Ölduselsskóli , Öldusel 17 109 Reykjavík Iceland Moving together in a Healthy European Way Meeting in Iceland April 29th – May 5th 2018 Newsletter 5 Monday morning was the first day at school for the visitors. The whole school Ölduselsskóli community gathered in the school’s hall Reykjavík where we had a warm welcome. Then all of Iceland us went to classrooms and the day was We were happy to host teachers and dedicated to our handicraft classrooms. students for a week in the end of April and Both teachers and students got a chance to beginning of May 2018 in our school see how much effort our teachers put in Ölduselsskóli, Öldusel 17, Reykjavik, their teaching in cooking, textiles, Iceland. Fourteen students and twelve woodwork, music and art. students from the participating countries in the Erasmus+ project „Move together in a Healthy European Way“. Our guests came from France, Hungary, Italy and Poland. We are very thankful for our great staff at our school who made it possible for us to have a great week and to show our guests what our school stands for and our daily routine in learning and teaching and to be able to show them our nature and some of Iceland´s hotspots as well. We also would like to thank the families who hosted the students and did such a great job in making them feel like home. The weather in Iceland is very unpredictable and it sure was this week. We had snow in the beginning of May, rain, In the afternoon Sunneva the Icelandic sunshine, cold and it was quite windy too project manager had a very good lecture some days. But it didn´t seem to bother our about health and how the school system guests at all although it did force us to can influence students in a healthy living. make some changes in our schedule. Tuesday May 1st is Labor day in Iceland and is a holiday. We grabbed the chance and took our guests along with their hosting of sculptures lovely to look at. On the way students the Golden circle. We started the you can see the remains of the first farm day by visiting a geothermal power station built in Breiðholt and more sculptures and got a good view of the Icelandic way og made by the Icelandic artist Ásmundur producing power. We had a quick stop in Sveinsson. The border between the city of Hveragerdi a town in the south and went to Reykjavik and Kopavogur is one of the an earth quick museum. For lunch, we interesting stops on the path and it has an stopped in Fridheimar which is a farm amazing view around the city area with beautiful mountains like Esjan, Keilir and famous for growing tomatoes, making the Snæfellsjökull. We were lucky that the best tomato soup in Iceland and breeding weather this day let us enjoy the view. horses. After lunch we saw an amazing show where the Icelandic horse was in the leading role. The afternoon we spent visiting Gullfoss, Geysir and Þingvellir which is the only place in Iceland on the UNESCO list. Wednesday was spent at school and going the walking trail in the school´s Wednesday’s afternoon was dedicated to the participants’ country dances. Everyone gathered in the schools’ hall where they saw the dancing skills and wonderful dances from each country. Italian, Icelandic and Polish students danced live while Hungary and France brought videos from home which their students danced in. neighborhood. About fifty students and Wednesday evening the students went to a teachers walked the path and looked at the big sport competition which is held every landmarks around Breiðholt. Next to the year and the participants are every school an Icelandic artist is located and a lot elementary school in the country. The adults enjoyed a visit to the Blue all year around and enjoy the water which Lagoon and had a a wonderful time. is possible because of the geothermal heat in the country. Ölduselsskóli had planned to have a spring festival but unfortunately it had to be The last visit before heading home was the postponed because of a bad weather local sport club and a presentation from forecast. Instead teachers and students the head coach about the work there. spent their day visiting the city center of Children in Breiðholt can practice football, Reykjavik and went up to the tower of handball, basketball, track and field, Hallgrímskirkja to look at the view over the taekwondo, Judo, skiing, Karate and more. city. The group walked around the city Friday evening it was time to say good bye center by the parliament and through city and all the hosting families and the guests hall also the group saw an expo at Harpa met for a meal and it was obvious which was breathtaking with images of all friendship between these countries had the must-see places in Iceland. been made and all the participants will A kindergarten in the neighborhood was benefit from this great experience. visited by the teachers and the group had a chance to see how young children in Iceland spend their day in playing and learning in a healthy environment. Meanwhile the students took a cooking class at Ölduselsskóli. In the afternoon, the guests and their hosting students met at Ölduselsskóli and used the time to get to know each other a little better and having free time playing games which required movement and running. The last day at Ölduselsskóli was Friday May 1st and everyone woke up and saw a white ground which was a big surprise for both locals and guests. Again, the schedule had to be changed as it was planned to go outside and play Frisbee golf but the school Thank you France, Hungary, Italy and has a good Frisbee golf course right very Poland for your wonderful company this close to the school. Students and teachers week in Iceland. spent their morning visiting more classrooms and went swimming in one of many swimming pools around Reykjavik. In Iceland, it is very cultural to go swimming We visited a kindergarten too. It is completely different in France, it was very interesting to compare. Throughout the stay, the Icelandic team allowed us to discover a country with incredible landscapes. The practice of Ecole du Clos Perrine hiking is done in a fantastic environment. Mannevillette We enjoyed the trip to “Golden circle” France really much, and also the visit of Reykjavik. In this spring, all the French staff had the Although we did not take children with us (concerning they were in spring holidays) we really enjoyed the company of the local and guest school pupils (Polish, Italian students) around us. They were so friendly; it was easier because some had received our students at previous meetings. Concerning the project, the presentation of the work on the dances and the discovery of the hiking path was a highlight for all. privilege to spend a lively and dynamic The snow in May did not bother us; week in Iceland. First, the welcoming meal however, some activities had to be was an opportunity to review all the switched. partners of the project, which we had not Special thanks to Margret, Sunneva, seen for a few months in Poland. Berglind and Linda for their patience and During the meeting, we were warmly availability. welcomed by all Icelandic teachers and the educational team. We visited a big part of the school where everyone answered with pleasure to our questions. We have uncovered methods, forms of work, the assessment system and the learning conditions of the students. We were surprised to see young people working, talking in every corner of the school. In primary school, teamwork and the fact of being able to make small groups in additional rooms seemed interesting. John von Neumann University Petőfi Sándor Gyakorló Általános Iskola és Óvoda We also liked the walking trial together Kecskemét HUNGARY with all the pupils from partner countries. Two of us from Hungary had the priviledge During the free time periods we rushed to to take part in the fifth project meeting in discover Rejkyavik. Although the city is not Iceland. We enjoyed a cosy hotel and that big, we could always explored new friendly hotel staff during our stay. parts. Although we are pre-school teachers we And the Blue Lagoon, of course. Another were interested really much in the daily life Icelandic place never to forget. The water of an upper primary school. we could is like silk, sitting in it with nice company observe how easy going most of the and with a glass of drink is a miracle. students are, friendly and happy with each other. We were really interested in the kindergarten, to observe the differencies We were surprised by the „dressing code” and similarities in the daily life of early of the pupils. Track suits and trainers, childhood education. Children were happy comfortable leisure cloth. We enjoyed the and smiling. school, the lunches together with the students and teachers and the helpful, It seemed a bit less organized than our way welcoming and hard working kitchen staff. of school life, but definitely all the little ones felt free and at ease and that was The Golde Circle trip was really something what really mattered. to remember, especially the green house with the tomatoes and the delicious bread. Thank you Icelandic school staff, we really Misterious place is the geysir, a nice hot appreciated your hospitality, sport in the freezing weather. Judit, Márta the students could perform carpentry crafting, cutting and sewing textiles, etc.