San Patricio International School of Spain
Hola España
The objectives of an exchange programme of this kind is to observe how other countries approach teaching, to experience and deepen our knowledge of foreign cultures, to enrich an educator’s pedagogical expertise and to gain from the opportunity to share ideas and knowledge.
We visited the San Patricio International School in Toledo, Spain, to begin a teacher exchange programme between the two schools. This was the beginning of a 3 year tie up with the School. The school is situated on a sprawling campus equipped with all facilities that make learning pleasurable for children. Huge indoor and outdoor stadiums, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a theatre, art studios, a well-equipped music room, a performing arts department, a bright and well-lit library, huge dining halls and a well-equipped kitchen.
There are 4 languages taught- Spanish, English, French & German.
Working hours for teachers and students are from 9 to 5. The tiny tots ( 3 and 4 year olds) too, begin and get over at the same time. It was explained that the parents welcomed the long hours, as both parents may be working and they feel happier at the thought of their children being in a safe and secure environment, which is what the school offers.
The Spanish are warm and welcoming and display cultural traits that are quite similar to ours. The teachers and other staff members at San Patricio are dedicated to their profession. They are committed to ensuring that the children entrusted to them are happy learners.
The children, like our children at DAIS, are curious, interested, ask questions and are affectionate and responsive. They address their teachers by their first names and are very demonstrative, displaying affection with hugs or asking for them; especially in the PYP. Their self-management skills and the way they organize themselves are commendable. A lot of learning is done by making mistakes, observation and realization of the consequences The activities areas are huge, the outdoor play areas are shaded with roofs and there are covered walkways because of extreme weather conditions. It can be very hot with temperatures touching 40-41degrees. At the school they believe learning is faster and more permanent through play way methods so whenever the opportunity lends itself, they use these areas to enhance learning There is a lot of emphasis on drama and art. Children are very enthusiastic when learning through this medium and their work is displayed all around the school-on walls, in the corridors, hung from ceilings and on floor landings near staircases.
Children learn first-hand how to nurture, and experience how important it is to look after things. There are herb gardens and vegetable patches with a scarecrow that the Primary children dress up every couple of weeks.
We answered queries on Indian traditions and customs, food, festivals, languages spoken, flora and fauna found in India, traditional dressing, significance of the bindi and our greeting, the Namaste.
There were story telling sessions (fables from the Panchatantra and episodes from our epics) followed by related drawing activity and enactment. These resulted in many cherished, light-hearted moments with the children.
A talk on Indian festivals lead to the story telling of myths and legends associated with the celebration of Rakshabandhan. Images of Rakhis were shown and the teacher gathered materials required for the children to make these. The activity culminated in them making beautiful rakhis and tying these on each other’s wrists. Murals were done by children after introducing them to work done by Indian artists like Jamini Roy, Warli artists, Mario Miranda, and adding a Spanish twist to it by drawing the bull, a matador, birds, etc.
We were able to interact informally with the staff during tea time breaks and lunch breaks at school and also during the weekends. Teachers appreciated the time we spent in their classes, satisfying the curiosity of the children and keeping them gainfully employed. They also welcomed suggested teaching activities that we shared with them and vice versa.
We shared some of the teaching practices and systems that we follow at DAIS in our meetings with Mr. Nachos, the Director, and also with the coordinators and other teaching members of the staff. San Patricio International School is looking forward to sending their teachers to India and is interested in further strengthening the partnership between the two schools. We, at DAIS, are eagerly looking forward to their visit.
We are very grateful for the warm hospitality and assistance extended to us by the heads, coordinators and other members of the staff at San Patricio, which made our visit to beautiful Spain, such a wonderful and memorable one. We also realize that it’s thanks to our experiences and growth over the years at DAIS, that we were not like fish out of water in a foreign land. We adapted quickly and made the most of our stay there.
We’d like to end here with a quote by Mr. Nachos, the Director of San Patricio International School, who has lived in India with his wife for a year. He has written and published a book of photographs taken during his stay. A copy of this for DAIS was presented to us, while he spoke about his deep love for our country.
According to him, “You have not lived a complete life, if you have not been to India.”
Anupama Pillai
Valli Madhavan