PARENT MESSAGES

If you have the opportunity please write a message for the children in Madrid.

Friday , 20th March 2009

Friday, 20th March 2009:
A good nights sleep had by all. Well, at least by Mr Ludlow and Mr Evans. The boys, had a mission to stay awake most of the night and almost achieved their goal. Fortunately, Miss McHolm, Miss Dean’s and Mrs Leigh’s room was the nearest to theirs. Whoops! Sorry ladies. Another year when the men sleep through the noise and the female staff dutifully make numerous visits to the boys room, oh and one or two to the girls as well. And as for making their own beds, well the girls win hands down.

Mr Ludlow was impressed with the mess that can be made by boys after only one night. Theo gets first prize. But to be honest the logic of spreading EVERY item over the floor to make it much easier to locate items was an interesting one. Mr Evans and Miss McHolm have followed Theo’s guide to organising your room. Breakfast, consisting of a loaf of bread, cake and jam was had by all whilst plans for the day were shared with enthusiasm.

Setting off in the sun, the party of sixteen ventured out into the bright sunshine. Only a few hundred metres down the road it was noticed that poor Katie was limping badly. Such a star, not a word of complaint. We stopped off at a pharmacy to buy some blister pads only to be told that we should take her to the doctor. The SUPER team went into action. Miss McHolm and Manuela split from the party. After treatment she was feeling fine, walking without pain. Her return to the group was greeted with hugs and smiling faces by all. A call was made home and all was well.
We took the children through the city, pointing out the Pension where the staff would stay. We headed towards the Parque del Retiro. On arrival, Mr Ludlow and Mrs Leigh peeled off towards the embassy, whilst Mr Evans and Mrs Dean took the children over to the park for a drink, an ice-cream and a play.

After thirty minutes in the embassy it became clear we would need the four children who required emergency passports to have their photo for ID purposes. Mr Ludlow stepped into the telephone box and appeared wearing red underpants over his trousers and a big S on his shirt (only joking kids!). Meeting Mr Evans, as they where leaving the park, a smooth hand over took place. It could have been a James Bond spy movie. Off to the Consulate again to meet M. The children thought this was quite exciting, going through the very tight security. The consulate were really helpful, I fully recommend them, but not too often! All checks done, photos taken, identities established and then we were off again to meet the rest of the party, in Bond style, just at the nick of time for the visit to the palace.

How beautiful, just like home. Patrick, the Spanish teacher greeted us and then we walked past the snaking queue of people and went in a special guest entrance. Each child was fitted with their James Bond ear piece and we were off. The guide pointed out the key features of this amazing building. Evelyn had the quote of the day, when the guide pointed to the Frescos she commented that they were nicer than her Hanna Montana picture she had on her ceiling. A challenge for mum and dad to get their paint brushes out in the style off Tiepolo (impressive knowledge, ah). The guide was interested that the children were learning Spanish. She encouraged them to ask her questions in Spanish. I hope she wasn’t expecting questions about the palace. They asked how old she was, where did she live, what was her favourite colour and not to forget the other vital question, “what is your favourite pet?”. Well at least the children’s Spanish is better than Mr Ludlow’s. There was a small clue that the children were getting tired. Near the end of the tour the guide was talking enthusiastically, pointing to historic artefacts when she turned around all the children were sitting or lying on the floor! Maybe they were admiring the marble decoration? Energy soon returned when the word shopping was mentioned.

Off we went to the Plaza Mayor via many famous sites and the odd building site.

Yippee, time to buy all those useful gifts! The days events culminated in a warm greeting by all the host families and children. Hugs and kisses were had by all. The Spanish staff explained that the families had booked a coach and on Saturday all the children would meet to go on a group trip. What a great idea and very reassuring that the children would meet each other.

Adios for now. We look forward to meeting the children at school on Monday morning and updating the Blog further.

Thursday, 19th March 2009

The Madrid 2009 exchange group.

