TUESDAY: ST PETER'S & KATAWA PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Today was an early start for St. Peter’s Primary School which begins at 6.45a.m..  No time to have breakfast – the water was still being heated in the pot for coffee.  As I was approaching St. Peter’s I could hear the familiar sound of the drum beating, signalling time for assembly.  All the children were gathered in the large open space behind the school.  This is the “First Shift”.  Mr Ghambie, the Head Teacher, began assembly with a warm welcome to me and he extended his good wishes to everyone at St. Mary’s Primary and Parish Community who have been partners now for several years.  The children and staff were delighted to receive the cheque and 2 footballs; one football for Morning Shift and the other for Afternoon Shift.  There are around 1,300 children in total at St. Peter’s, therefore due to the lack of classrooms the school was divided into 2 with a Head in charge in shift and Mr Ghambie being the overall Head Teacher. 

 At assembly the children listen very well  to the announcements of the day; no letters home!!  The assembly rounded off with the singing of the National Anthem.  Ah, this touches my heart, very much.

 Mr Ghambie, the Head Teacher discussed later with me how the partnership with St. Mary’s Primary in Largs is a vital support link in helping school development and improving children’s education.  I am pleased the library, which has been created due to the kind donations and much fundraising at home previously, is still very much the hub of school life. This one room holds all the books for the school. This year, again another injection of books will occur  because of the tremendous support from donors.  Many, many thanks.  You probably do not fully realise the great impact you are having but I thank you because I can see first hand how the learners, staff and community benefit from the books.

 I explained to Mr Ghambie, that BAA Glasgow once more gave some funds.  With the funds many chalk boards were purchased for the school.  I arranged to lead a workshop with staff on numeracy activities S1 – S8 using the chalk boards.  Several staff attended this.  Staff had great fun participating in the activities – thank you to Miss McCallum and P4 for teaching Tom and me the Number Bingo.

 My next adventure was to travel to Katawa CCAP Primary School in a different part of Mzuzu.  I am delighted to be the ambassador for Caledonia Primary in Saltcoats which will now be Katowa’s Partner School.  My transport was arranged – travel by pick-up.  My driver, Kembo who came to St. Matthew’s on the last student exchange, not only drove me all the way, he also escorted me to Mr Mvula, the DHT and school contact.  I felt like a precious parcel being delivered.

Katawa Primary is everything |I remember, except for the crowded classrooms.  Everyone is here and some of the younger children have waited behind just to greet me. Enrolment is good, but like most schools here the learners are squashed into classrooms, with very little room for movement.  Warm greetings are extended to Caledonia Primary and to Mrs McRonald, link person.  Staff and pupils were all excited to receive information and gifts from Caledonia Primary. They loved looking at the photos which will be displayed.  Gifts were displayed on a table and all the children were gathered to see. They loved the books, seeing the school tie and sweatshirt and the photos. There were songs of joy.  The school has one computer used for administration so it will be arranged to view the film from Caledonia later.

Every class greeted me with happy faces.  I truly cannot convey in writing how much the partnership means to Katawa.  The younger classes still sit on the floor, while the senior classes have desks. I heard the cow bell ringing which indicated the lesson period had changed therefore some teachers moved class to teach their assigned subject.  It was great to meet also the ladies who were running the Tuck Shop.  Various items were on sale such as popcorn, little doughnuts and ice lollies which look like ice poles.  They were very happy to have their photograph taken to share with everyone at Caledonia Primary.

The staff gathered and we prayed for everyone involved in the new partnership – may it be a successful and happy one. Soft drinks and biscuits were provided then speeches were made.  It was a wonderful visit.

Time to go. My driver had been waiting a very long time.  The visit finished with seeking out the Kindergarten. I found them in the newly completed Church Hall because their room was being repaired.  The children were having their lunch which they bring from home.  I spoke with the staff who told methere is lack of toys for the children.  This made me sad when I think about the amount the number of toys we have to play with at home?  Perhaps there is something we can do?