Embedded Files
19th may - the day before of our Cyprus LTTA-staff
Limassol, Cyprus, students, teachers, and staff from the schools involved in this project will participate in a student mobility program to DIMOTIKO SCHOLEIO LEMESOU 23 - AGIOU, SPYRIDONA 2, Limassol, Cyprus, as part of the Erasmus+ project "Skill By Skill Up to Success".
Portugal - Agrupamento de Escolas General Serpa Pinto de CinfĂŁes;
Poland - Szkoła Podstawowa im. Leonarda Prystroma w Tołczach;
Serbia - Osnovna skola ''Sveti Sava'';
Czech Republic - Základnà škola OstroĹľská Nová Ves, okres UherskĂ© HradištÄ›.Â
This mobility, themed "Communication and Sports Skills," has the following objectives:
Students are expected to:
- improve their social and communication skills;
- motivate their leaders to work cooperatively and inclusively;
- increase their motivation to engage in outdoor activities;
- improve their communication skills;
- improve their environmental and cultural literacy.
Teachers will:
- learn about new approaches to non-formal learning;
- exchange best practices for inclusive, communicative, and collaborative teaching methods;
- learn to create their own resources, tools, and activities that will improve their students' social skills;
- engage in extracurricular and outdoor activities that help them foster social skills in their students.
Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus, with a population of approximately 161,000. The city is located in Akrotiri Bay, in the southern part of the island. It was built between two ancient cities, Amatus and Kouri, and was therefore known as Neapolis (“new city”) during the Byzantine period.
Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, off the coasts of Syria and Turkey. It is the third-largest and most populous island in the Mediterranean and a member state of the European Union since 2004. It is located south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest of Israel, north of Egypt, and east of Greece.
20th may - 1st day of our Cyprus LTTA-staff
School started early, as we were already at Primary School 23 in Limassol by 7:30 a.m. In the auditorium, we were treated to a cultural custom of sharing incense and water to pass through our hands.
We immediately moved on to presentations by the teachers from each invited school and witnessed an excellent musical moment with the students performing various traditional songs and dances from their folklore.
We were welcomed into the Principal's office and took the opportunity to exchange souvenirs from each school, thanking them for their hospitality.
Following this, we participated in a sports activity, which included math concepts using tangrams, balance and team spirit, and hand-eye coordination.
After the break, we had a Greek language class where we learned several words, including numbering and its application in a traditional dance that we learned to dance using counting numbers in the Greek language.
After lunch, we took a long walk around the city, learning about the customs and history of this island, which over time has suffered invasions and domination by various peoples. Its geographical location makes it a key point for geopolitics and global defense strategy. The island is protected by English military bases, but for many years it was under the control of other peoples. We visited the castle and all the historic houses nearby.
21st may - 2nd day of our Cyprus LTTA-staff
Today's activities took place by the sea. It was water sports day.
After arriving at the beach, we went straight to the Famagusta Nautical Club in Limassol, where every year the 6th-grade students learn the various water sports offered at this nautical club: rowing, kayaking, canoeing, and water polo, among others.
After all the students prepared for these water activities, they were divided into several groups and, with each teacher, learned the techniques of rowing, kayaking, canoeing, and water polo.
Of all the activities, rowing, with four students at a time, seemed the most difficult, as everyone had to be synchronized while rowing. What seemed difficult at first, became easier after a short time, and the students gained more confidence. In the kayak, some students demonstrated their prowess by making quick turns next to the marker buoy, completing the course with considerable ease. Then we went to another spot near the beach, where the students played beach volleyball, swam, and had fun with each other.
It was a great day with all these activities, which the students loved and left tired but radiant.
22nd may - 3rd day of our Cyprus LTTA-staff
The fourth day was very enjoyable, with a chance to explore the region's culture and traditions by visiting two preserved villages, Vouni and Odomos, which are funded to preserve their traditional buildings, culinary traditions, and rural traditions.
We visited the museum, a former school, where we received a brief explanation of the ancient way of life and its hardships. After a morning snack, to recharge our batteries, we were invited to recreate the village's typical doors on small magnets, which the students did with great joy. And what beautiful works of art emerged from their hands.
Immediately, miss Irini and miss Lucia explained how to make bread and sweets, and how they let the grape juice simmer slowly for six hours to create a syrupy grape juice that was delicious when poured into each student's sweet.
Having had their fill of sweets, we went to visit the Orthodox Church of Saint John, which is quite different from ours, except for the fact that it features no sculptures, only painted images. After explaining each part of the church and its history, we realized the importance of this church when it was a monastery, helping the population overcome difficult times of famine and disease. The people began building houses around the monastery, thus creating the Vouni settlement. We walked through its streets and observed the typical buildings and the museum, which showcased agricultural implements and the ancient way of life.
After lunch, we went to visit Odomos, with one expectation: the Odomos Monastery, which has many reliquaries of apostles and saints, but especially the silver cross containing a portion of the rope that tied Christ's hands at the time of the crucifixion. We entered with due respect, and those who arrive in clothing inappropriate for a religious site are asked to put on a robe over their clothes as a sign of respect. These Orthodox monasteries have a singular beauty that we never tire of appreciating.
After appreciating all the reliquaries and religious images, we went to visit the village, which has very beautiful spots and the small houses, all well-preserved and reconstructed in typical style. Another fantastic day where we all learned a little more about everything, but especially about the coexistence and strengthening of friendship between people from different countries, but who are the same deep down.
23rd may - 4th and last day of our Cyprus LTTA-staff
As one student said this morning, "This day came so quickly!"...Â
When we miss it, it means it was worth it. And this mobility was worth it for our students, who, perfectly integrated into the family that so kindly welcomed them, knew how to make the most of every moment of the day to absorb all the good things about Erasmus+ mobility.
Early in the morning, we visited the classes of Professor Maria Socratus, who has been involved in exchange projects in the past and fully understands their importance.
Over the border, we arrived at a phenomenal archaeological site: the Kourion Archaeological Site. Known to have been occupied since the 14th century BC, or at least 3,400 years ago, it boasts a fabulous amphitheater facing the sea with stunning acoustics. If someone speaks in a normal voice on the center stage at the back, those on the stairs or benches can hear what they are saying quite clearly.
After explaining the history of the place, we visited other monuments from that time that show us what life was like back then.
After lunch, a coordinators' meeting, and the presentation of certificates, the students went to the nearby beach and enjoyed a nice swim in the warm waters of this island.
After this activity, we returned to school and had free time with our families for the afternoon, so everyone could relax and enjoy the moment.
At the end of the afternoon, they visited the Paradox Museum, which offers incredible visual experiences.
How amazing was this project.
Our students will be richer of new knowledge they received.
Skill by skill up to Success.
An Erasmus+ project.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse