Page 31 - link magazine

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from Swindon
But, rather than creating connections in different regions or countries,
the links have been made with schools in one district of South Africa.
head of Red Oaks Pri-
mary School in North
Swindon, said, “the
schools are developing
contacts separately but
our activities are inter-
linked so that we can
share what we learn.”
Greendown Commu-
nity School staff have
established links with
Moriting Wa Thutu, the
secondary school serv-
ing Clarens.
In 2005 teachers and
pupils from Moriting vis- • NO CONTRACT
ited Greendown and in Coenie Venter, headteacher of Bohlokeng Primary • FREE trial & FREE assessment
October, 9 Swindon pu- School at Bethleham township, near Clarens with
pils will make a two week youngsters at Toothill Primary School which is form- • Friendly atmosphere with personal assistance
trip to South Africa. ing a partnership with his school • Steam room, sauna, aerobic classes, dance studio
• Cardio vascular and weights gym • Indoor pool
• Creche, kids welcome • Squash, tennis • Golf

Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Greendown teacher Cristina Bennett and pupils
Matt Hill, Laura Dunham and Denielle Govender
They have spent a lot of extra They performed a well received
curriculum time raising funds drama piece explaining how im-
planning the trip, as well as learn- portant they believe it is to break
ing more about the partnership down barriers of stereotypes and
they are building. prejudice, and included a poem
On 29 June three pupils were the ‘You and I’ written for them by a
only representatives from a Brit- Moriting Wa Thuto learner.
ish school to attend the London Nobel Peace Prize winner Arch-
launch of the UK One World Link- bishop Desmond Tutu was guest
ing Association (UKOWLA) toolkit of honour. Addressing the confer-
on how to build strong and suc- ence, he said, ‘we often deplore the
cessful relationships with commu- fact that there is so much evil in the
nities in developing countries. world and indeed there is, but we
are sometimes blinded to the fact
Ghana connection that there is an incredible amount
Thanks to fundraising by children of good and you are part of that
at Freshbrook Primary School, good that is ultimately going to
uniforms were provided for an en- prevail, because there is no way
tire school in Ghana where Alison that injustice and oppression and
Stone, below, taught for two months all the ugliness that we know will
earlier in the year. We’ll carry a full have the last word, because there
report in the September Link. are people like you, you care.’
Greendown teacher Cristina
Bennett said, “we were totally
privileged to be invited to take
part. We are making history in the
way that communities are being
encouraged to link and partner
together. It is amazing that Arch-
bishop Tutu felt so involved with
everything that we are a part of.
“The pupils were not over-
whelmed by the day at all. Their
confidence shone through and the
effusive compliments for their per-
formance was so pleasing.”

21 August 07 31 19/7/07, 3:15 pm