Tuesday 6 November 2012

Comenius visit to The Czech Republic



In October I was fortunate to be the teacher representing our school at our first meeting for our Comenius project 'Virtual Museum of Monsters'.  It was an absolutely amazing experience.  I flew to Prague airport and was greeted by the Czech teacher Zdenek who had organised the whole program of our visit.  With his help I then travelled from Prague to Trutnov, a three hour train journey.  I love travelling by train and it was a fantastic way to see the Czech Republic.  When I arrived another teacher George was there to greet me and take me to my accommodation.  The Penzion Pohoda where I was staying was fantastic and affordable.  The room had free wifi, a tv and an ensuite bathroom!  Breakfast was in the restaurant downstairs (the cellar).

That evening as all the other teachers were beginning to arrive from, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Italy not the mention all the Czech teachers, I was beginning to feel somewhat apprehensive.  All the other schools had travelled with at least one other colleague whereas I as on my own.  When Zdenek called to say it was time to go to dinner I was relieved to be collected and taken to the restaurant.  As the teachers began to arrive I began to feel less worried as they were all so friendly and welcoming.  After a delicious Czech meal I was beginning to feel more prepared for the following few days.

Over the following days we got to know each other and were able to plan more aspects of the project in more detail.  Alongside this planning of our project we were also able to see some of the Czech schools and learn more about the education system both in the Czech Republic and from each other.

In all other European schools children are classed as preschool for longer than in the Uk.  The schools in the Czech Republic had beautiful artwork produced by the pupils with the support of specialist art teachers.  We were able to see how ICT is being developed with some of the older children demonstrating their lego robots.  The children performed dances for us and we were made to feel very welcome.

We also saw how beautiful it is in the Czech republic with a visit to Adrspach Rocks which involved a 5km walk around the rocks.  Some of which was quite scary as I don't like heights and we ended up climbing quite high.

 

 This is the view of the lake when we first arrived.

















We had to walk up and down lots of very narrow steps to see some of the beautiful rocks and scenery.


























The whole trip was an amazing experience.  It was so nice to get to know some of the teachers that we will be working with over the next two years.  We were able to plan how to ensure our pupils are collaborating and how the project is going to develop.  

The next visit is going to be in the UK so my job now is to ensure that I provide as many opportunities as we had in the Czech Republic to see both schools but also some of the places that you would never visit if you didn't have a guide from the country.