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The
staff and children remembered last year’s Challenge with great
pleasure – and both nursery and school were buzzing with excitement.
Just like last year, the children were proud to take our visitors into
their village and their homes. It was good to see them, their parents,
teachers and our visitors coming together in the community. A tour of
the new Complex was an important element of the Challenge and everyone
agreed that it was something really quite special.
The
teaching opportunities proved very exciting. The children made glove
puppets and colourful fabric prints. They created ladybird, turtle and
crab masks and beautiful clay pots. The sports activities and English
country dancing caused great fun and excitement. Teachers and children
participated with tremendous enthusiasm! Two classes have begun to
prepare a book about themselves and their families, an activity that
served to engage and inspire them. Our older students were absolutely
enthralled by a specially prepared DVD about Gypsy children in the UK,
an experience that generated important dialogue on ‘real’ issues. The
whole programme was underpinned by a highly creative, interactive
session on display, which engaged and motivated our Romanian team. The
children’s presentation was a delight and included dance, drama and
music to a very high standard.
Our
visitors brought such a wealth of resources that it is difficult to
remember them all. They included art and craft materials, sports
equipment, a laptop, clothing and even a full football kit! The staffs
of the Nursery and School were amazed and want to say a BIG ‘Thank
you’ for everything. The professional dialogue was, I believe,
welcomed and enjoyed by all concerned. It was both relevant and
significant and our Romanian team found the discussion times extremely
useful. |
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As Educational Adviser to the
Smiles Foundation, it has again been myy privilege to be involved in
an initiative with real purpose, momentum andd impact. Thank you to
all those who have taken up the Challenge and helped too make a real
difference in the lives of the children and their teachers. Theree are
already those who have expressed an interest in next year’s Challenge,
soo watch this space!
Stephen Woodward
Trustee and Educational Advisor to The Smiles Foundation.
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The following comments
give just a flavour of the impact made by the 2008 Challenge:
“Definitely an Educational Challenge!”
“An unforgettable experience,
teaching Romanians and visitors that dreams can come true.”
“ I loved the hands-on approach, which generated
so much laughter and learning.”
“My time
with the children gave me one of the most memorable moments in my
teaching career.”
“An amazing experience that I will always take
with me.”
“How did you manage to put together such a great team of Romanian
teachers?”
“Second time on the Challenge and I would love to make it a third!”
“It is great that the teachers are so open and
receptive to new ideas.”
“I feel both proud and privileged to
be part of such a great team.”
“A fantastic and amazing experience. To make a
difference in a child’s life is the best gift you can give – and
everyone here is making a difference! Wow! I will never forget!”
“We have been inspired and moved. What has been
achieved is truly remarkable – and the commitment of the teachers and
staff is something to be greatly admired.”
“The children are beautiful, adorable, focussed
and affectionate. We have all taken away something special with us.”
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