We are the people...Comenius visit to Cookridge

 'We are the people we have been waiting for...' Comenius project
This Thursday and Friday (22nd and 23rd November) sees the visit of 18 staff from our Comenius partner schools in Finland, Ireland, Slovakia and Birmingham.We have a full schedule for our European friends to give them a taste of what we are about at Cookridge Primary School, what it is like to live in Leeds and Yorkshire. All staff in school have done an amazing job at making it happen. The schedule includes-

• opportunity for every child in school in meet the visitors (Reception children will do the greeting when they first arrive)
• sharing of current and past initiatives in school by leaders in school
• children finding out more about their schools and countries (classes will ask questions and our International School Council will be joined by children from Ireland Wood and Iveson to interview them). The questions will have an environmental focus in keeping with the project.
• groups of children performing on Thursday during the 'International Afternoon'
• Cookridge staff will meet up with our visitors after school to discuss the Comenius project and meet socially

If your child is involved in the Thursday afternoon event, then we hope that you will be able to join us. The event will take place from 2pm in the hall. Thank you to the parents who are helping out planning/helping out at the event and to my own daughter, Moya who has given up her own time to work with children on the street dance.   It's going to be an exciting few days in school...

A song from Ireland

Ireland 2012

Please have a look at our photographs from our visit to Swinford National School, County Mayo, Ireland. The visit was a great success- the children were fantastic, a real credit to Cookridge Primary School- teachers, parents and carers should be very proud.
We cannot put into words how we were welcomed and treated. A huge thank you to all who helped us(great driving from Ronan) and Kevin, Maisie, all staff and children at Swinford National School.We hope one day you will be able to visit us so we can give back some of the brilliant hospitality we received.
Mrs Speak is already missing hot chocolate and  sitting around the peat (turf) fire each night. Our house was so comfy (thanks Moira) and Mrs Hawkins was such a brilliant packed lunch maker- x14!!!! Mr Gamble, there is no mention of custard, but the children did enjoy the DS games you took just a little too seriously!!!
We all have so many memories from the 4 days away- definitely one of the highlights of my teaching career to date. Thanks to you all- where to next?
 

Visit to Ireland October 2012

Beautiful scenery

Football on the beach

Westport and shopping

Having a go at weaving

First day at school feeling!

Working together in class

Bowling Alley

Breakfast in our house!

Liam dressing in traditional clothes at the Museum of Country Life

Weary travellers

Visitors and visiting....

Yesterday we had three teacher trainees from the north of Sweden at Cookridge. They have seen the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) so many times-unbelievable.
Having visitors is always a great opportunity for our children to 'show off' about all the wonderful things about Cookridge Primary School! They spent the morning with Class 5 and Miss Carroll and the afternoon with Mr Maldonado's class.  Our visitors were entertained by some representatives of our International School Council at lunchtime, who shared many a story about our adventures into the international dimension over the years.  How many of you can remember teacher Juan (from our partner school in Mexico) doing the amazing hat dance as part of our Mexican fiesta?  Can any of you remember the story of the Norwegian fox who entered the teacher's house and stole a red jumper and is probably wearing it to this day? For me the best was when we had the Education minister from Kwazulu Natal visit us from South Africa and a child, on meeting him stood up, shook his hand and said "Welcome, President" We certainly do bring the world to Cookridge Primary School!
 
Thursday brings the opportunity for 11 of our pupils to go out into the world and visit our partner school in Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland. If you happen to be around school at 7.45am on Thursday, then you are most welcome to wave us off!

Our Comenius project

We are the people we have been waiting for.... is  the name of our Comenius project.

Now in the second year, we are working with schools in Ireland, Slovakia, Finland and with our UK partner, Jervoise Primary School in Birmingham. Funding comes from the EU and our project centres on Making A Difference at a local and European level and is linked to addressing environmental issues.
Last week, we had 3 members of staff Mr El Sayed, Mrs Riley and Mrs Whitwam return from a very successful project meeting in Vaasa, Finland. The trio have returned to school with lots of ideas for developing our Comenius work, especially around  Seagullsreuse (see blog: making a difference with paint), great ideas about teaching seen in Finland and many treasured memories. Our Finnish colleagues were the most amazing hosts (Thank you Hanna and the team) and we have already started getting our heads together to plan for November when we host a visit from all our partners! We will be calling on the whole Cookridge community to help.
Also as part of this Comenius project, we have some very excited children in school! It is now only a matter of a few weeks until 11 Year 5 pupils jet off to visit our Comenius partner school in Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland.  This incredible opportunity will take our international work to another level- children working with other children face to face with their international partners! Let's hope this will just be the beginning...Mrs Speak

Time to celebrate our achievements!

Two international awards gained in a week!

We should all be feeling very proud of our international achievements this week! I am delighted to inform you that we have been re accredited with the full International School Award. This has been awarded for the next 3 years and demonstrates our commitment to international work from our amazing international themed events such as international Cookridge week, international themes in our curriculum,  to our recognised international school partnerships. I would like to personally thank each and every one you ; parents, children and staff. This is an award that cannot be achieved without full school support- THANKS! 
Shukran!
Gracias!

Go raibh mile maith agaibh!

 look out for the logo!

eTwinning is a platform for children to work on collaborative projects across Europe- they can be as short or as long as we want them to be and can be around any subject, involve a small group of children, whole class or whole school. They give children a real audience to share their work with as well as motivating, improving key skills and cultural awareness. Of course because it is an e-platform ICT features heavily too!

 

Mr El Sayed and Senorita Castro worked with our Second Language Learners (EAL) last term with a school in Spain to develop writing in English and Spanish (the children in Spain native Catalan speakers were learning Spanish). We were amazed by the results and I know the children loved receiving letters from their friends in Spain.

The second award we received was the eTwinning Quality Label for a project some of the current Year 5s took part in last term with Mrs Smith (now at Rainville Primary School)

 Do you want to hear a story? with partner schools in Poland and Turkey. The children developed their reading skills, filming themselves reading and sharing the wonderful new guided reading books in school. There was a lot of self and group evaluation to ensure there reading was spot on! Well done boys and girls. The project has been entered into the eTwinning national awards in June, so fingers crossed! All the best, Mrs Speak

Can you spot the plaque in the entrance to school?