Comenius Project 2004-2007

1. Comenius Project2004-2007 Teamwork, Solidarity, Tolerance and Fair Play Through Physical Activities Mater Boni Consilii St.Joseph School Paola Malta

2. Project Overview • 2004-2005 In August of 2004 our Comenius Team made the first contacts with one of the participating schools in the project • By February 2005 all the paperwork was in place and application sent in • May-June 2005 we started working on the project – Pupils and teachers researched Traditional Maltese Playground Games

3. Approval and Funding • July 2005 We got the positive result that application was accepted and approved for funding • September 2005 Our School took part in the signing in ceremony held at Robert Sammut Hall in Floriana • October 2005 Project meeting in Dublin Ireland to discuss work done so far and planning of the next part of the project

4. Work carried out by our school a year in the project • We have researched and tried out Traditional Maltese games • Research was translated and compiled in a booklet by the Comenius Team and was shared with all partners • We also produced a DVD of pupils playing out the games and shared it with the partners • We also handed it in P.E curriculum to the partner schools

5. Project Meeting In Ireland October 2005 • October 2005 our school participated in a project meeting held at St. Brigid School Dublin Ireland • There we were given a very warm welcome by both staff and pupils • We visited the classrooms and spoke to the girls. • Pupils presented us with a selection of Irish dances that they learn as part of their curriculum • They also demonstrated some of the games that they play

6. What happened next..… • In Ireland it was agreed that the next Project Meeting would be held in April 2006 in Malta • It was agreed that the partners were to try out the various games from the different countries using the material exchanged • In the meantime the pupils were to correspond via letters to other pupils in the various countries – commenting on the games • Partners agreed to hold a Common Games Day • Start recording and keeping all material that has to do with Nutrition Fitness and Health across the Curriculum

7. Back in Malta…. • The teachers that had participated in the project meeting in Ireland reported back to the staff and students and outlined the next phase of the project • A Comenius Communication Notice board was set up in our school

8. Playing the Partners’ Games • The various classes were presented with the material exchanged. • They then tried out the games of the partner country that they had been assigned.

9. Presenting the games….

10. Trying out the games….

11. Fostering new friendships • The next phase in the project was to communicate with the partner countries • The pupils had fun producing drawings and writing short letters to other pupils in partner countries.

12. The letters kept coming in…. • The pupils and teachers struck and maintained their friendships through emails,letters and drawings. • Next staff and pupils started their preparations to host the partner countries in their school. • All classes were assigned a partner country to research • Later their work was exhibited for the teachers from the partner countries during their visit to Malta

13. Learning about the different cultures and enhancing tolerance

14. Project Meeting in Malta • In May 2006 the partners came from the various countries for the project meeting • Members of staff went to greet them at the hotel when they arrived

15. The School visit and the Project Meeting • The pupils welcomed the teachers from the partner countries with enthusiasm • They performed The Maltija and recited a medley of Maltese folk songs in the school yard

16. A taste of Malta • Later that morning the pupils served the partner teachers with Maltese delicacies that they had prepared themselves with the help of their Home Economics teacher

17. The Project Meetingin Malta May 2006 • Each participating school presented the work carried out during the scholastic year • Ideas how best to continue work on the project were also discussed • Materials and presentations were exchanged between the participating countries • It was agreed that the next project meeting would be held in Florence in October of 2006 • It was also agreed that till the next meeting each participating school would hold and record their Sports Day, • Maintain the communication between the pupils from the various countries

18. Sharing our heritage • While our partners were in Malta the staff of St.Joseph Paola joined the teachers from the partner countries in the afternoons to give them a glimpse of our heritage • On the last evening the school hosted a farewell dinner for the teachers from the participating countries

19. Into the last year of the project • September 2006 launched our project into its final year as our application for renewal was approved to be funded • During this year we wanted to going focus on nutrition, health and fitness still ensuing emphasis on the importance of teamwork, solidarity and tolerance towards each other

20. Project Meeting in Florence – October 2006 • During the Project Meeting in Florence in October 2006 it was decided that each participating school would complete the work that they had already started, shifting the focus to fitness, health and nutrition. Each partner school had to work on these issues taking them across the curricula.

21. Florence • Whilst in Florence the participants had the opportunity to meet the teachers and pupils of various schools in Florence, interact with the pupils and share ideas and information about the respective countries as well as exchange pedagogical materials and letters that our pupils had compiled.

22. Back in Malta • Back at school the pupils together with the staff and the assistance of the PTA celebrated Children’s Day with a difference. The day started with pupils and staff being served a nutritious, colourful fruit salad. Then each class presented and played the games that they normally play as part of their P.E. curriculum.

23. Fun Games Day marking end of project • The climax of the project came in April 2007, when our pupils together with the staff participated in a Fun Games Day organised by the Comenius Team at Marsa Sports Facilities. At this activity the pupils worked in teams with participants from across classes and collected points for their team colour. This activity reinforced the importance of team work and solidarity.

24. Final Presentation of Project in Belgium • Our project came to an end at the final presentation in Belgium. The Project Meeting took the nature of a workshop where each partner country presented an overview of the various activities carried out in their schools and produced a poster to highlight this activity. During the three day visit the participants had the opportunity to share activities with the staff and students from the various Belgian schools.