Kathryn Morgan

We planned for St. David’s Day together in one of our workshop sessions. We thought of a parade followed by a small Eisteddfod. But you know how these things tend to grow! We ended up with 9schools participating and approximately two thousand children!!! All seven schools that we work with took part plus two other high schools turned up and contributed too.

We hoped the weather would be kind to us as there had been rain earlier in the week – and the rain here is something else!! The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky and it promised to be a beautiful day. The event started at 8.30am meeting at Moyeni Primary school. We eventually got the parade underway at about 9.20am. A surge of children waving Welsh and Lesotho flags they had made followed the large Welsh flags at the front. The children sang and danced as we went around Upper Moyeni. It was an amazing sight!

I had organised for the police to help with the parade and they arrived promptly – unusual for Basotho! They walked with us and dealt with traffic issues as well as helping to keep the children safe on the road.

This was followed by a Basotho style Eisteddfod in the grounds of Moyeni Primary School. I had organised a loud speaker system so we were able to introduce the items. We had poetry and a short story written by the high school students taught by Will; songs in Welsh and English from all the primary schools taught by Scott, Kim, Ellie, Ffion and myself; songs in Sesotho and some traditional dancing. The other two high schools sang a Welsh and Sesotho songs and danced traditional dances – even though they were not on the programme!

The whole day was absolutely amazing!

It will be a part of us all forever.

The Programme.

1.     Poem; Cultural Rainbow

2.    Villa Maria: Mamelang mohoo oa rona ; Bheso mamelang ; Din da oedd Dewi ; Marching to Heaven One Day.

3.    Short story; My Friends Story

4.    Poem: Good Nation

5.    Holy Trinity: I Like the Flowers; 2 Sesotho songs; Un bys, dau fys

6.    Poem; The Kingdom in the Sky

7.    Holy Infant; Sechaba Tholang le mamele; Ay lan y mor; Sehlabelo Saka Ke’na ka sebele

8.    Poem; Lesotho

9.    Poem; Kohle lo phela ke

10. Katleho; Clap clap un, dau, tri; Head Shoulders Knees and Toes sung in English, Sesotho and Welsh.   Drama linking St. David preaching the word of God to the people of Wales to the arrival of the missionaries in Lesotho; Song; Step by Step We Will Follow Jesus Christ.

11.  Poem; Ubuhle dhe nq ndawo

12. Poem; Lesotho

13. Phahameng: This Little Light of Mine English and Welsh; Diphotha – traditional dance; A Basotho dance

14. Moyeni; Sesotho dance; Welsh song; Sesotho song

15. National Anthems.

A full programme!!

Ellie Masters

Again I’ll start with.. What a couple of weeks we’ve had!!

So was very proud of all the schools I’d worked with after St Davids day, they all worked so hard and sang amazingly (As they always do, they really do just have natural talent).

Straight after our long St Davids day celebrations we had to go and sort out all of the school aid books which had been delivered. Was amazing to have so many books to give to the schools, but was a killer sorting well over three thousand books, especially after a really long day! Did treat ourselves in the evening though to some seriously good pizza, yes we’ve found a place that sells pizza, we never know what’s on it, but it tastes good!

Back to the hard graft of day to day work, and some grim weather, you’ll all be glad to hear!

We’ve actually had to wear trousers to school on a couple of days too!!

We’ve all been visiting other schools past few weeks, so I made the most of having Kim come to Holy Trinity. She helped teach a Pie Corbett lesson which the children absolutely loved, I don’t think they’ve ever seen anyone bounce around the classroom in that way! Also helped me to teach a really fun P.E lesson, again the children were just loving having balls which weren’t semi inflated or falling apart!

Holy Trinity are really lucky that they have a great space for the children to come and read, a lot especially the grade sevens still queue up at lunch times so that I can listen to them read. Hearing the children using what they have learnt in their phonics lessons is making things worthwhile!

Going to be doing some lesson with grade sevens on the computers in the next couple of weeks, as they don’t know how to turn one on or off, then hopefully they can be the ones to teach the younger years.

Kath came out to visit to see how much the teachers have been taking things on board, and to watch some team teaching, see if they have learnt any of the techniques which we have been doing with them. She came and watched grade threes teacher doing a phonics lesson, well I was like a proud mother watching her kid take their first steps, I couldn’t believe my eyes, she did everything so well, and the children really enjoyed the lesson. She was animated, walking around the room, praising, recapping work, the works. It was amazing!

So Villa Maria, what a school, as I’ve said I have to split my time between the two schools, so I spend three days a week in this school.

It’s such a huge school, and all the teachers are all wanting a piece of me (I can’t believe I’m this wanted!!) each year has two or three streams, so getting round everyone is tricky. I’m trying to get all the teachers to communicate effectively, so I’m not repeating lesson and we can make better progress as a school.

The teachers have been absolutely brilliant, and are taking on so much of what I’m asking them to do. I went into a class the other day just to pop in and ask her something and she was doing a brilliant phonics lesson on her own, doing everything that we do! Getting children up to create words using their phonics to help them spell.

