Notes from Canvey Conference

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

Notes from the Heerlen Conference 18-21 March 2009

Present:
Anita Romano Sintermeerten College – Heerlen.
Ivo Lipsch Sintermeerten College – Heerlen
Marielle Rooduijn Sintermeerten College – Heerlen
Wendy Schoonbrood intermeerten College – Heerlen
Thomas Schafer Carl Zeiss Schule – Berlin.
Christina Hertel Carl Zeiss Schule – Berlin.
Carlo Panizzon Liceo Gymnasio Augusto – Roma
Teresa Ciaffaroni Liceo Gymnasio Augusto – Roma
Paul Kaufmann Furtherwick Park – Canvey Island.
Norman Bambridge Furtherwick Park – Canvey island.

Students:
Students:
Sintermeerten
Anne Hermans
Danique Spierts
Thomas Zijlstra
Jace van hek
Dana Siebertz
Ghizlan el Barracki
Bas Ortmans.
Linda Mutze
Michelle Knol.

Carl Zeiss
Wiebke Haselbach
Sabrina Ramunke
Jasmin Mischke
Mats Paterman
Max Kramer

L.C.Augusto
Fiorella Marin
Andrea Costumato
Eleonara Lombardi
Giulia Sili
Flavia Torella.
Silvia Valentini
Maurizia Persia


Wednesday 18 March 2009.
1500 to 1700 hrs.

Following a welcome by Wim Horsch (Sintermeerten College Director of Education), the pre-course conference discussions were made to the delegations from FWP Canvey Island and LGA Roma.

This included noting that due to a misunderstanding it had become too short a notice to bring students from FWP for the conference but that both Paul Kaufmann and Norman Bambridge could support the students in their activities over the next two days and could take back those processes and systems the students present would use and develop.

The proposed agenda was presented by Anita Romano (Project Co-ordinator for SM) and in turn she introduced Ivo Lipsch (SM) who would be the project conference host. It was also mentioned that SM exam timetabling would affect her attending the Thursday sessions and similarly Marielle Rooduijn and Wendy Schoonbrood would attend between lessons.

Ivo Lipsch mentioned that he had only been involved in the project since November 2008 and recognised that sound advice given by Wim Horsch was to use the wealth of experience those attending (teachers and students) and that and he would endeavour put that into practice throughout the conference.

Thursday 19 March 2009.
0900 to 1100 hours.

Ivo Lipsch formally opened the conference and welcomed everyone before inviting Thomas Schafer to give a power point presentation of the project structure then inviting students from Roma and Berlin to similarly present presentations of their work, which would be the underpinning knowledge for the video handbook development.

He suggested the students split into five international mixed groups and that SM College had provided lap-tops and video cameras for their use and that a member of the IT support group was here to assist in this first session and then as required.

Delegates could use this main conference room as well as the adjacent student area and that the teachers would visit the groups towards the end of this session to review and support progress.

1100 to 1130 hours.
This was a planned student break session at which time the teachers discussed the observations made and Norman Bambridge suggested a simple support or production plan should be created and given to each student to apply their work to.

This included giving a maximum running time or around three minutes, noting that some
e-twinning and other computing systems have small margins of upload capability i.e. 5mb.

Teresa Ciaffaroni said the plan should highlight interviewer technique, clear questions and structured or linked answers which enable secondary questions to be asked either by that interviewee or other group members for continuity.

She also mentioned other ways of impacting on answers including music, pictures, screen design and text.

Any finally a question for the students to question themselves on does the product have the impact they set out to achieve.

1130 to 1300 hours.
Students reconvened in the conference room enabling Ivo Lipsch to compliment students on their progress during this session particularly in their scripting and filming plan. He gave a copy of the production plan to them and invited the teachers to support the groups by positive questioning and advice. This would become more apparent as filming was undertaken.

He then mentioned that although the programme has been changed for the afternoon session to include a group visit to Maastricht, this would enable everyone to discuss the project in a relaxed atmosphere whilst also taking a critical look at the way that energy is used in the city particularly if it was related to the topics they were developing for the video handbook.

1300 to 1330 Buffet lunch provided by SM College.
This session enabled students and teachers to both socialise and discuss with students. particularly the Dutch who were hosting German students before the arrangements for travelling from Heerlen Station to Maastricht by Bus and train were explained.

