Day of conservation

We all gathered at St Benedicts School at 8:45 in the morning. It was obvious that every body was very tired as the early mornings and active itinery were catching up on us all, nevertheless, we were excited for the day ahead...

We split up into small groups and travelled to Clintz Quarry in Egremont. Upon arrival, those who were prepared changed their shoes as it was obvious that we were going to get pretty muddy. We met Kevin, who looks after Clintz Quarry for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, who own the quarry, who introduced us to the nature reserve and talked us through the history of it, and the wildlife species whom currently live there. 

We then made our way through the quarry, passing species such as wild strawberries and baby chicks nesting in the cliff face. We arrived at our work area, where we were set the task of cutting down willow trees to burn to promote reservation of the quarry. 


Despite the fact that it was so early in the morning and the sun was beating down on us (for once), we all got ourselves equipped with saws and loppers and began hacking at the trees. Me and Kelsey began to cut small branches off a tree, when Aizeck showed us the real way by cutting down the entire tree. From then on, we cut and cut and cut for at least 2 hours before we decided to have an elongated dinner break.

All the teams done extremely well and we managed to create 2 successful fires, although Lilian had to save the day by putting part of it out before we set a forest fire (oops!)








Amy

Tanzanian's visit to St Ben's

Today was a fantastic day as my school was able to host our Tanzanian visitors. There was complete variety on the day and our visitors were able to see many subjects that my school (St. Benedicts Catholic High School) had to offer.

All students participated in the PE session in the first lesson of the day. The boys played quick cricket and this got pretty competitive particularly in the timed innings, but was very fun. Following this we split off into groups to explore different subjects which we were assaigned to. I, along with a few others, went to Performing Arts to teach and learn some dances, We learnt "Morris Dancing" which was a typical British dance and a tanzanian dance which the students from Tanzania taught us. Before we left for Break we combined the two forms into a 'Tanzumbrian Cultural Dance' which was very fun and at times (when we got the movements wrong) amusing.

After break we were put into more groups so that we could go to more subject areas, me and Aizeck went to History where we learnt about certain Medieval Islamic practiced and discoveries. We found out that they the first to discover the length of the circumference of the earth and the first to establish the modern concept of universities. We also experienced the smells and tastes of some of medieval islamic foods, flat bread being my favourite! We then joined up with some more of the students to attend a Geography lesson where we learnt about Tanzania and some the animals and tribal people that can be found there. Ivan led a talk about this which i found incredibly insightful and interesting. After lunch I, along with a few tanzanian students, went to English where we were taught about some poetic techniques such as Onomatopeia and Alliteration and we were able to create our own rap around these.

Finally, we all went to Design and Technology where we designed and created key holders with our names, school logo and link logo ingraved on them. The machine that produced these was brilliant and went 2/3 times over each before they were ready to use. Overall a fantastic day and I hope the tanzanian students found it interesting and enjoyable.

Matthew

Day trip to Muncaster and Hardknott

On Wednesday, we all met at St Benedict's at 8:45. We got on the minibus and travelled to Eskdale to go and visit Hardknott Roman Fort. We had a trek up to the top which wasn't the easiest of things so early in the morning, plus it was very muddy. When we finally made it up, we had a look round and took some pictures.

Then we made the trek back down again, got back on the minibus and headed towards Dalegarth where we got on the lal ratty, many of us hadn't been on since we were young and only just realised how small the train was! We explained to the Tanzanians that our real trains weren't this small. After a 45 minute journey we reached Ravenglass where it was time to go to  Muncaster.

When we first arrived at Muncaster, the Tanzanian students were playing on the park but when we finally got them off it we went and ate our dinners.
Then we went to the meadow vole maze, the Tanzanians seemed to enjoy it and found it funny/scary when you went the wrong way and the big animals were there with their eyes lighting up. Gama didn't like the end part where it goes dark and the fans start blowing, I think he was glad to get out!

After that, we had a walk around and then went to see the bird show. Then we went on the tour round the Castle which they seemed interested in, we were telling Aizeck and Rooney about the ghosts in Muncaster.
Finally we watched a bit of the Heron feed before setting back off for home.

Chloe

Thanks to at the la'al Ratty (ravenglass-railway.co.uk) and Muncaster Castle  (www.muncaster.co.uk) for making it such a great day.