Kath also came into watch some teaching in this school to. I’m so lucky that there is a teacher that will take on any challenge I set, so she taught a Pie Corbett lesson, which again, was brilliant, really taking everything on board!

Some of the spaces in this school make teaching a challenge, because the school is an old convent and they have to make use of every room. Grade three classes are in the old cold stores so try to imagine how dark and cramped it is. About half of the children have to do their work on their laps because there aren’t enough tables, and they keep their bags on their backs, because there isn’t any space for them to put them anywhere else.

The schools all got together (well 5 of them) and had athletics day, cannot believe the children, they’re so hard core, they all run bare foot, could you imagine in the UK running 1500m in bare foot, again crazy stuff!

The school had been practising so much during the week and I had been talking to the teacher in charge of athletics about warming up, and stretching (knew A-level P.E would come in useful one day, thanks Rachel Dathen) they have very little understanding about how the body and the muscles work. They asked me to go and do the warm up with the kids at the competition, was hilarious, standing in the middle of this field with so many children following me, other schools joined in too!! Kath and I watched with Villa Maria school. So many students had turned up to support, and were singing and dancing and cheering so loudly, there were trumpets and whistles, and they do this call which is very high pitched and is almost like them ‘LAing’ very quickly, we tried it and just sounded like strangled cats!

The children did so well, got some really talented runners in that school!

The social life is still pretty packed and exciting, thanks to our friends the Mitchells. Had and amazing walk up Mount Moorosi. Was really interesting to visit as it was where the British had battled with King Moorosi’s son in the 1800s, over hut tax (standard British and their taxes!) We found old shrapnel and bullet holes.

Had a lovely weekend away with the Mitchells on their farm in South Africa, beautiful place, and I went for an incredible ride with Kath and Scott up in the mountains, perfect way to take in the scenery for 3 hours on a crazy little pony that was so fast.

Went and saw some beautiful cave paintings, and swimming in a freezing waterfall!

We even managed to watch Wales play England (so annoying they lost!)

Got a packed few weeks ahead of us up till Easter, can’t believe we’re over half way through already, still so much to fit in!

Kim Tattum

So it’s been a little while since I last wrote a blog piece and a lot has happened since. I am truly settled in my working and living environment, I am almost fully Basotho! Working with the teachers at Phahameng Primary is a joy and the children are always so excited to have me teach!

Teaching at Phahameng

Since last time I have been officially observed by my Welsh mentor and everything went smoothly, I couldn’t have been happier. I have been showing the Basotho teachers the art of storytelling.  I recently introduced Pie Corbett style for the ‘Three Billy Goats Gruff’ and using cardboard puppets on sticks for ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. The teachers who observe me think I’m barking mad, because they don’t see teaching with that much enthusiasm and life normally. I just love to be silly and get into character! Needless to say they all find it very gripping and funny. 

The children enjoyed learning new vocabulary about their body in Grade 1, singing head, shoulders, knees and toes; Simon says,  and chalking a large body on the wall with labels. They were so keen to do their own; some used chalk to trace their friend’s body, others used items from the environment like sticks, stones and grass, to create a body. The children were so happy to be active.

I have been continuing my phonic sessions in the lower classes and have recently introduced it to the teenagers in my school; they are all grasping it very quickly. The teachers are amazed to have the tool of using phonics. Some of these teachers have struggled with English for many years, but now it’s beginning to make sense for the learners and teachers.

Visiting Ellie at Holy Trinity

I had the opportunity to visit Ellie in her school Holy Trinity last week. We were team teaching to show the Basotho teachers how it can be done. I also had the opportunity to help Ellie with her Physical Education lessons of throwing and catching skills, needless to say an extra pair of hands with so many children helped a great deal. I had a great day meeting staff and children in Holy Trinity but my heart is still in Phahameng Primary.

St David’s Day Celebration

St David’s Day celebration was amazing! In total 9 schools, approximately 2000 children parading with Wales and Lesotho flags, and performing in a Lesotho style Eisteddfod. A superb show! Of course Phahameng were the best in my eyes, they performed: ‘This little light of mine’ in English and Welsh, diphotha (boys dance) and traditional dance for the girls ‘mohiba’. I was very proud of all the children. Their behaviour and concentration levels were outstanding, 7 hours in the heat of the day, was very impressive.

Moyeni Primary Celebrate Moshoeshoe Day

Moyeni Primary celebrated the founder of their country King Moshoeshoe, by wearing traditional costume, eating traditional food, dancing, singing, races. Everyone was so happy. A wonderful day to mark a special occasion! Words cannot do the event justice!

Reading partnership

I have been assisting my Welsh colleague at a different primary with reading scheme involving high school students. We have held a few workshops and now the students are implementing what they have learnt with the children from the partnering primary. A few times I have shed a tear; it’s very overwhelming to see the students do such a great job with the little children. They have so much enthusiasm for storytelling and encouraging them to read with plenty of affection. A very fond memory that I shall keep forever!

 As a result of this success and the help of school aid books, Scott and I will be working together to transform their dull, uninviting library into a welcoming space. Watch this space!!

