NOTES FROM THE COMENIUS PROJECT HELD AT FURTHERWICK PARK SCHOOL CANVEY ISLAND FROM 17 TO 20 MAY 2009.
Present:
Christopher Hayes (Head teacher) – Furtherwick Park School. (FWP)
Norman Bradley (Comenius Co-ordinator) – Furtherwick Park School.
Paul Kaufman (Deputy Head teacher) – Furtherwick Park School.
Norman Bambridge (Project Advisor) – Furtherwick Park School.
Christian Duntsch (Project Leader )– Carl Zeiss Oberschule Berlin (CZO)
Thomas Schaefer – Carl Zeiss Oberschule Berlin.
Christine Hertel – Carl Zeiss Oberschule Berlin.
Carlo Panizzon – Liceo Ginnasio Statale Augusto Roma. (LGSA)
Maria Teresa Ciaffaroni – Liceo Ginnasio Statale Augusto Roma.
Students:
Furtherwick Park School – Essex.
Orry Black.
Charleigh Burns.
Matthew Ray
Connor Lockwood.
Callum Ward
Grant Kemp.
Carl Zeiss Oberschule – Berlin.
Max Kramer.
Mats Patermann.
Jasmin Mischke.
Sabrina Ramuenke.
Wiebke Haselbach.
Liceo Ginnasio Statale Augusto – Roma.
Rebecca Aprili.
Monica Boccuzzi
Chiara Corradi.
Marta Casasola.
Sara Esposito.
Federico Monteleone.
Claudio Quaranta.
Simona Sinisi.
Davide Scancarello.
Sunday 17 May 2009.
The German and Italian groups were met at Stansted Airport around mid-day from where transport had been arranged to take the whole twenty strong party back to the Oysterfleet Hotel on Canvey Island.
From mid afternoon the Italian and German party together with Norman Bradley were invited to a traditional barbeque hosted by Norman and Doreen Bambridge.
Monday 18 May 2009.
0900 to 1100 Hours.
Mr. Hayes (Head teacher) welcomed the teachers and students to Furtherwick Park School and hoped their work over the next three days would be productive and bring a successful conclusion to the project.
Mr. Hayes also mentioned students will be able to work with the School IT Management team on the specially designed Information Technology Bus and hoped they would enjoy that experience.
Finally, he was aware that students would be able to present a briefing of their work to the English Parliament through an arranged meeting with Dr. Robert Spink MP for the Castle Point constituency, at Westminster on Tuesday afternoon.
The project leader Christian Duntsch explained the work students would undertake in this first session in preparing video handbook introductions and that five working student groups would each have a subject for their introductions. He also mentioned that extracts of the work undertaken over the past two years would help complete the whole video handbook presentation. He went on to say although this was to be a video presentation; it should also include descriptive explanation text within the video.
The working groups were:
Group One -
Wiebke Haselbach. (CZO)
Federico Monteleone. (LGSA)
Davide Scancarello. (LGSA)
Orry Black. (FWP)
The topic for their presentation was a video introduction of their respective schools.
Group Two –
Sabrina Ramuenke. (CZO)
Chiara Corradi. (LGSA)
Grant Kemp. (FWP)
Simona Sinisi. (LGSA)
The topic for their presentation was to explain what is Comenius programme.
Group Three –
Jasmin Mischke. (CZO)
Rebecca Aprili. (LGSA)
Marta Casasola. (LGSA)
Callum Ward. (FWP)
The topic for presentation was the topics undertaken over the past two years.
Group Four –
Max Kramer. (CZO)
Monica Boccuzzi. (LGSA)
Charleigh Burns. (FWP)
Connor Lockwood. (FWP)
The topic was to explain Sustainable Development.
Group Five –
Mats Patermann. (CZO)
Claudio Quaranta. (LGSA)
Sara Esposito. (LGSA)
Matthew Ray. (FWP)
The topic was to explain what is GAIA.
1100 to 1130 hours.
The touring parties were taken on a tour of the school in which their response was noting that the number of computers available per student was much higher than either at CZO or LGSA. The Italians also mentioned the school had much larger playing fields than at LGSA.
1130 to 1315 hours.
Groups continued with their presentation tasks whilst the teachers were able to circulate and advise when necessary on the subject matter which in the case of the English students this was their first introduction to the overall project.
Most of the groups were able to achieve their initial pre-editing video recording.
1315 to 1415 hours.
