With the leadership of Mrs Young, Dreams and Teams was introduced to the Girls Model as a continuation of Top Link Festival. The purpose of this team was to communicate with a group of young people in Sri Lanka and organize 10 festivals throughout the year. In 2007 our school linked with the pupils from a Sri Lankan school, called Anulla Vidulia, and organised a number of sports festivals through the Dreams and Teams scheme. Our school corresponded via video conferencing and shared ideas about the festivals to be organized using new technology to create a wider school community. Relationships were created increasing the cultural understanding and awareness of those girls involved. It was important that the Sri Lankan pupils were involved in the organization of the festivals as they visited our school to watch and take part in September 2007. During this visit the pupils met the team which consisted of:
• Colleen Mann
• Carole Grant
• Sheena Mann
• Lauren Cummings
• Rachel Glenn
• Vickey King
• Nicky Rowntree
This visit was both exciting for those pupils involved as well as the teachers who participated.
What activities did the festival have?
During the teams visit in September they got the opportunity to participate in one of the festivals that was organised with the Sri Lankan school. The actual festival was based on hockey and the pupils got involved and took part and found it a lot of fun. It allowed the visitor to experience the enjoyment in participating in the activities organized by our team first hand.
Did the team do anything else while the Sir Lankan pupils were here?
To allow the pupils to experience the social side to GMS, the team went to Indian Ocean for a meal, had shopping trips in the city centre, and had a party in Carol Grant’s house (head girl) while we were there we had a barbeque, went quad biking and played on a trampoline. All the girls from both our school and the Sri Lankan school had a lot of fun with the activity packed trip!
The festival and events went really well and this year we have continued to communicate with the Sri Lankan’s and we are heading there in June 2008 to enjoy their culture for a week!