Friday letter from Primary School

Dear Parents,

I hope you are all well and have had a good week. I am sure it was a bit quieter than usual with all the children at School in Nature. It was a bit noisier for us but in the best possible way and we had a wonderful time in the mountains.

And it wouldn’t be a Friday email from me if I didn’t mention the weather. Fortunately we were blessed with fine weather for almost the entire time we were there. The sun shone down on us every day and it meant many joyful hours outside enjoying the beautiful weather.

On Monday after we arrived, we spent the afternoon doing some class programs and playing outside and it was great to see all the wonderful games the children created and played throughout the week. In the evening, we had our English Evening. Jana and Eric played some games and had a quiz with the children and then my PV class, which had been learning improv comedy all year put on a fantastic comedy show for the rest of the school.

On Tuesday, each class had their own activities in the morning which involved walks, and learning about the nature. In the afternoon, we had a sports program organised by Terka and Standa and there were plenty of excellent activities to keep everyone busy. In the evening we had film club so everybody could chill out after a busy day.

Hanka was away for some of Tuesday as she went to do her final exam for her studies. She arrived back to tell us that she had passed. Congratulations, Hanka!!!

On Wednesday we went walking. We visited the Mumlava Waterfalls in Harrachov and it was a very enjoyable walk led by Eric though the forest. We were supposed to roast sausages by the fire but we had some rain in the evening so we had the disco instead. Although there were lots of tired legs after the walk, it didn’t show as everybody danced their socks off. We had our Dance Off to see who the best dancers from each class were. The winners were Terezka (class 1), Luky (class 2), Claudie (class 3), Katka (class 4) and Vera (class 5). And in the dance off to find the Open Gate Disco Dancer of the Year for 2019, Vere Dvorakova won for the second year in a row. And the winner of the teachers’ Dance Off, also for the second time in a row was Felizardo.

On Thursday in the morning, classes did activities with their teachers while class 5 prepared a great afternoon orientation activity for all the classes. The classes did the activity in the afternoon and they had a wonderful time walking through the forest doing the various challenges that had been prepared by class 5.

In the evening, with the weather being kind to us, we were able to sit around the fire and roast sausages and sing songs together. It was a lovely evening and a fitting end to the glorious week in the mountains. And has darkness fell upon us, classes 3, 4 and 5 did a short night walk in the forest which was prepared by Petra. They didn’t get too scared by Eric and I trying to scare them a little and it was a lot of fun.

And so now, we have one week of school left before everyone gets a well-deserved holiday.

On Monday, in the morning students will be in their classes to make sure everything is tidied up, books returned and so on. In the afternoon, we will have sports and games. There will be the first class 5 vs teachers softball game at 13.00. Jana has also organised for some visitors to come who will introduce the students to some fun and interesting board games.

On Monday, class 3 will be sleeping over in tents at the school. I am sure they will have a fantastic time, it will be like a mini school in nature!

On Tuesday, in the morning, we will have class talks about sea turtles which will be very interesting. In the afternoon, classes are according to the timetable and we will finish up tidying the classrooms and I’m sure have some fun too.

Students do not need to wear uniforms on Monday and Tuesday.

On Wednesday, we have out final Morning Oasis Assembly at 10.00 where students will receive their end of year reports. Students should wear full uniforms on Wednesday.

On Thursday, it is OGTlon. Today is the last day to sign up so please let Marketa know.

And then it is the summer holidays! On behalf of everyone at the Primary School, I wish you all the very best and hope you have a very enjoyable summer. To the class 5 students who will be moving on to the Gymnasium, we wish you all the very best for the future, you have been amazing students and it has been a pleasure to have you in the Primary School! To all the other students, we look forward to welcoming you back in September and look forward to hearing about your adventures during the summer!

May the sun keep shining for the summer and all the best!

Kind regards!