Zambian link-ups proving a winning idea for children

Mar 12 2008 by Moira Sharkey, South Wales Echo

PUPILS who have been learning about Africa by corresponding with children in Zambia have helped their school win a national award.

Ysgol Pencoed, Bridgend, is one of three South Wales schools to receive an award from the Welsh Secondary Schools Association today.

Ysgol Bryn Hafren and Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, both in Barry, are also celebrating.

Ysgol Pencoed won in the International Education category after developing links – including an internet blog – with Kabundi High School in Zambia.

The relationship started when Tom Biebrach, head of geography at the school, visited the country and did research on HIV, poverty and pollution. The following year a Zambian teacher, Tione Phiri, visited Bridgend.

With the links in place students themselves began to communicate, first by letter and then e-mail.

What surprised them was not always the differences between their two communities but their similarities.

“The area they live in is a huge mining area so we have a heritage in common,” said Mr Biebrach. “They are at the height of it so that some of the industrial and pollution issues we are aware of today they are just beginning to experience.”

WSSA judges were struck by students’ comments that following the project they could now see the relevance and importance of studying geography.

“You have to be able to experience things,” said Mr Biebrach. “You can’t study the weather only by looking at a book. Our students have been able to study issues about Africa by speaking to children there.”

Leyton Jones, of event sponsor Lisol Education Service, said: “Ysgol Pencoed's award-winning entry really was an inspiration. The links developed between pupils and staff in Bridgend and in Zambia showed not only the differences in lives in the two countries but – just as excitingly – how life was very similar.”

Ysgol Bryn Hafren, Barry, also impressed judges with its bold strategy to “embed” ICT at the heart of school, involving pupils, staff, parents and the community, and won WSSA’s Curriculum Development award.

Ysgol Bro Morgannwg won the Out of Hours/Community Learning prize for its involvement in a scheme to improve pupils’ fitness by getting them involved in events and sports such as street dancing, girls’ rugby and a racquet’s club.