Global links will benefit students (From Craven Herald)

Global links will benefit students

9:00am Monday 6th August 2012 in News By Newsdesk

Settle Primary School is to strengthen its global links.

Higher-level teaching assistant Sarah Entwistle, technician Richard Freytag and governor Gillian Gape are to travel to Kwesana School in the Eastern Cape of South Africa to experience life first-hand in Settle’s partner school.

And later this year Jennifer Mbati, the principal of Kwesana School, will come to Settle.

Two laptops will be taken to Kwesana, thanks to donations from ChipMonks Day Nursery and Holy Ascension Parish Church and part of the visit will focus on setting up improved computer links which will allow the children to chat via Skype.

Miss Entwistle is also aiming to set up a website during her stay to enable everyone to share in the day-to-day life of the pupils.

Along with all the extra luggage, Miss Entwistle will be taking work done by Settle children and preparing lessons to give the South African children an insight into school life here.

Settle Primary has also donated a tag rugby kit so the Kwesana children will be able to try out the North Craven school’s most popular sport for themselves.

Headteacher Richard Wright said: “A big thank you to Mrs Gape, Ms Entwistle and Mr Freytag for giving up their time to go over to South Africa.

“The link is of enormous benefit to the children both here and in South Africa as we learn about each other’s lives and make new friends.”

Mrs Gape pioneered the partnership through her work with the British Council in South Africa and the exchange was made possible by a British Council grant.

The school has provided funds to support an ICT teacher working at Kwesana School as well as resources and games for the children.