Hacton Primary School Week of Language & Culture, 19-23 May 2008
Scott's Primary School
In April, we were very lucky to have Miss Rodriguez working with us at Scotts Primary School.
Miss Rodriguez is Spanish and lives in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. She teaches English and other subjects at a primary school in the north-west of the island.
She stayed with us for two weeks and during that time, the children had the chance to learn some Spanish, as well as the French they are already learning. They joined in with Spanish songs and dances and listened as Miss Rodriguez read the Spanish versions of several well-known stories. It was wonderful to see them applying the skills they have acquired in their French lessons, in order to understand another language.
The children in Y4 also wrote letters to the pupils at Tamaimo school, so that we could start a pen-pal link. They were very excited when we recently received a big parcel of letters and photos from Tenerife and are looking forward to writing their replies.
It was a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to learn first–hand about life in another country and to hear Spanish spoken by a native speaker. I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of organising something similar at their school.
Jackie Boardman, Scott's Primary School.
The theme of Hactons Week of Language and Culture this year was Africa when as well as celebrating the culture and traditions of Africa we wanted to help the children understand that each of us can make a difference in the lives of people who are not so fortunate as ourselves.
We invited an Ambassador from the Send a Cow charity to explain to the children how providing livestock to a community can have far reaching consequences. The children were invited to collect 10p pieces and we were able to buy a cow and a sheep.
We also had a visit from a teacher who has just returned from two years VSO in Malawi and she taught the children playground games, how to make a football from newspaper and string and how to tie a baby securely on your back!
Children also learned about the work of Wateraid.
There were art workshops looking at the different fabrics from Africa and then dying materials. The children made a variety of masks as well as shields and spears.
Mint tea and couscous was served in a Moroccan souk and The Krazy Kat Theatre Company gave a performance of Clownderella in British Sign Language.
We had a singing workshop from Asha Drum where the children learned some simple songs and the highlight of the week and indeed of all our previous weeks of Language and Culture were the Mighty Zulu Nation. They gave two performances of dance and drama and gave workshops throughout the day. They were unbelievableno-one wanted them to finish and no-one wanted to go home! What a finale.
The Singing Children of Africa
We were lucky enough to be able to welcome the Singing Children of Africa who are on a tour of the UK and the USA to raise money for their orphanage and school in Kenya.
They spent some time in class with our children and then gave an inspirational concert to the school during the afternoon. They then sang to parents in the playground after school and stayed on to play football on the field!
It was a privilege to be able to host these 24 children for the day and we look forward to welcoming them again next year.
