Little Gems comes to life

Ave Maria Primary School, Xghajra was recently a hive of activity when it welcomed pupils from Wewelsfleth Grundschule, Germany, and others from Shanklin CE Primary School from the Isle of Wight, UK.

These pupils mixed with their Maltese counterparts and participated in a week of activities related with the school's Comenius project entitled "Co-operating across borders". The pupils had planned an inter-school magazine which they called Little Gems and are now earnestly working to put the magazine online.

Mr Dave Kitching, head of school, and teachers Ms Yvonne Wheatley and Ms Julia Cooley, accompanied the English pupils. The German pupils were led by Ms Ulrike Feuser, project co-ordinator, and their teacher Mr Christian Paul.

They were welcomed at Xghajra Primary by the students' and school councils and were then taken around the school. They joined the senior classes for lessons while teachers met the Maltese team and gave a few lessons on language and culture.

With the help of science teachers, pupils were also involved in an "Einstein Project". Parents came in to help pupils build a miniature aqueduct on the school grounds as part of this activity. Students from Newcastle, who were in Malta participating in another project, also visited the school.

The pupils spoke about Little Gems. They intend to write articles, particularly on adventure and piracy. Paul Heinrich from Wewelsfleth was chosen to be editor-in-chief, having Vincent Luhr and Mona Leebauer as deputies, while Jana Leebauer would be giving a helping hand. Rebekah Gregory, Ryan Heelan, Emma Sparrow, Georgia Willshire, Nikita Burt and Jack Broadhead will also be involved.

During Comenius week Xghajra School was also visited by Commissioner for Children Sonya Camilleri. Rev. Richard Priest, governor of Shanklin CE Primary School, who was on a private visit to Malta with his wife, also paid the school a visit. He had words of praise for the games Kindergarten pupils were taught.

Together with Mr Kitching, Ms Feuser and Mrs Gemma Galea Scannura, head of Xghajra School, he took the opportunity to talk about and compare the various educational systems. They were impressed by the small classes.

The school found strong support from Xghajra council and the school council. Mayor Anthony Valvo welcomed the pupils and teachers and talked to them about the co-operation between the school and his council.

The school council prepared a social and cultural programme, fully supported by Xghajra council and parents of pupils attending Xghajra Primary School. The mayor showed the visitors around the Fortizza delle Grazie, while Victor Wickman welcomed them to the Wickman Naval Collection, a much appreciated learning experience.

A visit to Gozo included a tour of the Cittadella and an afternoon in Marsalforn where the Maltese, German and English pupils spent some time to decide on a logo for their inter-school magazine. A cultural tour of Valletta was followed by a concluding meeting during which the pupils responsible for Little Gems gave a presentation of their plans illustrated with samples of works of fellow pupils from the three partner schools.

It was felt that the Comenius activity was highly successful and it is hoped that the three schools will continue to co-operate not only through their magazine but also by accomplishing their set targets, particularly the production of a play and roving exhibition of a model town.