Visit to the UK
It is said that the best experiences of ones life are attained outside our comfort zone. Our tour to Devon (United Kingdom) was one such experience.
On 15th may Mr Henry Mascharenhas and I (Ms Lavina Castelino) flew to the United Kingdom. Though we had travelled to many places this was the most unique experience. We had so many questions in our mind about the new partnership school the students and the faculty. After around 10 hours of flying we reached the Heathrow airport. Mr Mathew Harts, the GSP Co-ordinator was waiting to welcome us with a broad smile. He drove us down to Devon to his home in Braunton. We both got a warm welcome from his family. They really took good care of us for the rest of the days and made our stay very comfortable. The love and concern of Mr Ian Thomas and his family including the head teacher Mrs Flaming and the faculty of the school greatly touched us.
On the 18th we visited the Pilton Blue COAT Parish SCHOOL. It was an exciting visit to the school. The infrastructure was unique. We were given a warm welcome during the assemblies of different levels of school. We visited all the classes right from the Kindergarten to the Seventh Standard. We had many sessions where we answered queries of the students. We shared our projects with the GSP students and they worked out the worksheets we provided. The students as well as teachers were loving and caring. The motto of the school were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-Love, Joy, Peace, kindness, gentleness, self control, patience, understanding and charity. It was an enriching experience.
We also got opportunities to visit Torrington, Braunton, Devon, Woolercombe, Ilfracoombe and Barnstaple beaches. It was a great pleasure to visit London and view the historical and world famous places. We tasted British breakfast and the Meals too. We visited the homes of faculty members. A Global Evening programme was arranged by the school during which we had an opportunity to participate in the May Pole Dance. It was a memorable experience.
On the last day of the week Friday the 23rd May Mr Ian Thomas, Mr Henry Mascharenhas, Mr Mathew Harts and I had a meeting with the head teacher regarding the further projects for the partnership. This exchange programme has really been a good learning experience for us we learnt various methodologies of teaching learning aspects.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude towards the British Council for funding out trip. We remain grateful to our Manager Rev. Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza and our Principal Rev. Fr Michael Lobo for continuing this Global Exchange programme.
