Page 36 - link magazine

36 The Link Magazine • August 2006 Place your free classitieas
South African visitors strengthen links with Peatmoor primary
Building on an extremely successful partnership, staff and pupils from Dihiabeng School in the Clarens district of South Africa visited
Peatmoor Primary School for a week of shared activities based on the theme of traditional cultures in late June.
Dihlabeng headteacher, Marg- homes of Peatmoor children and
aret Grant was accompanied by in school talked to each class about
two members of staff and two chil- their culture and offered Peatmoor
dren. children the chance to try maize
The youngsters stayed in the porridge which is a staple food in
South Africa.
Basotho pupil, Thandi Mashin-
ini explained about her life and
spoke about traditional dress and
_ ;^ 1_ _.' IRJJM IN.
hair styles. Thielie Malherbe, an
Grooming salons are Afrikaans boy, talked about his
life on a farm and the history of the
not just for poodles!
Afrikaners. He said, "My life won't
Whatever shape, be the same now. None of my fam-
size or hair length, ily has ever gone overseas and I'm
all dogs deserve quite proud that I'm the first."
a visit to 4 Peatmoor pupils told the tradi-

Hair of the Dog tional tales of Jack and the
Collection/delivery available, or Beanstalk and Red Riding Hood Friends together at Peatrrroor, back from left, Dihlabeng teachers, Jo West,
drop your dog off in the morning and the visitors joined them in role Anna Mofokeng, Margaret Grant. Front, Dihlabeng and Peatmoor pupils,
and pick up in the evening play and drama activities. Tielie Malherbe, Charlie Price, Thandi Mashinini, Charlotte McPhee
The two schools were first linked
74 Basepoint, Rivermead Drive. Swindon
in 2000 and have received funding curriculum. Margaret Grant, who The two schools share work and
Call Denise on 01793 608747
from the British Council to sup- has been pictured in The Link on staff keep in touch via email, text
or 07866 507633
port the development of a global her previous visits to Swindon, and'phone. Recently pupils in both
said, "the main thrust of the part- completed projects on Nelson
nership hasn't been about the in- Mandela, then emailed each other
Talking to animals with Ingrid Rylance frastructure and buildings; it's PowerPoint presentations.
been mainly about curriculum and Although the British Council
Animal communicator and animal healer
friendship. On the management grant ends this year, acting head
Animal psychic and Reiki master
side, I've learned a lot from Terri Melanie Brough said the partner-
Help resolve behavioural problems Peacock, who was headteacher ship will continue. "Next year we
here, and our staff have been able hope to work together on citizen-
Call 01793 615321
to develop our special needs cur- ship, school councils and environ-
[email protected] riculum." ment issues."
Close encounters of the Victorian kind
Children at St Francis Primary School in Taw Hill looked at history
in a new light when they took part in a Victorian encounter day.
Dressed as Victorians, the pupils looked
at everyday life and the influence of Brunel's
work. They built model bridges to discover
the design principles used by the great engi-
neer.
Musicians Issy Emeney and John Dipper
of Folk South West helped bring the day to
life with traditional song and dance.
The children also had the opportunity to
examine Victorian artefacts brought into
school from STEAM.
Headteacher CliveWestall, said "it's about
bringing history to life in a practical way."
Right, Wendy Howard from STEAM and Ell' Car-
penter and Jasmine Jarvis.
Below, Mr B joined musicians Issy Emeney and John Dipper with St Francis
headteacher Clive Westall and, from left, Bradley Williams, Kieron Roche, Megan
Cleave, Jacob Phipps, Donny Collis, Kathrine Crawley

t Uli.