Comenius visit to Cyprus

Dom Mauro Inguanez Primary School, Senglea, is taking part in the Comenius project entitled 'Intercultural Education'.

The school has been collaborating with schools in Berkersheimer (Frankurt), Germany, and Apsiou in Cyprus. The first meeting in Frankfurt launched the project. Apsiou was the venue for the second meeting. Jane Axisa, the head, and Angela Grixti represented the Senglea school on this visit.

The staff and students at Apsiou gave Comenius partners from Germany and Malta a very warm welcome. Project participants met to discuss the project so far and to plan further work. However they also had the opportunity to observe lessons and participate in activities held on the school premises and outside.

The school held a traditional art and craft day during which senior citizens from the village demonstrated a number of traditional crafts. In another activity, students presented information they had gathered after carrying out research about Malta and Germany.

On their part the German and Maltese groups gave presentations about their country. The team from Malta chose to present "Malta and its Easter traditions". Similarities and differences between Malta, Cyprus and their traditions were drawn. The cultural visits to Curium, a Roman settlement, and the archeological site at Amathus planned by the school served to further underline the similarities between the history of the two islands.

The project partners also had the opportunity to meet with the Apsiou PTA and the local council. The two organizations hosted the group making the visit to the island more memorable through the warm hospitality shown.

In April, the Senglea school organised a healthy breakfast, with activities spread over three days.

On the first day, parents were invited to the school for a talk by a nutritionist on healthy eating. Fresh orange juice was given to the parents. On the second day, pupils in Year 3 classes together with their parents went for breakfast at the Home Economics Centre in Birkirkara. The rest of the pupils were offered yoghurt, cereals and fruit salad. On the last day all pupils took part in a fun walk, which was followed by a healthy breakfast.

Products for the breakfast were supplied by the local greengrocer, fruit by CPS, flavoured water and Selecta juices by Farsons and Safari juices by Marsovin. Good Earth offered the dried fruits, Benna the yogurts and Alf. Mizzi & Sons supplied the Muller Mixers.

A special thank you goes to Nestlé, who provided each pupil with a Nesquik drink, a Nesquik lunch box and a Nesquik disposable camera.