It is Thursday morning, 19th March 2009. The sun rising over Strensall. All is quiet at Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School. Suddenly our senses are awakened by the sound of sizzling bacon and the soft aroma of coffee wafting from the school kitchen. Something must be happening? This is not an ordinary day. The excitement is brewing as children start to arrive laiden with luggage. The Madrid trip is about to begin. Em not a bad opening Mr Lees! Not sure whether I could achieve Level 5!
Sixteen children and their parents gather in the Brown Hall from 7.30 am. Thanks to Mrs Tottie who has been busy making breakfast and Mr Ludlow’s packed lunch. Better to forget that rather than the passports. Now where did I put the passports? Joking!
The journey on the coach was without hitch. A Harry Potter movie played keeping the children amused whilst giving Mr Ludlow the opportunity to have a snooze! The first “How long will it be?” came from Resul at 10.20 am. Not bad Resul you lasted an hour and a half, only another seven hours to go!! We stopped off at a service station for an impromptu Happy Birthday cake for Katrina. Thank you Miss McHolm. The children hit the shop. Why go to Madrid when you could spend your money in the motorway services? Mr Ludlow’s Bank was opened for Theo. I want my money back Theo, shame the interest rates are so low! Grant, who wins the competition for forgetting all his toiletries, purchased the latest item in fashion, a toothbrush! And Mr Evans purchased some intellectual reading material! The Sun!

Mrs Gibbon, Chair of Governors, wishing the group well.

Arrival at Liverpool Airport:

“We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submar..” , STOP singing Mr Ludlow! The team gathered around the Yellow Submarine sculpture for yet another group photo. With some great enthusiastic singing by William and Jayden. A history lesson was had by all as Mr Evans explained that once upon a time, in the olden days there was a group of singers that had an amazing impact on music, the group was called Abba. Whoops! Rewind! It must be the Christmas X-Factor experience that has gone to his head. The statue of John Lennon in the check-in hall was a clue. Yes, another opportunity for a group photo shoot. Everyone appreciated the musical history lesson of the Beatles and after two minutes headed off to have lunch. Manuela, Miss McHolm, Miss Dean and Mrs Leigh tucked into healthy snacks and sandwiches. Well our joint curriculum theme is on healthy lifestyles. Mr Evans obliged by agreeing to be the control study group member and tucked into sausage, egg and chips. We will be keeping a close watch to see which members of staff put on most weight. Now as for travel tips, we have discovered that Stephanie and Alex are the ones to ask. The quote of the day from Alex is that, “less is more!” and Stephanie can give an extensive detailed analysis of packing techniques. All the children and most staff safely went through security, no liquids, that is except Mr Ludlow. Mrs Lobb did a great job making sure he had everything needed for emergencies, including the small sachets of liquid to clean wounds. It was almost like a Mr Bean film, one security guard gets another, twenty questions and then finally they let him through. Was this a plot to leave him behind?

Arrival in Madrid:
All was going so well, famous last words! We arrived safely, collected bags and off we went to the metro. Unfortunately, we became victims of a pick pocket. We think it happened whilst gathering at the ticket barrier. Mrs Leigh´s bag was undone and her groups passports and her personal money was stolen (parents have been contacted of children that are involved). But the show goes on. Whilst travelling to the Youth Hostel plans were in place to report the loss and to work out how to get emergency passports. We arrived safely at the Youth Hostel and were greeted by the Spanish staff which was wonderful to see. We were a few minutes late because Mr Ludlow took a short detour. Next time please read the map Mr Ludlow! The children settled into their luxury apartment with Resul making frequent visits to the drinks and sweet machine wearing away the marble staircase.
Now off to VIPS, a dining experience not to be missed, except if you are a romantic couple sharing a special moment at the adjacent table! The children sat down to a quiet meal, well if that’s possible with eight boys conducting balloon experiments and girls concocting revolting mixtures with ice-cream , sauces and salt. The romantic couple enjoyed every moment!
A lovely finish to a busy day culminated in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday Katrina with cake and candles to send us to bed and hopefully a good nights sleep.

PHOTOS: Madrid school in York

Hasta Manana

Tuesday was the last day in School.

Visit to York

Monday Afternoon:

In the afternoon the Spanish children and their teachers took went to the city. They travelled by service bus from strensall. These pictures are of the group in front of York Minster, taking the annual group photo.

On the City Walls, walking from Bootham Bar to Monkbar (the gateways into the city).

Whist in York the children walked through the old cobbled streets to the Shambles. We discovered that Spanish children are the same as English children! Did they marvel at the beautiful architecture? Did they want to know about the history? Well maybe! But most imprortantly they enjoyed spending their money. Thank you children for helping the economy :-)

Read more about the shambles by visiting the following web-sitsite:http://www.insideyork.co.uk/shambles

York Trip Photos

During the weekend the Spanish children stayed with the host families.

BOWLING: On Monday,after school, we all went bowling.