Page 10 - link magazine

1 0 The Link Magazine • May 2003
Dihiabeng head visits Peatmoor to exchange ideas
The April Link reported on the visit by teachers and governors from Peatmoor School to a partner primary school in the remote mountains
in the north of South Africa. During April, Margaret Grant, headteacher of Dihlabeng Christian School, spent two weeks in Swindon
deepening the relationship by working with Peatmoor teachers and children.
Dihlabenghasgrownfromfewer "Our school caters mainly for the educational resources they about life in both countries and
than 10 children meeting in local Basotho children who have have brought with them on their classes have been sending work-
Margaret's garage to the current missed out on schooling and also visits has been wonderful." books including letters and photos.
fifty on roll in three classrooms in white children," said Margaret. Using a computer donated by During her visit to Peatmoor
a former farmhouse. After Easter "This year we've started to attract Peatmoor, children at both schools Margaret said she had focussed on
two new classrooms built with children from Afrikaans families have been exchanging e-mails teaching techniques as well as
money raised at Peatmoor School who enjoy the wide —. _ school administration and man-
will be ready. ranging curriculum agement. "There is such a generos-
Margaret explained that the two we offer which em- z ity of spirit to share ideas and will-
schools have had links for over phasises art, dance V ingness to help; at first I couldn't
two years through visits by and music within an 7 = r " understand why they wanted to
Peatmoor teachers and the identifiable Chris- link with us. The children are so
headteacher Terri Peacock. tian ethos. interested in Dihlabeng and the
-- "The support by teacher visits have helped our chil-
U ' Peatmoor children, t dren broaden their horizons.
can grow and con-
"I think
teachers and par-
lt ents has been so ^ time to learn together.
generous. The Left, Margaret looking at work with
money raised has a Peatmoor children, sitting, Catherine
There are some made a major con- • ► ' h' Prothero, Charlie Price. Standing,
tribution to our from left Gary McKenna, Emily Bul-
great reSOUrCec school's growth and lock, Nathan Barclay, Mae McHugh
on the Internet.
Putting Swindon People First in Japan
But do you know
The March Link featured a photograph of members of Swindon People First, a self advocacy group run
where they are? by and for adults with learning disabilities, before they departed for a conference in Japan. Coodinator
Elaine Turner from Abbey Meads describes the trip.
We do! Three members from Swindon a national Japanese conference in efforts of those promoting it.
People First and three supporters early March. We also participated in work-
www.uklinks4.com travelled to Tokyo to share experi- Gary Bourlet, director, vice chair shops with the different self-advo-
ences of self advocacy in the UK at Wendy Rowsell and SPF worker cacy groups based in Tokyo. This
Gordon McBride were invited to was a fun exchange of information
make the visit after meeting a Japa- with interest in all aspects of Eng-
Is your PC bugging you? nese university lecturer who had lish life, especially how to make a
been researching self advocacy good cup of tea.
Call Practical Applications Ltd. for a friendly service here over the past three years. They The trip was a resounding suc-
• Upgrades • Repairs 0 Networking & the internet
where supported by Sharon Pygott cess, the people with learning dis-
• Web hosting and design Home visits, collection & delivery
and SPF trustee and University of abilities in Japan learnt a lot about
Or just help on getting you started, call us days, evenings or the West of England lecturer Neil how things could change and how
weekends on 01793 321361 Mobile 07919 263072 Summers. they could become more independ-
E-mail: allenG?practical applications.co.uk www.practicalapplications.co.uk

, /^

:q
,.l Tel: SWINDON (01793) 100105
With 230 bikes on show Parts and accessories
THE choice is great Repairs workshop Members of Swindon People First with members of Japanese self-help groups
Open: Mon to Sat
THE price is right gam to 5.30pm and students from Tokyo University
THE forecourt parking is free Closed Sundays Gary, a national figure in self- ent. The Tokyo University students
advocacy in the UK, made some also gained knowledge about how
strong points about how the lives self advocacy can be developed so
of people with learning disabili- that people with learning difficul-
sal' + ties have changed. People here now ties are supported to take control
EElM^1^^E -
i^ ^ have far more control over their of their own lives.
lives and are able to make choices We now hope that our interna-
I ^sF for themselves. With support from tional links can grow and an ex-
Direct Payments people with learn- change programme be set up.
ing disabilities are also able to live For more information about this
independently. work, contact Elaine Turner, SPF,
60a Beechcroft Road (ex car showroom) Self-advocacy in Japan is still Health Hydro, Milton Rd, Swin-
developing and it was beneficial don, tel: 465651 or mail:
Between Stratton Crossroads and Kingsdown
to exchange ideas and to boost the [email protected]