1400 to 2100 hours.
Combined group travel tickets were arranged by Ivo Lipsch and subsequent travel to Maastricht by bus and train which upon arrival he became an enthusiastic tour guide.

Students were allowed a central shopping area restriction whilst teachers visited the old part of the city including the walled area and city gates.

One of the visits was to the St. Servaas Basilica which includes 5th Century cemetery in the churchyard, the rebuilding of the church dates from around AD1039, cloisters and side chapels from around AD1475. St. Servaas was the first Bishop of Maastricht who died in AD384.

Teachers enjoyed an early evening meal hosted by SM College in one of the plaza restaurants before meeting up with all students for the return journey to Heerlen.

It was our combined pleasure to thank Ivo Lipsch for his amusing hosting, knowledge and enthusiasm shown to everyone present.

Friday 20 March 2009.
0900 to 1100 hours.
Students continued their filming productions throughout this session and were asked to be prepared to show preliminary filming product after the morning session break.

1100 to 1130 hours.
The break enabled discussions between groups about product stage and content and at which teacher input would enable further editing during the remaining morning session. It was appreciated that some final cutting and editing would be undertaken back at the various schools.

1130 to 1245 hours.
This session enabled viewing of some presentations, whilst further IT Technical support was also provided by the college.

1245 to 1315 Buffet lunch provided by SM College.
The lunch enabled students to interact again, not only in their working groups but with all students and teachers present.

1315 to 1415 hours.
The first part of this session enabled students to put the presentations into visual form although fine tuning and any necessary revisions, as mentioned, would be needed.

Upon completion Ivo Lipsch asked each group to comment both on the project work and on the interaction within the group and with other groups.

He noted that the original plan of having five groups was changed by necessity and two groups worked closely together but the feedback confirmed they had all completed their tasks with the final editing and fine tuning to be done.

All students commented positively on group interaction. Most saying they enjoyed working with students from other countries even though some students though the topics boring and a couple of students remarked on project co-ordination.


Ivo Lipsch then asked Teachers to briefly evaluate the two-day conference work. All agreed at had been positive, the environment excellent, supporting students views of the interaction between them.

The available working time put the students under pressure to complete their tasks, which as mentioned before, fine tuning and final editing apart, was achieved but they reiterated that
face-to-face meetings were a valuable feature of the European Union programme.

The Italian students had arranged an afternoon trip by train to Aachen and upon their return the Dutch students had arranged an unplanned social evening and this was a very pleasant gesture to finish the conference on.

Norman Bambridge and Teresa Ciaffaroni
Conference notes authors.

NOTES OF MEETING - BERLIN , 12 -14 NOVEMBER 2008.

NOTES OF MEETING OF THE COMENIUS PROJECT TEAM HELD AT THE CARL ZEISS SCHULE, BERLIN FROM WEDNESDAY 12 TO FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2008.

Present: Hans Joachim Rhode - Carl Zeiss Schule Berlin.
Christian Duntsch - Carl Zeiss Schule Berlin.
Thomas Schafer - Carl Zeiss Schule Berlin.
Christine Hertel - Carl Zeiss Schule Berlin.
Paola Aloi - Liceo Ginnasio Augusto Roma
Carlo Panizzon - Liceo Ginnasio Augusto Roma
Paul Kaufman - Furtherwick Park Canvey Island.
Norman Bambridge - Furtherwick Park Canvey Island.


WEDNESDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2008.

Delegates to the conference were met by Herr Rhode (Head of the Lower School) and Christian Duntsch (Project Chairman) who mentioned the School had a new Principal who supported the ideals of the Curriculum and Cultural exchanges and hoped this conference would be successful and continue the excellent work already achieved over many years.

Time was taken to discuss the agenda for the two main conference days and what topics would be actioned as regards ‘Climate and Energy’ which was the theme the conference would be developing with the aim of producing a ‘Video Handbook’ for publication onto the ‘web’ by the early Spring of 2009.

This pre-emptive task was to enable delegates to focus upon ideas in which to start the next two days conference sessions in a positive manner.


THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2008.

The conference opened at 0900 hours.

Thomas Schafer introduced the session by again explaining the project requires the production of a ‘Video handbook’ and the time frame we had to have this completed.