A Buffet lunch was prepared for the students and teachers with also students from Furtherwick Park who had previously worked on the Comenius project and who had visited the schools in Berlin and Rome and they were able to give their thoughts on the curriculum, extra curriculum and cultural exchanges it provides.
1415 to 2030 hours.
The whole group were taken by Coach to the Lakeside Shopping and restaurant centre in nearby Thurrock (one of the largest indoor shopping centres in the area) to enjoy a welcome social break.
Tuesday 19 May 2009.
0900 to 1100 hours.
Christine Hertel introduced the morning session by confirming what the students had achieved and what needed to be completed in this session, noting some group work was in advance of others. Cutting and editing may be achieved before these were presented on Wednesday morning.
She went on to say these will be placed on the E-Twinning site linked to YouTube through capacity issues.
A special mention was made of the IT Team working on the school’s ‘i’ bus and how their technical support was invaluable.
1100 to 1130 hours.
Norman Bradley had arranged a meeting with teachers from Castle View and Cornelius Vermuyden Schools on the Island to look at continuity of the Comenius projects with CZO, LGSA and other schools in the future.
1130 to 1315 hours.
Students finished their video introductions during this period and then each group started to complete the presentation scripts for presentation on Wednesday.
1315 to 1415 hours.
A buffet lunch was again provided following which students engaged with FWP students in the play areas.
1430 hours.
A coach trip was arranged to take the whole party to London, firstly for the planned visit to the Palace of Westminster for 1600 hours to meet Dr. Robert Spink MP and for the students to ask questions of him, generally relating to Sustainable Development and the use of the worlds energy resources.
Q: Claudio Quaranta. (LGSA)
What do you see as the future of energy provision in the United Kingdom?
A: Bob Spink MP.
Looking ahead, possibly as far as 2050, Nuclear Fusion must be part of that energy provision. However, this will probably only provide some 25% of the overall needs.
In addition, the use of clean burn coal will add to that figure and I believe we have some 150 estimated years of supply underground in this country although it must also be balanced with the cost of transportation in energy terms, wherever the supply comes from and that could negate as much as 20% on those figures.
Q: Jasmin Mischke. (CZO)
What is Britain doing about ensuring the future of energy provision?
A: Bob Spink MP.
We must become cost effective when we look to renewable sources of energy and certainly what you are doing in the Comenius project re-enforces our duty to future generations to become energy efficient.
Such energy efficiency can equate to 25% of our total demand.
Q: Marta Casasola. (LGSA)
What do you think about the capture of energy from waste landfill sites?
A: Bob Spink MP.
The conversion of gas capture serves two major purposes, firstly the prevention of methane entering the atmosphere and creating a greater emissions footprint and secondly as I am pleased to say, both I and my constituency of Castle Point have supported the installation of conversion plants at our local landfill site generating some 12 megawatt of electricity, roughly translated to supplying 12,000 homes electricity demand for a year and probably for the next forty to fifty years.
Q: Wiebke Haselbach. (CZO)
What about energy use by the public sector?
A: Bob Spink MP.
What a very good question! The public sector including Government use some 20% of the energy consumption in the UK. I make a point on the size and use of my car in my public life having only an 1100cc engine. I wish other parliamentary colleagues would follow my example.
Q: Chiara Corradi. (LGSA)
What about the use of alternative fuels?
A: Bob Spink MP.
Bio-fuels including Palm Oils appear to be the most efficient but again there is a balance to be made with the economic and environmental cost of initial production
also the cost of conversion or refining of waste bio-fuel products. I can say this issue
was also raised on Canvey Island recently but that related more to an environmental location concern.
Q: Mats Patermann. (CZO)
Do you think the UK Government invests enough in sustainable and renewable energy projects?
A: Bob Spink MP.
No, definitely not! Perhaps too much reliance on Blue Skies Research and Nuclear Fusion and Fission to provide those answers.
Q: Sabrina Ramuenka. (CZO)
In Germany we seem further advanced than in the UK in the use of Bio-fuel technology, what other sources are being researched?
A: Bob Spink MP.
We are currently looking at Sugar Beet conversion to Bio fuel. Also, you may be aware that Richard Branson of Virgin is promoting its use, currently with his own freight aircraft.
Q: Federico Monteleone. (LGSA)
What is your opinion on more Wind Turbine Farms being created?
A: Bob Spink MP.
They form part of the renewable energy plan but obviously have limitations in terms of supply. They are also expensive and environmentally unfriendly and a further issue is they don’t always generate electricity when needed.
