St Martin's College, Swatar, was buzzing recently with activity as the English department organised an 'English Week', featuring a variety of activities based on English culture that showed how much fun learning can be.
Actress Polly March was invited to read poetry to the Form 2s and Form 4s, and writer Malcolm Galea entertained Form 1 students with readings from Roald Dahl and discussions on acting and Shakespeare with the Form 3s.
Meanwhile, the Junior 4s were lucky enough to meet UK children's author Vivian French, who gave them many tips to improve their own creative writing while explaining how she goes about planning and writing her stories.
A cricket match was held during the week between two teams brought together by student Adam Balakrishnan. The teams were taught the rudiments of the game by Adam's father, who also umpired the match.
Middle School and Senior School students were shown TV episodes of Fawlty Towers and Blackadder respectively during their big break on two days of the week.
In class, English teachers dedicated a lesson to read a short story to their students, who in turn were all encouraged to enter a poetry competition on different topics and using various writing styles, depending on their year.
In the library, an exhibition produced by Form 3 students on Shakespeare and his times was displayed.
Taking up a Parents' Circle suggestion, the students were encouraged to sponsor a book for €1 and recommend authors of their choice. Thanks to the scheme, 33 new books were bought for the library.
On the last day of the week, a lavish 'English High Tea' was organised for the Middle and Senior School students during their big breaks.
Tea was served with an array of delicious scones, cucumber, egg or marmite sandwiches, Victoria sponges, rock cakes, gingerbread men, fruit loaves, shortbread and several other goodies, which were painstakingly prepared by parents.
Students are being asked to forward suggestions about what resources to buy for the English Department from the profit made during the event.
The English Week proved to be such a success that the school is considering making it a permanent fixture in its calendar.