Page 9 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 9

Red Oaks branches out
into South Africa
A visit to South Africa by teachers from Red Oaks Primary School in
Priory Vale has established links with Mojalefa Farm School in the FRUSTRATED UK
Clarens District and provided a wealth of material for next term’s work. The Sensible Alternative to a Skip
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Oaks pupils had just stud-
ied.
Ms Menzies said they
were surprised that for Abbey Meads Dental Practice
such a poor area, where
the number of orphans is Restorative, Preventive & Cosmetic Dentistry
steadily rising because of
the number of parents
dying from HIV/AIDS, Emily Hancock with youngsters at Mojalefa Farm
School
the children did not un- NHS Dentistry
derstand the concept of homeless- of the Swindon teachers compared
ness. “In their culture, those with to the traditional style they are
no roof over their head are taken in used to. “They thought we were (for children)
by friends and neighbours, so we the travelling circus when we came
had to explain this isn’t always the with our songs and games,” said Free Car Park
case in Britain.” Ms Menzies.
To build their shelters, the chil- “The children were so enthusi-
dren travelled to nearby Dihlabeng astic and they sucked up every- 01793 726288
School. There, the Red Oaks teach- thing that we showed them; it was
ers saw the difference between the very exciting,” added Ms Hancock. Abbey Meads Village Centre, Swindon
extremely basic farm school and Years 1 & 2 at Red Oaks can look
Dihlabeng which has had links forward to work with an African
with Peatmoor Primary School for theme during the next two terms,
6 years. including making masks and mu-
In turn, Dihlabeng will be offer- sical instruments and drumming.
ing support to Mojalefa and the They will be visited in June by
two heads were pleased to see how the two South African
well their pupils bonded on their headteachers accompanied by two
first meeting. children.
The children were intrigued by • Peatmoor and Dihlabeng - see
the more active teaching methods page 11
St Joseph’s share their good
fortune with Ugandan partners
The official opening of St Joseph’s Catholic College on 19 March was
a time for giving thanks for the new building and celebrating a
partnership with St Cyprians Secondary in Western Uganda.
Headteacher Peter Wells said container full of teaching equip-
that when the college was awarded ment which will shortly be sent
£20m to build the state of the art out to their school.
building on Ocotal Way, he felt it Wimpey Homes, which will be
important to share their good for- developing the school’s old site at
tune and acknowledge that there Nythe, presented St Cyprians with
are schools in the third world with a cheque for £16,725.
next to nothing. The opening was celebrated by
Over the past two years, strong a Mass followed by the unveiling
links have been forged with St of a memorial plaque by the Ro-
Cyprians with pupils and gover- man Catholic Bishop of Clifton,
nors from St Joseph’s spending the Right Reverend Declan Lang.
time there. A special guest at the Mr Wells said, “the formal open-
opening ceremony was the High ing gives us an excellent opportu-
Commissioner for Uganda, Her Ex- nity to say thank you, and for all
cellency, Joan KN Rwabyomere. guests to view the wonderful fa-
A party of staff and pupils from cilities and enjoy the dramatic ar-
St Cyprians also took part and chitectural design of the college,
stayed in Swindon as guests of the which is based on the concept of a
college for 12 days. They saw a central street.”
1 May 07 9 19/4/07, 4:53 pm