European Day of Languages


Grove School marked the European Day of Languages with an afternoon of activities to raise international and linguistic awareness. Students spent time taking part in a range of activities based on the theme of welcome in countries North, South, East or West of Market Drayton working cooperatively in mixed age tutor groups.

North house students in Mrs Warner’s group, for example, made traditional Scottish foods,
whereas Miss Feeley’s team from South house learnt Pidgin English and built model mud huts
for their project on Papua New Guinea.

Mr Charnley’s tutor group learnt some Spanish and tried Salsa dancing! Sporting activities included
Tae Kwando, Irish Dancing and Learning to do the Haka.

Russian and Bulgarian students Ramina Jones and Danii Pavlova taught their tutor groups some of their mother tongue and alphabet which gave members of their tutor group an insight into the frustrations
of not only learning a another language but a new alphabet too!

Students in Miss Riley’s tutor group created some fabulous Japanese hats and learned Japanese words to help them find their way around in Japan. And as well as learning to count to ten in Chinese,
Mrs Wright’s group had great fun trying to eat with chop sticks!

The skills of Mrs Upton’s and Mr Fowell’s tutor groups produced a spectacular Chinese Dragon
and an African Safari from an artistic perspective.

Other tutors also displayed hidden talents. Mr Thomas demonstrated his ability to converse in Welsh,
Mr Higginson in Polish and Mr Sterling in Finnish!!

“Brilliant! Far better than I expected. Tutors were very enthusiastic and all thought it was worthwhile. Tutor groups worked together and many tutors were surprised by the learning that took place.”
Jenny Harrison, Head of East House

Fabulous displays have been created and can be seen around the school.

Essential Finnish - with Mr Sterling	New Zealand - Maori and the Haka with Miss Murphy
Japan - Eating with chopsticks - Miss Riley	Papua New Guinea - Pidgin English and hut building - Miss Feeley
	Miss Moorat and Mr Harrison's tutor group came to terms with the difficulties of a brand new alphabet. Students from Russia and Bulgaria taught the new letters and some useful phrases.