Blewbury's Comenius Adventures

Day 1 and 2

drsmith — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:20:06 +0000

After a delay at heathrow our journey was without problems and we all arrived safely in Martina Franca.

The children were all very excited to meet their host families and went off to spend the evening settling in and hopefully catching up on some sleep!

Day began with a sharp drop in temperature and rain. I think we brought the weather with us. In the morning we all visited a local farm where they train the best horse in Italy which was very interesting. This was followed by a lunch with all the students with some lovely pasta.

The afternoon has been spent practising for our performance in the town square tomorrow before the children heading off for some basketball and time with their host families.

We all hope the predicted sunshine for tomorrow arrives as forecast!

Ciao

Mr Smith

Report Post As Inappropriate

On your marks, get set…

drsmith — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:37:47 +0000

Here we are then all excited; hopefully packed and ready to go! At approximately 4:15am tomorrow morning we set off for the sunny south of Italy for a fun filled friendly adventure with our Italian, Czech and German friends.

Have you packed everything you need? I think I have…

Mr Smith

Report Post As Inappropriate

Last minute language learning!

drsmith — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:15:29 +0000

With only just over 2 days to go keep practising those small phrases that will be good to use to get to know other children and being polite with your host family.

Also if you have some spare time use an online resource or a phrase book to browse the names of different foodstuffs. This is really useful when you are getting your breakfast, lunch and tea so you know what you are having! Check out the names of fruit, vegetables and different meats. Especially brush up on those fruit flavours for the multiple ice cream choices you get in Italy.

Weather looks set to be sunny and fair for the duration of our trip with temperatures at the moment a little under the seasonal average at 20-21 degrees Celsius.

Mr Smith

Report Post As Inappropriate

Bring your cameras!

drsmith — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:40:28 +0000

As you know I like my photography and I will have my camera to hand to document our trip as well as take some more personal pictures. I would encourage all of you, if you have one and are allowed to take it, to take a small digital camera. Martina Franca is by all accounts a photogenic town. Unlike lots of other narrow streeted Italian towns Martina Franca is blessed by it’s illuminated whitewashed walls to provide great lighting at all times. Combine this with ample sunlight for arty shadows and blue skies for contrast It should provide many great shots.

In addition to this the more photographs we can take collectively the better for sharing our experience on our return. I can take plenty of the school, the town, and our trips out and about. However, the area where possibly your longest lasting great memories will come from and the things that will be really interesting to your families and the rest of the school are photos of your experience of Italian Family life. So please if possible look to take plenty of pictures documenting this aspect of the trip as we will be putting together presentations for the pupils and your parents on our return.

Mr Smith

Report Post As Inappropriate

What is the weather like?

drsmith — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:08:49 +0000

Not here! we know it’s cold and wet here, not very seasonal at all. In Martina Franca it will be very different though. They do not have seasons like us really as the Mediterranean climate is slightly different and Martina Franca is on the same latitude as Spain, Greece and Turkey. For them essentially spring is moving into summer.. Average daily temperatures for this time of year are around 22/23 degrees Celsius (72-74 Fahrenheit), a pleasant summers day for the UK! This year in Martina Franca seems like no exception although while we experience much colder than average May temperatures parts of Europe are way above average.

At the moment the beginning of the week we are going the temperatures look to set to be a touch higher than average, 25/26 degrees Celsius (77-79 Fahrenheit). So pack your summer clothes to keep cool; remember sun cream and a hat and take your swim things just in case you have the opportunity.

Having said all that night time temperatures at this time of year can still dip down to 10/11 degrees Celsius on a clear night so make sure you pack warm clothes for the evening too!

Mr Smith

Report Post As Inappropriate

It’s off to Italy we go

drsmith — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:04:22 +0000

In a little under 2 weeks the next leg of our Comenius adventure begins. This time 10 students and 4 teachers are off to the sunny southern boot of Italy. Martina Franca to be precise to meet up with our European colleagues at out Italian Partner School. The Children have all been learning some basic Italian now for some weeks so I hope that when they get there they will be prepared to converse in the native language. When in Rome or in this case when near to Rome!

Everyone is very excited and looking forward to the trip so keep coming back here to find out the latest preparations and details from Italy when we are there.

Mr Smith

Report Post As Inappropriate

The Final Day

drsmith — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:17:20 +0000

It came so quick and then in the blink of an eye we were home.

We spent the morning having a last wander around Seigburg, up on to the hill for some great views and down through the medieval market one last time. Lunch was had at a nice restuarant, run by a family from the school. Schnitzels all round to fill us up for the journey! Then to the train station with our bags, to be waved of by Mirriam (A teacher from the Alfred Keller Schule).

The ICE train to Frankfurt was as efficient as you would expect of the country that gives us all things ‘vorschprung durch technik’. 303 km/h was our top speed and before we knew it we were in the airport and on our plane home.

Thankfully as with the journey out all travel went to plan and Bob delivererd us from the airport to Blewbury bang on time where parents eagerly awaited the return of their children safe and sound.

A beautiful starry night capped off a wonderful trip for all of us with memories that will last a life time.

12 went to Siegburg, 12 came home although some I know had such fun they would have liked to stay for longer.

Tschuss…Aufweidersehen

Mr Smith

Report Post As Inappropriate

Day 4

drsmith — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:49:34 +0000

What has happened to the weather? It has not rained here for 1 month and today it rained, it was cold and very windy!

We spent the day in Cologne where we went to the cathedral, a brewery for lunch and a chocolate factory.

Oh and did I mention we all had to wear reindeer antlers so we were easily seen

Another great day had by all and only 1 night left before we come home.

Doesn’t time fly when you are having fun?

Mr Smith

Report Post As Inappropriate

Day 3

drsmith — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:14:19 +0000

Day 3 was another good day. The children continued with their drama workshops performing with children of all our partner countries. In the afternoon they gave their performances to the other children, host families and teachers. They all did extremely well, well done.

During break times ( die pause ) the girls played and the boys engaged in the universal language of football! It’s great to see children of all countries uniting in such a way. I even joined in myself for a short time.

After the school day we were all treated to waffles which were very nice.

Tomorrow we visit Koln which should be fun, hopefully the rain will stay away!

Mr Smith

Report Post As Inappropriate

Day 2

drsmith — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:39:14 +0000

We have now completed our first full day at the school which we started with a very friendly and welcoming assembly.
All the schools performed their dance and Charlie was able to show off his side step although there wasn’t much room to gallop!
The children joined in with drama workshops and played together in the schoolyard.
There was another chance to perform this afternoon, this time for the mayor! Afterwards we were shown around the medieval market seeing a working smithy.

Ms Mills

Report Post As Inappropriate