Page 15 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • November 2004 15
School makes Euro connections The OF
Shaw's Brook Field School again welcomed teachers as part of the GORSE
European Union Comenius Project which aims to promote a broader Guitar HILL
outlook amongst children and teachers. School
Brook Field has been involved impressed by the quality of dis- 1 979 - 2004
with Comenius for five years and plays and the technology avail- www.theguitarschool.co.uk SPECIALISTS IN WEDDING HIRE
is now linked with a second group able in the classroom. Ilonio Suonio LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS SENIOR SCHOOL UNIFORM
of schools - currently in Belgium, said, "there is artwork in every AND ADVANCED STUDENTS KING SIZE MENSWEAR
Finland and Spain. corner, the exhibitions in the class- LEARNING IN A RELAXED AND IN-HOUSE ALTERATION/
Headteacher Roger Nicholas rooms and around the school are AND FUN ENVIRONMENT TAILORING DEPARTMENT
said teachers from the schools had beautiful." Shirt Sale: 3 for 2
met up in different countries to Jan Luyten, headteacher of "ROCK SCHOOL" Buy Now for Christmas
compare and discuss work and to Lebbeke School, outside Brussels, EXAM PLACES AVAILABLE 124 Cricklade Road
study classroom techniques. Each said the education content was TEL: 01793 539372 Gorse Hill, Swindon
school has created boxes of re- similar, but the way teaching is (24HR ANSWER PHONE) Tel:642211
sources containing games, songs, organised is different. "We have a e mail: theguitarschool Open: 9am - 5.30pm
pictures and food so that classes in more traditional approach. The @vichillswindon.freeserve.co.uk Wed&Sat9am-5pm
partner schools can sample life in children here express themselves
another country. very well and the work of each
Children also have a big part to class is shared in assemblies a lot
play in the exchanges with books more. We are impressed by all the A
of written and art work circulated computers in the schools and also
to each school, plus guides describ- the computer linked white boards
ing their home towns complete used by the teachers for instruc- an education for Iif
with tourist information and pho- tion.
tographs about school life, culture, "At Brook Field we see teaching Whatever your child wants to achieve in life,
sport and leisure. They exchange and learning which brings together a solid foundation in and
e-mails and keep school diaries, the head, the heart and the hand. is essential. With the year-round Kumon
"The benefits of these exchanges Our system means that we are still programmes, children develop confidence,
are enormous," said Mr Nicholas. trying to put all these things into discipline and study skills that last them a lifetime.
The children get a first hand expe- action; our visit to England is in- Kumon West Swindon Centre
rience of life beyond their own valuable in learning these meth- Lydiard Millicent Parish Hall
town by presenting their work and ods." Call Richard Bell on 01285 711170
talking to teachers from other coun- All the teachers were enthusias- Centre open 4.00pm to 6.00pm
tries and discovering more about tic about the Comenius contact. Mondays and Thursdays
children elsewhere. The scheme is "We have so much to learn by For a'.most 50 years, thence, around the world have benefited cone studying the Kumon
maths and language prog-a tines. 45.000 children of all ages ant abilities are currently
also very important for the profes- working together across Europe," enrolled at study cenves throughou*. the UK.
sional development of staff. said Chris De Vos. "You don't lose
The visiting teachers were very your culture; we are all enriched."

r
With Jon Stowe s Year 6 class at Brook Field, from Belgium Jan Luyten, Curis
e
De Vos, Ezty Callaert. From Finland Ilona Suonio, Pair i Rimplainen. From
Spain Custodio Allende and Isabel Ougulera
Le Club Francais pour les grands et les petits
Children as young as three are learning French and enjoying every
moment of it through Le Club Francais.
Anna-Kate Fuller will be launching new clubs in schools and leisure
centres in Swindon in the New Year. She said, "learning French at a
young age is all about having fun, whilst giving children confidence
and enthusiasm for the language. Young children are less inhibited
about reproducing foreign sounds and are like sponges absorbing a
new language almost as easily as learning their mother tongue."
Anna-Kate will also be starting Le Club Francais pour les Grands
aimed at making language learning a relaxing and enjoyable hobby.
Both day-time and evening courses are planned.
For details call Anna-Kate on 01285 740196 or mail:
[email protected]