Athletics day

The Basotho people take their athletics very seriously; the whole school has been attending after school athletics 4 nights a week since February and this will continue. Some were competing whilst others were cheering with songs.

Athletics day was held at a school called Pokane, it was a whole day event where schools from the district competed. Phahameng had amazing results. The children were fed bread and milk at the event, and the athletes had an extra apple as a big well done! The staff were catered for with rice, chicken and coleslaw, a very delightful meal. Phahameng’s spirit and dedication for each other is amazing!

Cultural Experiences

Church

I have attended church, the Basotho people are very religious and love to sing and dance in worship. The Basotho have great rhythm and in their ceremonies often have the beat of a steel drum, it automatically puts a smile on your face even if you can’t contribute to the Sesotho songs.  A 2 hour ceremony: singing, dancing and preaching, a very joyous occasion.

Funeral

Unfortunately Lesotho is known as ‘Kingdom in the Sky’ and therefore is very vulnerable to thunder and lightning. This one particular storm saw a young girl from one of our schools loose her life. We all attended her funeral. Very different ceremony to what you might expect. The ceremony was held at her father’s home under a marquee, lots of singing and speeches all in their mother tongue Sesotho, followed by a burial and a feast to remark respect of her life. The ceremony was beyond 4 hours. Crowds of people attended, including her school choir who sang beautifully from the heart.

Basotho dinner with my colleague and his family

I was invited for dinner one evening by my colleague and jumped to the opportunity. I was very intrigued to see how Basotho live. My colleague lives in a very modern house with land. There are two bedrooms in separate buildings, a living space, modern kitchen with microwave, two ovens, gas and electric (they often experience power cuts, but gas is expensive), fridge freezer, and outdoor toilet. They would bathe in a steel tub in their bedroom. Most Basotho keep animals and land for vegetables. They are very self-sufficient and very much live in a community and share their crops with their neighbours.

Pork and Soda bread was on the menu. They keep pigs; luckily the meat was already prepared and ready for defrosting!! My colleague fetched the wood to prepare a fire outdoors, I seasoned the meat, and after the flames had settled the meat was ready to be cooked. The most delicious pork I have tasted in a very long time! Basotho love to share their food. We had a dish in the middle with pork and bread, and it was a help yourself set up.

Other Personal Experiences

I have had lots of fun in my personal time at weekends. We have met a very kind South African family who are very active and love adventure. So far I have been to a dam near Zastron and tried rowing, boating, swimming and waterskiing.

We visited Mount Moorosi and climbed or scrambled (depending how long your legs are) to the top where the views were spectacular. Sitting on the edge of the cliff was such a breathtaking moment. Mount Moorosi is historically rich and our guide Scott was very informative. There were remnants of the war on the mountain, rifle cartridges, from the 1800’s when there was a six month skirmish between the king’s son and the British. At the top of the mountain we had a delightful picnic.

We visited a farm in South Africa for a bit of relaxation. Met the local tennis club at Wartrail and tried to play a few games. Unfortunately the four Welshies seemed to be practicing picking the ball up from the floor rather than hitting it correctly. I also had the opportunity to go on nice walks, visit cave paintings and try horse riding, something I was not overly confident with, but have now discovered a new joy in life.

Ffion Mullane

So time is still flying! Cannot believe we are more than halfway through!

School is still going well and the children are still enjoying and engaging really well and the teachers seem to be taking ideas on board which is lovely to see. I did a letter writing lesson, where the children wrote letters to students in Wales. They were so excited and amazed when I told them these letters would be sent to Wales (which I have since sent). The library is all set up in the back of Grade 1A (a mixture of school aid books, and books already in the school), and the teachers and principal seem impressed with what I’ve done, so fingers crossed, it will still be respected and used when I‘ve left. I’ve had the chance to celebrate both St David’s Day and Moshoeshoe Day with the school – both experiences I will never forget. St David’s Day was just the most amazing day, and was great to share it with all the other schools and teachers. I was fortunate enough to experience their national day with them this week. I was able to help prepare and make their national bread in the lead up to the day, and was given a Seshoeshoe to wear. Turning up to the school and seeing all the children and teachers in so many different, colourful outfits was amazing. It took a while for it to get started, and the children got to see some of the national dishes which had been prepared by the staff, before beginning the celebrations. It was quite similar to our eisteddfod, in the sense that there was a lot of singing and dancing, but this was started with a bottle race, needle race, apple race and a sack race – health and safety not such a worry over here!! Once we had finished by singing the national anthem, it was time for  teachers and parents to have some of the foods, which were different but not too bad. Our school took part in athletics this week along with several other schools, in the zonal rounds, which again was nice to experience. Again, took a while to get started but when it did, the races were pretty smooth running. Their athletics is mainly running, and they were so fast! Running barefoot is not something I could do on ground like this. The children were supporting and singing – it was lovely.

Our social life is still pretty good! We’ve climbed Mount Moorosi where we enjoyed a lovely picnic at the top. We also enjoyed a weekend at the Mitchells farm where we played tennis, horse riding, walks to see the cave paintings and waterfall, a picnic by the waterfall and a braai.