friends and whisked away to the modernComfort Hotel. There was no time topowder our noses as we were awaited by ourComenius friends from Poland, Iceland andNorway at the local restaurant,Hjørnevikbua for a delicious welcome dinner.It was so wonderful to meet and chat witheveryone. It seemed like only yesterdaythat we had last met together. After anexhausting but exciting day, we went back tothe comfort of our hotel beds for a welldeserved good nights rest before the nextday’s adventures.
Wednesday 28th September
Leif Bjarte and Sissel kindly picked us up from the hotel at 8am and delivered us to Torvmyrane Skule where we were then separated into groups and given a guided tour of the school by a group of children who wowed us with their mature attitudes and excellent English. Following this we met at the Fugleberget (bird mountain) to hear about Torvmyrane Skule’s excellent work in developing the pupils’ social skills and also watched a film which tracked the day of two children in Norway. During the school break, we were given an excellent opportunity to watch the children dancing as part of their ‘spreking.’ Back at Bird Mountain, we were given an inspirational introduction to the work of Torvmyrane and James Nottingham in the creation of a whole school vision which impacts everything and everyone in the school.
Leif Bjarte and Sissel kindly picked us up from the hotel at 8am and delivered us to Torvmyrane Skule where we were then separated into groups and given a guided tour of the school by a group of children who wowed us with their mature attitudes and excellent English. Following this we met at the Fugleberget (bird mountain) to hear about Torvmyrane Skule’s excellent work in developing the pupils’ social skills and also watched a film which tracked the day of two children in Norway. During the school break, we were given an excellent opportunity to watch the children dancing as part of their ‘spreking.’ Back at Bird Mountain, we were given an inspirational introduction to the work of Torvmyrane and James Nottingham in the creation of a whole school vision which impacts everything and everyone in the school.
Following a delicious lunch, it was time to put on our walking shoes and rain coats for our afternoon boat ride to Svanøy. We visited a fish farm, and then a deer farm. Evening activities included axe throwing, archery and hammering nails into logs. Go Wales!!! We were definitely the BEST! We dined at a very special historical building called Svanøy Hovedgård. What an experience! We were served a sumptuous meal of fish soup, deer and panna cotta. This was followed by an eerie but fascinating tour of the building. 
Thursday 29th September 2011
We were met again at 8am by Leif Bjarte and Sissle, dress
ed for the weather as we were to spend time outdoors. They kindly transported us to school where we spent the first hour enjoying lessons with classes of particular interest to us. Following this, whilst the Comenius leaders met, we joined the three and four year olds on a trip up the mountain to their base camps. We were truly privileged to have this experience. We watched as the children dressed themselves in their outdoor gear and put on their backpacks. Off we go! The children excitedly made their way up the mountain with us staggering behind them!
Once at base camp, the children enjoyed a range of activities including climbing trees, digging, making slides, playing on tree swings etc… The Nursery teacher then lit an open campfire and cooked popcorn for us all to enjoy. What an awesome sight!!! We were speechless – and still are!
Following a yummy lunch of lasagne we either chose to have some time to ourselves or take a boat ride with Leif Bjarte to harvest crabs for the evening’s dinner. The dinner was held at the Coast Museum and was kindly prepared by the school’s staff. Lots of us learnt how to EXTRACT crab meat from its shell. Again, there’s a first time for everything! The evening was completed by the beautiful voices of Heather and Knut, amongst others as we sang and enjoyed the last evening of each others company for this special visit.Friday 30th September 2011
Early to rise – we left the beautiful town of Florø by ferry at 8:35am for our homes in Wales. We are so grateful for the hospitality and kindness shown to us, yet again by our friends in Norway. We are really excited to return to school to try out some of the exciting ideas for the benefit of us all in Alderman Davies CiW Primary School.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Thursday, 3 November 2011
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