German and English pupils visit Xghajra school to work on play

German and English teachers and pupils visited Ave Maria primary school in Xghajra late last year to start developing a drama activity which will eventually lead to the production of a three-act play which is to be the schools' main activity this year for their Comenius project.

Pupils from Wewelsfleth school in Germany were accompanied by their headteacher Meike, and two teachers, Ulrike Feuser and Christian Paul. The children, Danica, Tim and Jeldrick, together with their teachers, quickly integrated with the Maltese pupils and joined them in their classes and other school activities. They also visited the local council office where they met the mayor, Anthony Valvo, who is now in touch with the mayor of Wewelsfleth.

Dave Kitching, head of Shanklin CE primary school on the Isle of Wight, also joined the German teachers for a meeting with Gemma Galea Scannura, head of the Xghajra primary school. They were introduced to drama teacher Deo Grech who will be in charge of putting up the three-act play.

Pupils from Xghajra joined the German pupils in the school hall where Mr Grech together with Mr Paul organised movement sessions for the children.

Afterwards the three headteachers held a session with Mr Grech to discuss how they are going to develop the plot of the play and adapt the script so as to involve as many pupils as possible. Each school is going to put up an act and integrate within it aspects of local folklore.

During the group's visit the mayor of Xghajra organised a tour round Mdina and a visit to the "Mdina Experience". The activity was sponsored by the local council while the school head and the drama teacher took them around the old city and gave them information on Malta's medieval history.

The activity provided yet another occasion for the Xghajra pupils to participate in educational and cultural activities with pupils from other countries and enrich their European dimension.