Comenius project news updates

A round-up of various-EU sponsored Comenius projects and related overseas meetings in which local schools have taken part with the help of funding allocated by the Maltese EU Programmes Agency under the Lifelong Learning programme.

Protection of endemic and indigenous species

A group of teachers and students from St Benedict College Boys' Secondary School recently attended a Comenius project meeting in Gravina di Puglia, Italy.

The project, spread over two years, is entitled 'Endemic and Indigenous Species and their Protection'. The other partners involved in the project are Cyprus and Italy.

Before the trip to Italy, the students prepared Powerpoint presentations about the protec-tion of endemic and indigenous plants and animals. This work was presented by the students themselves during a visit to San Giovanni Bosco School in Gravina di Puglia.

In Gravina, the group visited the old part of the city with its caves dating back thousands of years, as well as the cathedral, numerous churches and a museum about the history of Gravina.

They also visited Castel del Monte, famous for its octagonal shape, and the city of Matera where the Sassi, the remains of numerous homes built in rock, can still be seen.

The group also met the Bishop Mario Paciello of Gravina, who came to the school during one of the project meetings and gave the group a short welcome speech.

The Maltese representatives at the meeting were teachers Kirsty Callus and Mark Micallef, and students Christian Schembri, Ryan Grech, Yorick Galea and Ryan Vella.

A fruitful visit

As part of the continuation of the Comenius Project on 'Our European News Paper', three students from Rabat Girls' Secondary, accomp-anied by one of their teachers, Josianne Fabri, and their assistant Head, Mario Vella, recently went to Prerov in the Czech Republic, in Moravia, South East of Prague.

While the students, during the morning attended lessons with Czech students, their teacher and assistant head participated in meetings concerning the planning of the following issue of the newspaper and of the next meeting which is to be held in Malta on October 16.

Other participants in this project, besides Malta and the Czech Republic, were Norway, Finland, England, and Poland.

The Maltese delegation had the Comenius Museum in Prerov as well as the Roznov Walachian village with the border of Slovakia.

A healthier lifestyle with country walks

St Monica School Birkirkara has been involved in various on-going activities, this scholastic year, connected with the Comenius project 'Walking Together Through Europe'.

The aim of this project, which is being co-ordinated by St Monica School, is to encourage a healthier lifestyle by organising country walks. These walks also provide an opportunity to learn about our country's historical and natural heritage.

One of the outings was to Mistra Bay. A group of students walked from the pebbly beach past the battery built by the knights and uphill towards the sand dunes where they could enjoy the views of the island of St Paul.

Another group of students recently went on a long walk at Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park in Mellieħa.

Annalise Falzon, a member of Nature Trust, which runs the Park, gave the students an informative guided tour describing interesting facts about the flora and fauna found in this area. Moreover, the students had the opportunity to visit the recently restored St Agatha's Tower.

A smaller group of teachers - Rosette Caruana and Magdalen Cucciardi - and students - Martina Ebejer, Yanika Gusman, Michaela Abela and Annalise Zammit - have also been on a project meeting to Rome, where they were joined by teachers and students from Italy, Germany and Turkey.

The host school organised walks as well as a boat trip on the Tevere River and a theatrical performance for the teachers by the visiting and host students at Alessandra's laboratory.

The world watched by children project

The sixth Comenius meeting of the project 'The World Watched by Children' was held recently in Ancona, Italy.

Members from the seven countries participating in this project - Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Italy (Abruzzo), Greece, Italy (Ancona) and Malta - were present.

The Maltese participants were staff members of Theresa Nuzzo School, Marsa: Marise Bugeja, Marisa Farrugia, Cristina Kitney and Alexia Mercieca.

All partners exchanged material and crafts made by the students. The topic was 'recycled materials' and talks on recycyling were held in every country.

The next and final meeting will be held in Greece. It will conclude this two year project.