Q: Thomas Schaefer. (CZO)
What are the risks from more Nuclear Energy provision?
A: Bob Spink MP.
It is well documented, there is a very long ‘half life’ degeneration of radio active waste material which future generations will have to address. However, we have a duty to ensure nuclear waste is safer.
We must consider also, that on average each year some 100 coal miners across the world are killed whilst nuclear energy provision remains a ‘nil’ fatality production.
Q: David Scancarello. (LGSA)
What do you think about waste incineration and the possible links to cancer?
A: Bob Spink MP.
Essex in general and my constituency of Castle Point being one of its Boroughs does
not support having an Incineration facility before we address the issue of reducing our current approximate 750,000 tonnes annual waste to landfill to around 150,000 tonnes by 2030 and we have signed up to the EU ‘LATS’ Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme. During that time newer technology will emerge and a review of incineration will undoubtedly occur and hopefully will have no health impact issues.
Q: Monica Boccuzzi. (LGSA)
In Italy, following a popular referendum, we do not have nuclear power plants but we ‘buy in’ Nuclear Energy from other countries, do you think this is a way forward for the UK?
A: Bob Spink MP.
As I have mentioned, the risks of using Nuclear Energy are lesser than Fossil Fuels in energy production and the resultant increase in the carbon footprint. However, we should address this simple fact that Solar Energy radiates over our whole planet some 44 minutes every day of every year. Our problem globally is how to capture that energy.
Q: Christine Hertel. (CZO)
Do you know how much the UK spends on Nuclear Energy research?
A: Bob Spink MP.
Too much! There is a reliance on Nuclear Energy but cheaper and cleaner forms of PWR (Pressurised Water Reactors) and Sand bed systems are here.
The UK have announced today that the biggest Wind Turbine Farm has opened in Scotland. What happens if it is not windy?
A greater negative equity on energy production and cost efficiency!
Q: Maria Teresa Ciaffaroni. (LGSA)
In Venice we are experimenting with the use of seaweed as a bio fuel resource. Is there anything similar in the UK?
A: Bob Spink MP.
We are currently working on the seeding of Algae and its potential, both as a food and energy source and as discussed already, our collective demands are greater than the renewables available. We also have lots of seaweed!
The whole party thanked Dr. Spink for his time, by applause, for arranging the meeting to be held in the Grand Committee Room of the House.
1700 to 1730 hours.
Dr. Spink then invited the whole group to cross the Westminster Great Hall being the oldest part of Parliament, the walls being built in 1097 and the Hall being one of Europe’s largest medieval halls with an unsupported roof. The hall was extensively rebuilt during the fourteenth century. He then arranged for the opening of St. Stephens Chapel where he explained some of its history and its beauty.
Upon leaving the Chapel, Dr. Spink was again thanked for his time, the manner in which he welcomed everyone and took the time to answer all the questions put to him. This was indeed an historic day.
1730 onwards.
The whole party enjoyed a walking tour down Whitehall to Downing Street, through the Barracks to Horse guards Parade into St. James Park and to Buckingham Palace where Maria Teresa Ciaffaroni informed the students of the Royal standard flying meaning the Queen was in residence.
From there, a walk down The Mall, past Clarence House and Admiralty Arch into Trafalgar Square and from there, down The Strand into Covent Garden for some shopping and an evening meal.
We returned along the embankment passing the Tower of London and Tower Bridge then the journey home.
Wednesday 20 May 2009.
0900 to 1100 hours.
The groups were invited to make ready any final additions to their presentations before adjourning to the school hall for presentation. The local press who had attended initially on Monday made a return visit for the group presentations.
STUDENT INTERVIEWS:
The whole student group were individually interviewed to get reactions to the project over the past three days and their involvement, including those new to the Comenius GAIA project:
Furtherwick Park students.
Q: Charleigh Burns.
What have you learned about sustainable development?
A: I know that CO2 emissions are a great concern to the whole planet and that under the Kyoto Protocol we have to reduce these.
Q: Connor Lockwood.
How can you impact on energy efficiency?
A: By cutting down on electricity use, lighting and heating, control the use of water, recycle paper and plastics and we are doing this in School.
Q: Orry Black.
Do you know what sustainable development means?
A: Being energy wise, the need for more efficiency and recycling of waste, paper and water.
Q: Grant Kemp.
What is Comenius?
