Comenius Project Meeting – Alslev Skole, Denmark Wednesday 23rd – Sunday 27th March 2011
Representing St Paul’s CE Primary School, Nuneaton, UK: Mrs Carolyn Ames, Mrs Emma Turner, Mrs Gemma Temple, Miss Catherine Parr Wednesday 23rd March Arrival day. We were welcomed to Denmark with a meal at Alslev Skole- a variety of delicious traditional Danish food prepared by the school cook, Charlotte. An opportunity to meet many of the staff from Alslev Skole and colleagues from each of the participating schools.
Thursday 24th March Whole day in Alslev Skole. It was fascinating to spend time in classrooms, observing teaching, talking to children and having the opportunity to take part in lessons. We received a very warm welcome from the staff and children at school; the children were full of questions, very interested in finding out about our own school and very pleased and proud to talk to us about their own work and school.
At the welcome assembly, the children sang and played music. Representatives from each of the visiting schools gave a short presentation of information about their own schools and local areas. 1
After school finished, we held our project planning meeting. An opportunity to review the first project activity and make plans for future activities, including dates for future project meetings. The day finished with a cultural visit to Varde Museum and a guided viewing of some of the work of Danish artist, Otto Frello.
Friday 25th March Opportunity to visit classrooms and take part in lessons. The range of lessons observed included Danish, Science, Food Class, Needlecraft, Religious Education, Woodwork, English and Physical Education. It was interesting to compare approaches to teaching and discuss this with colleagues from Denmark. We were all very impressed with the children’s motivation and attitudes to learning. On both days at school, we shared the school lunch, prepared by Charlotte. School lunches were thoroughly enjoyed by both children and adults; a good range of fresh fruit and vegetables along with cooked food each day.
After a full day in school, there was a visit out to the coast ending with a meal at the fish restaurant in Blavand. Saturday 26th March Full day visiting local places of cultural interest. A fascinating visit to the Maritime Museum and aquarium in Esbjerg gave us all an insight into the history of the town and the North Sea fishing industry from the Danish perspective. It was fascinating to see the similarities with the North Sea fishing industry from the North East of England. Following this, a visit to Ribe, Denmark’s oldest town and a guided tour of the beautiful cathedral and the old town itself. 2
Our final meal together was at Hotel Arnbjerg, Varde. Sunday 27th March Departure day. Our sincerest thanks go to our friends and colleagues at Alslev Skole for organising such a very interesting and enjoyable visit. We learnt so much during our stay in Denmark. Thank-you all for your friendship, for such a warm welcome to your lovely country and for all that you did to make the visit so memorable. We look forward to returning in May when we bring our group of children to visit you all at Alslev Skole.
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