10 Mar 2009 - Reggio Project Group Meeting- Parkview school

Deborah Anderson and Roisin Gallagher presented an overview of the Comenius partner meeting in Sweden.

 

The presentation can be downloaded below as individual files.

 

MINUTES OF REGGIO PROJECT MEETING

 

HELD AT PARKVIEW SCHOOL

 

TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2009  

 

 

 

A full list of those who attended the meeting is attached.

 

 

Apologies: Lois Wilson, Debbie Assink – Pond Park Nursery School

 

 

Welcome:

 

 The meeting tonight focused on a presentation by Deborah and Roisin of the recent Comenius visit to Orebro, Sweden.  They included photographs from both the February 2009 and May 2008 visits.   The presentation:

 

·         outlined the strong links between school and home and the involvement of parents at all stages.

 

·         showed some of the various types of documentation displayed at the school – written, photographs, paintings etc.

 

·         showed the Swedish school project on planets

 

 

The presentation is available to view on Brefne Nursery School’s website – www.brefne.ik.org

 

 

 

Roisin showed a booklet with minutes and photos of the last Comenius visit to Sweden in February.

 

 

Deborah highlighted the different attitude to health and safety.  A child who had climbed on to the roof of a playhouse was praised for his achievement, not told how dangerous it was.

 

 

Deborah also explained how the children were asked to talk about their photographs and pictures – not the adult saying what they think. 

 

 

On her return to school, Deborah carried out an exercise with her class, asking the children what they think the teacher’s role is.  The outcome generally was carer and helper.

 

 

 

Questions

 

 

Tracey asked about outdoor play in Sweden.

 

Deborah explained that they follow the children’s lead if possible. They use both indoors and outdoors as much as possible to facilitate learning.

 

 

Dawn asked about project work we had seen.

 

Some of the projects were the ant hill, space project, music and art project with younger children. It was pointed out that sometimes the staff do present opportunities which encourage children along a possible path.

 

The importance of re-visiting the projects was highlighted.

 

 

A question was asked about Spain

 

Deborah and Roisin explained how important their culture was and that the local authorities put funds in to facilitate work in these areas.

 

 

Janet talked about the Swedish school who went off into the forest almost every day on the local bus.  Children are outdoors as much as possible in both Finland and Sweden.

 

 

A question was asked – should we put coats on before going outside all the time or should the children decide?

 

 

 

Dawn said we should try and keep the momentum going for these meetings, even if the projects were coming to an end.  It was suggested that we could look closer to home and find out what was happening in Scotland, England or Wales. 

 

 

Deborah suggested asking any teachers in the Belfast Board who would be interested to come to a meeting at Brefne on 18^th May, when Comenius partners are here – possibly in the evening.

 

 

Dawn asked if list of people attending this meeting could be forwarded to her so that she could liaise with others about what is happening.

 

 

Dawn thanked everyone for attending the meeting.  The meeting ended at 9.00 p.m.

 

Present at the meeting:

 

 

From SEELB:                                                Dawn Crosby

 

                                                                   Judith Patterson

 

                                                                   Sharon Graham

 

                                                                   Peter McAlister

 

 

From Early Years:                                        Roisin McGrann

 

 

From Parkview School:                                  Linda Ferris

 

                                                                   Ruth Morris

 

 

From Pond Park Nursery School:                   Janet Armstrong

 

                                                                   Grace Davin

 

                                                                   Allison Marsden

 

                                                                   Pat McCurley

 

                                                                   Nadine McCoosh

 

                                                                   Roisin Gallagher

 

 

From Brefne Nursery School:                       Deborah Anderson

 

                                                                   Bernie McCool

 

 

From Barbour Nursery School:                      Tracey Cassells

 

 

From Ballynahinch Nursery Unit:                   Zanne Pinkerton

 

 

From Dundela Infants Nursery:                    Emma Davin

 

                                                                   Kathy Collins

 

 

From Glenbrook Nursery:                             Hazel Grange

 

 

From Bangor Central Nursery School:           Deirdre Martin

 

 

From Newcastle P.S. Nursery Unit:               Annabel Bradshaw

 

                                                                   Vicky Neeson

 

 

From CCAP International Pre-School:            Diane Cusick