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swindonlink.com • January 2012 17
Toothill pupils touch the moon Habla espanol?

Rare samples of moon rock and lunar dust landed at Toothill Primary Native Spanish speaker Rodrigo Villegas from Peatmoor is offering
School in early November for a four day visit. Spanish tuition to individuals and groups using a multimedia tool
that he has developed himself.
“When I first came to the UK 20 drigo worked initially for Motorola
years ago I didn’t speak a word as an application production engi-
of English,” he said. “The process neer. Then, following his passion for
of learning English as a foreign golf, from 2002 to 2006, he lived and
language, was a useful experience worked in Antequera in southern
for me in developing a multi-media Spain where he was involved in
application to point out some of the design and creation of the golf
the best ways to learn a different course.
language. His private tuition is aimed at
“The tool includes sound record- those learning Spanish for studies,
ings of words in Spanish which business, as a second language, or
enables pupils to practice pronun- even for getting by on the golf course.
ciation. See Rodrigo’s advert on page 6
When he came to Swindon Ro- for contact details.

Moon pupils, Francisco Goncalves, Harry Humphreys, Shania Vaneeden, Chastity Reid
Meteorites of different kinds formed part of the display and pupils
were able to handle and study them, seeing the obvious differences in
the materials they are made from.
The lunar samples, provided by the UK’s Science and Technology
Facilities Council were collected by NASA’s astronauts on missions to
the Moon in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Small quantities of the 382
kilograms of lunar material brought back to earth were released in lunar
and planetary sciences educational packages. But because of the unique
provenance, the samples are lent to schools in highly secure and secret
arrangements.

Prior Park receives best ever M i l i t a r y S k i l l s . c o . u k
inspection report e right people in the right places.
Staff and children at Prior Park Preparatory School are celebrating after
the school achieved an A-Grade following a visit from the Independent
Schools Inspectorate, the body approved by the Secretary of State for
Education and Skills for the purpose of inspecting independent schools

ISI Inspection November 2011 results
Highest band of Excellent
in seven areas

Early Years Foundation Stage
Outstanding

Prior Park headteacher Mark Pearce with members of the school steel band
Image: Stephen Shepherd Prior Park Preparatory
The 220 strong school for 3 to 13 Headteacher Mark Pearce said: Open Door Day (Pre-Prep & Prep) - Friday 9 March 2012
year olds in Cricklade attained its “Everyone is delighted with the Open Morning (Pre-Prep & Prep) - Saturday 10 March 2012
best ever inspection result, achiev- outcome of this inspection. It paid
ing ‘excellent’ in seven areas of testament to the wonderful oppor-
school life and ‘good’ in two areas tunities that are available to all of
with the inspectors saying there our pupils as they undertake their
were excellent aspects in both. life journey at Prior Park.
Ofsted carried out a separate “We are a school that allows
inspection of Prior Park’s Early our children to thrive, both aca-
Years Foundation Stage department demically and creatively, and I am
at the same time and awarded three thrilled that the report recognized
outstandings and one good, stating our strength in providing a well- Read our full report at
pupils’ outstanding personal devel- rounded education which both www.thepriorfoundation.com
opment was ‘strongly supported challenges and stimulates our
by the broad and interesting cur- pupils to achieve excellence in all
riculum’ and caring, friendly and endeavours.” T: 01793 750 275
dedicated staff who ‘create a com- Prior Park next holds open days E: [email protected]
www.thepriorfoundation.com
munity in which the pupils flourish on 9 and 10 March. However, tours
and grow up to be confident and of the school can be arranged at any
responsible young people.’ time by calling 754415.

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