November.docx
November / December, 2011
News from the Director – Ron Stiles
There is very little more to be said then beyond the excellent learning and educational experiences within the school curriculum itself, our staff and students have also been very busy in the Arts. Apart from the regular Art classes that integral to our style of teaching, there has been a larger push due to preparations for our Christmas Markets and school wide production of “The Nutcracker”.
The Christmas Markets themselves raised over 17 thousand CZK. We thank all of the Sunny Canadian community who stopped by and helped to make it such a success, as well as Janette Vargaestok, who organized the event. We plan to use the money to buy a memorial tree for our school yard, but the rest of the money will be donated to a worthy cause. As we did last year by supporting the construction of a new school building in Tanzania, we continue our philanthropy this year by sending this money to Ray of Light Orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Please visit their website for more details on how the money will be used help bring hope to these children: http://www.rayoflightcambodia.com/Ray_of_Light_Cambodia/Welcome.html
On the second day of the Christmas Markets, we also enjoyed an exhibition of some of the extra courses we offer. This was also a great success, well attended and appreciated by those who came and filled our gym with flashing cameras! Thank-you to Pavla Banasova, Lucie Hahnova, Jana Marunova and Eva Jelinkova for organizing, and of course our wonderful leaders of the extra courses themselves for preparing our students for the show!
Speaking of shows, a lot of time and energy went into the Sunny Canadian and Prague Film and Theatre Center’s production of “the Nutcracker” which was performed for a full house in Jesinice City Hall on December 15th. I think we can all agree that it was a wonderful event for the whole community, and that our students really put on a stunning performance of the timeless Christmas musical. Thank-you for everyone who contributed in bringing this wonderful gift to us! I am sure that we will look back on this a highlight of our year. A special thank-you to the show’s Director, Ms. Lindsey Stewart.
Visitors to Sunny Canadian
1) We had the pleasure of hosting an International Teachers’ Conference, who were much impressed with what they saw and included the following in their report to the European Commission as an examples of good practice in Sunny Canadian:
· Practical teaching methodology used – hands on learning approach
· Learning related to environment – forest school, gardens, and classes in teepees
· Small class sizes (max 16)
· Bilingual staff
· Excellent building & facilities both inside and outside
· Practical methodological approach to reading, with good resources
· Out of class support for children with difficulties
· Timetable organized with 15 minute break between lessons.
2) Another professional visit in November included sharing good practice in teaching English with other teachers and schools in Stredocesky kraj as a part of our ongoing cooperation with the European Union KOKOS (Kooperace a konkurenceschopnost) project.
3) We also welcomed Marian Jelinek, former personal trainer of Jaromir Jagr, and currently coaching in Plzen, as he took time out of his busy schedule and delivered two sessions of questions and answers to our elementary school audience in the gymnasium.
4) There were two external lectures, both delivered by Mr. Vacha and supported by the European Union, which presented important topics to the sixth grade on the dangers of smoking, and how to handle and avoid bullying.
5) We trust you all have enjoyed the photographs that happened at the end of November, and hope that you were able to get a little extra something in time for Christmas!
We have truly had a wonderful and busy post-Hallowe’en season leading us into Christmas and the winter break. We wish you all a very merry Christmas, safe travels and a happy, healthy new year!