The mornings session will look at what was involved in such a production and the issues or problems it would generate.

He gave a power point presentation on what he considered to be the main areas or issues and invited delegates to discuss these as they considered the implications or effects they raise.

In making a ‘Video Handbook’ its content would restrict the overall production to between ten and fifteen minutes and within that time frame it would need an introduction, content and summary.

The time restriction, although flexible between schools, recognised that in making any video for web upload, this had its own restrictions on time and quality through capacity.


However, multiple topics could be researched for presentation by having a ‘core’ group of say three students acting as (a) Interviewer (b) Interviewee and (c) Summariser.

Thereby, the topic summary could become the ‘vehicle’ for upload with links to the full version and the general consensus felt this needed a capacity time of between two and three minutes.

The general structure would be the Climate and Energy Video Handbook would have an introduction in English with national language summaries as options, or by national language sub-titles or a combination of both. It was also mentioned it may prove interesting to include a ‘hit counter’ for the site.

Delegates mentioned that already in existence is good product information particularly from this years Sustainability Project work and it has all the core elements for development into the handbook itself.

In reviewing the question ‘what is a Video Handbook’ it was concluded we would regard it as a ‘flexible but structured video presentation about the content already established through the Sustainability Project, still very current and at this point delegates viewed the Comenius Project Section website together with the excellent information already posted on the Roma website, see www.Liceoaugustoroma.it (Material Didattico – Aluni – GAIA)

The project needs to be taken back for the individual schools to analyse how the will commence work, which would appear to be by creating a script of questions generated from the work already undertaken, prior to filming any interview, but noting that where students from past projects were not longer at school they may either be available to record there involvement and give both experience and conclusions or observations.

Pre-emptive scripting also serves to ensure no time is wasted to in this short term project requirement and again this enables filming to be undertaken at any early stage.

This also had a ‘student progression’ link by allowing perhaps the more experienced student to be the ‘Summariser’ will others progressing by age (e.g. different year groups) and thereby ‘video handbook project sustainability’ into the next project (the conclusion being this process would be the same, regardless of project topic).

Christian Duntsch and Thomas asked other delegates if they could keep them informed of what and how individual schools would commence work for then the next intended meeting in March 2009 noting that the weeks of 11 and 21 March at Sintermeerten (if possible) looked potential options with a final production meeting between 15 to 20 June 2009 at Furtherwick Park School.

Delegates then discussed the technical capability of individual schools and Paul Kaufman mentioned that Furtherwick Park School holds a Media and Arts status with technical and operational equipment including an equipped seventeen seated IT equipped bus and he would, post conference, discuss this with the head teacher about the final production June meeting to be held in England.

Paul Kaufman mentioned it was important that all schools use a common moviemaker system, which delegates need to confirm what they have or use currently and also to understand the safety protocols for such web use.

It was also noted that following e-mail contact between Christian Duntsch and Wim Horsch (Sintermeerten College, Heerlen, Netherlands, they had no delegate available for this conference but would have a new project team back together shortly.
On this point Norman Bambridge mentioned that Sintermeerten also had very good facilities in terms of IT and perhaps the next meeting could be arranged there which would engage them directly.

The chairman mentioned that he would need to seek advice from his national body on the point of the Comenius contract and those schools included, of which Furtherwick currently is not funded.

Delegates then discussed the issues of showing either photographic or video pictures of children under eighteen years of age with Paul Kaufman mentioning various options we have including parental agreements, non naming or forename use only or of course no direct naming. This will need to be considered in each national production.

All source information for the project will be uploaded to the Comenius Project - etwinning.org website.

The session closed at 1500 hours.


FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2008.

The session opened with Christian Duntsch reflecting on the decisions or conceived structures and processes from yesterday, with some concerns requiring further discussion.

The handbook shows the structure of a ‘Video Handbook’

Were all delegates in agreement with presenting within the introduction, the following points or principles:

The introduction to GAIA is a three year Comenius project on Sustainable development undertaken with four partner schools of Germany, The Netherlands, Italy and the UK.

The current sustainability project deals with energy and alternatives and explores the possibly renewable energy sources of wind, solar and bio-mass, requiring students to consider practical examples of energy consumption and saving and environmental pollution requiring students to create their own individual sans collective environmental plans.