Primary and Farm Madness!

This morning, we had the pleasure of visiting St Begh’s primary school where we performed various Tanzanian songs and dances to a bunch of fascinated children. We then also gave them the chance to participate, letting them slot in between us and teaching them how to dance to ‘Timoti Sosi.’ Then we split into smaller groups and visited the children in their classrooms while they worked and allowed them to ask any questions to our Tanzanian friends.

After lunch we then got back on the minibus, having had to literally prise children off Kelsey as she struggled to leave the gates, and travelled to Beckermet primary. The children were so friendly and welcoming. We again performed some dance moves and Chotta even had a go in their play!

Next we went to Brackenthwaite farm in Wilton. Our generous hosts first gave us refreshments of cake and milk which they’d produced on the farm, before we went out to watch the farmer herding in the cows. We also got to watch them being milked, and Rooney and Dianne even went down to help, despite getting covered in cow faeces and urine.

 Gama didn't like the smell!

All in all, everyone had a fantastic day despite the not so fantastic weather!

Dani!

Bupe's UK experience so far

Bupe

Swimming DaySwimming was very good because I was enjoyed many thing like swimming style was very nice to me and was the first time to swim in the pool so I say thank you for those who sent me to the place.                          

Church  On Sunday   morning were going to church with my horst friend at St. Michael’s Workington. In the church were seven members and two priest, but in the Church I saw many things like too much talking without singing dancing, and I enjoyed the good words from psalm so this words make me to happy.

Chantelle
Tuesday - Swimming - she loved it / NON SWIMMERS CLINIC - with a teacher, both pools open
Wednesday - Theatre Crazy - Bupe joined in Baby Tap , Ballet, lesson then later she done the Adult cheer stunt class, and a little Gymnastics.
Thursday - we went shopping, she came home, and was singing and dancing to Tanzanian CD we got the music from You Tube - she loves you tube – she also asked to put some make – up on
Friday - 2 Hour bike ride (she loved bike riding) - Visited Curwen Castle - told her about the history of Mary Queen of Scot's, went to the shore, ' toe dipping in the freezing cold weather'
Sat - Don's Big BBQ
Sun - Church 11.00am & bowling / she phoned home
Monday - Cinema
& onto the Tour of the Church - 65 ft high roof top, heard the people ring the bells, very high and scary - she saw the whole town at a height. He gave her some souvenirs.

An evening at the bowling alley

This evening we met in Workington to play a game of bowling, which was a first for many of the Tanzanian Students.

We were split into three teams of six and I was in a team with Bupe, Rooney, Alice, Kira and Lucy. Rooney turned out to be very good at bowling and was even offering the others advise on how to play. However Kira won overall with over 100 points! Unfortunately I wasn’t very good and came last out of our team.

 

It was a fun night out and some of the Tanzanian students were able to try new food and drink. There was no singing and dancing tonight, but I’m sure we have lots more to come over the rest of the visit.

Claire

Rooney's first night with Kelsey

Today Rooney and I went to Whitehaven School and we participated in many activities. Firstly we had a PE lesson where we played soft ball outside, Rooney first of all found the game confusing but when he got the idea of the game he found it very enjoyable.

We then went on to food tech, and made rice salad this was really fun because we got to work with some of the Whitehaven students and was this a good chance for all the boys to learn to cook.

We then had another PE lesson however, this time we were inside and were playing a game called ‘dodge ball’. All the Tanzanians really got into the game.

The geography lesson was good as all the Whitehaven students got to ask the Tanzanians questions and the Tanzanians received lots of new information.

After our day at Whitehaven School I went to collect Rooney from St Bees. I was very excited about the prospect of him coming to stay with us and when he got in the car we listened to Rihanna all the way home.

I showed him round the house and then afterwards we met up with Amy, Chloe and Gama. We played football land they taught us many skills. It was non-stop running around for 2 hours, no wonder we were so tired!

When we got back home we ate tea which was fish, chips and peas while listening to Tanzanian music. Rooney seemed very happy.

I also showed him all the technology in the house and gave him an ipod,and showed him how the 3D television worked, he is also having fun learning the functions on his new mobile phone!

Overall I think Rooney has enjoyed his first day with us.

Kelsey