A: Its all about countries visiting and discussing sustainable development knowledge, planning and the use of the worlds limited resources.
Q: Matthew Ray.
What is GAIA?
A: Looking after the planet’s resources and what ancient cultures found out and did in respect of resource use.
Q: Callum Ward.
What do you think about joining this project group?
A: It has been very informative so far and the focus on our planets limited resources points out that doing nothing is not an option.
Carl Zeiss Oberschule students:
Q: Sabrina Ramuenka.
What do you think the Comenius project is achieving?
A: It is more than just interesting in looking at the use of resources and how each of the partner countries often work separately in energy saving, but also how the cultures and curriculum’s can inform us to work together.
Q: Jasmin Mischke.
What do you think has been achieved over the past two years of the project?
A: Learning the cultural differences but deeper understanding of the technical and financial problems associated with energy conservation.
Q: Mats Patermann.
What is GAIA?
A: It is the mother earth and we are all its children and we must be mindful of the use of resources and this conference has brought students from participating countries together as one voice.
Q: Wiebke Haselbach.
Have the school groups discussed the different country cultures?
A: Yes, we all like the fact that English schools have uniforms. This has been discussed at CZO but not adopted but they do look smart.
Q: Max Kramer.
What is your opinion of the sustainable development conference?
A: It has been very interesting working on projects and seeing how other countries deal with the same general issues affecting the planet.
Liceo Ginnasio Statale Augusto students.
Q: Monica Boccuzzi.
What have you learned from the sustainable development project?
A: A valuable and interesting experience meeting students from other countries, how they live and work in their schools, the different curriculum’s and culture. However we must also work hard to achieve the project aims and objectives.
Q: Claudio Quaranta.
What or who is GAIA?
A: It dates back to the Greek or Roman Gods and the way we should use energy, particularly renewable energy. The work on this conference has taught all students to communicate how we must achieve this regardless of costs.
Q: Simona Sinisi.
What is the Comenius aims as regards this project?
A: To change the way we all develop and use resources to make sure this is efficient and renewable for the next generations.
Q: Rebecca Aprili.
What do you think has been achieved over the past two years?
A: I am fairly new to the project and I asked could I join my school group to enable me to learn more about other countries, including England and Germany and become more informed about the work our school has done already but seeing that in greater context particularly energy saving ideas.
Q: Chiara Corradi.
What do you think about the Comenius project?
A: Before I came to England I didn’t know the extent of the project but I have enjoyed learning more about working together, in English, with other students and the difficulties we face which we must act on energy use and saving.
Q: Marta Casasola.
Have you been involved with the project before?
A: Only at our school but I have enjoyed very much, my first experience of meeting those students from England and Germany who have been working on this research and have learned a lot which will help me think about the use of the world’s resources.
Q: Federico Monteleone.
What do you think about the different school cultures and attitudes to Sustainable Development?
A: Our school is very different to Furtherwick Park and Carl Zeiss, you have many more computers than we do and large playing areas both grass and tarmac. I hope we can get more computers because this will help us work on projects like sustainability.
Q: Sara Esposito.
What do you know about GAIA?
A: It is important, in my opinion that we learn our future is in our own hands and working with the students from other countries, we can have a greater voice in order to do something about saving the worlds resources.
Q: Davide Scancarello.
What do you think about the differences of the participating schools?
A: It has been a very interesting experience working with students from other countries and I hope I will be able to do this again in the future. Two students have never left Italy or flown before and the project funding has enabled this to happen so it is proper we put great effort into learning and communicating our work.
It is also nice to speak English rather than just in classroom sessions.
1100 to 1130 hours.
A break time at which point the German party left the conference and were taken to Benfleet Station in order to travel to London for a final sightseeing tour then to Gatwick Airport for their return flight.
The Italian party went shopping locally before returning to school for lunch and finally leaving for Stansted airport mid afternoon.
CONFERENCE SUMMARY:
With the completion of the five video introductions it was agreed that Carl Zeiss Oberschule would compile all of the work of the last two years into the final video handbook production and upload this to the E-Twinning site. Copies of the work will be sent to the participating schools.
What has proved to be of importance to this and hopefully future projects is the fact of directly engaging with Government and our very grateful thanks in this case to Dr. Robert Spink MP for his interest and time in receiving all the students and teachers at the Palace of Westminster.
Maria Teresa Ciaffaroni Norman Bambridge
LGSA Roma FWP School Canvey Island
Joint authors of this report – 22 May 2009
