A project that was music to Zebbug pupils' ears

Przedszkole Samorzadowe is an 'eco-school' built only 12 years ago in a wonderful green area overlooking Lake Goblo in Kruszwica, Poland, where 134 children are taught by eleven teachers.

The final meeting of the three-year Comenius project "Music in all its aspects" was held at the Polish school to share good practice and wind up the project's final year, which was co-ordinated by Dun Mikiel Xerri Zebbug Primary "A". From an early age the Polish schoolchildren learn the names of all trees in the surrounding area. The school wastes nothing; discarded plastic, paper and wood are re-used for school artistic projects. The pupils learn rhythm, dance to music from Polish folk tales and Polkas, all sorts of pre-reading and pre-writing skills and even learn to express themselves using their fingers dipped in colour.

Formal teaching only starts at seven years of age, by then the children have learnt to be confident, creative and smart, and can take schooling well in their stride. The project's main activity this year was a concert held at the zebbug school entitled "Summer" during which the participating schools from Romania, Poland, Greece and Malta each chose a season and celebrated a musical tale using stories, music and dance from their countries. The children's' lovely costumes and mascots were prepared by parents and council members, and the concert was a joint effort by staff, parent helpers, peripatetic teachers of ICT, art, drama, PE and music. The Zebbug school also held an exhibition of children's works and research about each country and the Polish composer Chopin. Recycled materials were used to make instruments and the school bought new percussion and musical instruments for the pupils to use

Throughout the project, as each participating school exchanged DVDs and music with each other, we realised how much we have to learn from each other. From our contributions we saw how every country has a unique story to tell with its traditional songs, dancing and colours. Also, since the start of the project, the pupils' and their teachers' English communication skills have improved very much.

The whole experience has enriched our school. A young choir made up of Year 2 and Year 3 children has been set up. Music lessons have become more colourful, the integration of art and drama has helped our children express themselves better and obtain positive results, and there are plans to further enhance music awareness in various other ways in the years to come. Well done to everyone who collaborated fully for the project's success.