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Comenius projects at De La Salle College

The senior section of De La Salle College is proud to be participating in a Comenius project with College Jaques Prevert, Verson, France during the scholastic year 2001-2002. The topic chosen is "The Sea" and it includes a multi-disciplinary approach culminating in a student-exchange visit and the publication of the project on CD-ROM.

The aims of the project are many. First there is the deepening of the appreciation and understanding of our heritage, and that of our French counterparts.

Secondly, it provides our student with a practical exposure to the French language.

The students are currently learning about the economic, historical and cultural importance of the sea and gathering relevant information across the curriculum in such subjects as Maths, Physics, Biology, IT, History and the languages. The need to protect the sea and the environment is of particular interest. Furthermore, the students are using e-mail to correspond with their French friends.

The project also aims to enable students, without distinction of skills and social conditions, to participate in this experience. This is a wonderful opportunity to make people aware that the building of a united Europe requires people to know each other better, to reflect together, and to work together on common issues. The spirit of camaraderie and friendship that is growing among the students augurs well for the coming activities.

De La Salle College junior school has also forged links with schools abroad. At first glance a school in Malta seems to have little in common with a school in Helsinki, little to offer to one in Frankfurt, hardly any significance to another in Chester.

But this has proved to be wrong as for De La Salle College it promises to be a year full of activity in the Comenius project.

During these last months the pupils have been involved in the exchange of information about the weather and the celebration of Christmas. Maltese students prepared Christmas packages which included papier mache "grotti" and "pasturi" made during the Art lessons, and Christmas Books written during English lessons.

The teachers contributed traditional recipes. The highlight was a CD produced by the school choir and the music teachers, which includes traditional Maltese Christmas carols. Santa Claus will arrive to the tune of "Ninu Ninu: in Finland this year!

The first meeting for teachers occurred in November in Germany; others are scheduled for February (Chester) and April (Malta). During the coming year the students will produce an international calendar and the exchange information about everyday life via the Internet.

Comenius Day was celebrated at De La Salle contemporarily with the national activities at Barrakka Gardens. Our boys released balloons with goodwill messages attached to them which were later reported to have reached Sicily!

The school would like to thank the Socrates Office for giving the opportunity to widen the horizons and De La Salle looks forward to further involvement in this scheme.