Page 16 - link magazine
P. 16
16 swindonlink.com • August 2008
College group achieves much
The April Link reported a planned trip to South Africa by Health and So-
cial Care students from New College. Here Karen Storey, from Westlea,
describes a memorable educational experience.
Karen, left, with New College students and members of the Glastonbury football
team
The ten students and three teach- We also met two hardworking but
ers were based in the small village of very poor men, who we have spon-
Alicedale in the Eastern Cape prov- sored to become park rangers so that
ince, living under canvas for two they can make better lives for their
weeks at one with nature. Limited families. We receive regular reports
electricity meant there was no use of of their progress in training.
hairdryers and straightners or MP3 Our team gelled quickly with
players and as the nights drew in it everyone supporting each other.
was dark soon after 6pm. This was real life, not TV. As well
Our remit was to work with the as the work, we hiked into the bush,
local community to provide things watched amazing wildlife from
they had not had access to before. hides, followed their tracks, cooked
Together we established that we out over camp fires and slept out
could teach first aid to the six foot- under a million stars and spent a
ball teams in the area and teachers day at an elephant sanctuary and
from the local schools. on a safari.
We also helped renovate two very It was an amazing experience and
old netball courts and participated our eyes were opened wide to the
in football and netball matches with needs of the world. The students
both school and local teams. These worked effortlessly and exceeded
were big occasions with the whole their and our expectations. They
community turning out to watch. adapted quickly to bush life without
It was a privilege to buy beaded complaint at the lack of facilities or
jewellery from a group of women the basic toilet facilities.
who had set up their own business. ‘Trip of a lifetime’ is an easily
One summed up their situation: used expression, but we all know
The Blackthorn School of Photography ‘Jesus won’t be coming to save us this one will stay with us for a very
long time.
so we must help ourselves’.
Evening, day and weekend courses in our
specialist teaching centre near Cricklade Kids think global
During a Young Enterprise week at Greenmeadow Primary in late June
youngsters raised £290 for a Tanzanian charity helping street children
in the town of Arusha.
Activities based on an African businesses to headteacher turned
theme helped raise pupils’ aware- ‘dragon’ Diane Pritchard.
ness of finance and global eco- Other classes made arts and
nomics. Year 6 had a taste of life craft items and all were sold at a
Booking now for courses starting September 2008 as entrepreneurs when they had well supported fair at the end of
to pitch their ideas for mini-food the week.
Evening, day and weekend courses: “The enter-
prise week is
• Digital photography and Photoshop an opportunity
for the children
• Digital printing and colour management to see how ge-
ography, eco-
• Portraiture and landscape nomics, design
and citizenship
Courses for beginner, intermediate and all tie up to-
advanced photographers gether,” said
Mrs Pritchard.
Getting ready to
www.photography-courses.com prepare a meal
with African
Tel: 07920 116492 or 01454 416937 ingredients at
Greenmeadow
Primary
1 - 21 August 08.indd 16 18/7/08 13:17:27