The main aim of the project is to make students aware they have an individual influence and responsibility for their environment.

The production of ‘Climate and Energy’ will include documents, photographic and video reports with videos created both in full length time production and linked shorter summaries as previously described.

The common product now required was for the individual schools to create an action plan including how the information will or has been gathered and analysed.

A ‘short spot’ of product presentation (e.g. the elemental processes intended or used)
Individual and collective (e.g. School) environmental plans.

Thereby for March, we should achieve a Common Project plan on Climate and Energy with four national video presentations.

On this point Carlo Panizzon mentioned how important it was also to ensure we communicate with each other as the work progresses to have commonality in approach.

The delegate overview was the video handbook concept and its processes would stand for all future projects and this was acknowledged by everyone present.


POST LUNCH SESSION ON NEW PROJECTS FOR 2009 TO 2011.

Christian Duntsch had previously circulated CZS idea for a future project on Urban Development in European comparison.

The subject may cover aspects of history, architecture, mobility, sustainability, social change in towns and cities and young people’s needs of urban space. It could further focus on the individual school needs in similar topics added to which may be geography political and social sciences art and natural sciences.

This discussion needed firstly to have general agreement of all contributors to undertake the project in order he could proceed with a funding application by the end of February for hopeful project commencement in September 2009.

Delegates agreed the project concept and Norman Bambridge suggested that whilst analytical comparisons of Cities was problematical, analysis between generic areas could inform of both the problems and the manner in which the city, borough or area was dealing with the problem which would highlight cultural differences potentially in three dimension of national area and local (i.e. the different way similar problems are tackled in each country).

He will provide a dimensional ‘data flow’ sheet of generic areas, potential topics and potential research outcomes to all the delegates within the next few weeks as an example of choices students could make for research.

Thus the project of ‘Climate and Energy’ could include Demography, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, History, Geography, Arts, Architecture, Future Plans, Diversity, Inclusion (Young People).

This may generate the need for a meeting in Berlin in order that Christian Duntsch could expand the suggestion by Paola Aloi that a school from Cagliari (Italy) and Athens (Greece) had made contact, wishing to be involved.

The conference ended at 1430 hours.


Norman Bambridge
Notes author.

NOTES FROM THE COMENIUS ENERGY CONFERENCE

Attendees:

Host and Chariman: Christian Düntsch (Carl Zeiss Oberschule – Berlin)
Co host: Thoms Schäfer (Carl Zeiss Oberschule – Berlin)
Students: Kerstin Kothe (CZO Berlin)
Michelle Hubel (CZO Berlin)
Vera (CZO Berlin)
Susann (CZO Berlin)
William (CZO Berlin)
Max (CZO Berlin)
Wiebke (CZO Berlin)

Also attending: Frau Dorothea Visentin.
Frau Gundel Fischer
Frau Sabine Deutschmann.

Project teacher: Matthew Elliott (Furtherwick Park School – Canvey Island).
Project advisor: Norman Bambridge (Furtherwick Park School - Canvey Island).
Students: Sean Clow (Furtherwick Park School – Canvey Island) Aaron Acraman (Furtherwick Park School – Canvey Island).
Lewis Lacey (Furtherwick Park School – Canvey Island).

Project teacher: M. Teresa Ciaffaroni – Liceo Ginnasio Augusto Statale di Roma)
Project teacher: Carlo Panizzon – (Liceo Ginnasio Augusto Statale di Roma)
Students: Eleonora Alecci – (LGAS di Roma)
Fiorella Angerame – (LGAS di Roma)
Valentina Boresta – (LGAS di Roma)
Laura Lucantoni – (LGAS di Roma)
Irene Moroni – (LGAS di Roma)
Girogia Bova – (LGA di Roma)
Alessia Guarnera – (LGAS di Roma)
Flavia Torella – (LGAS di Roma)
Silva Valentini – (LGAS di Roma)
Eleonora Leopardi – (LGAS di Roma)

The conference was opened at 1400 hours on Tuesday 20 May 2008 by Hans Joachim Rhode (Head of Carl Zeiss Upper Oberschule) welcoming all delegates attending and hoping their research and time in Berlin would prove enjoyable.

Christina Düntsch outlined the programme for the Energie Rallye Projekt and its objectives and explained that tomorrow morning five groups will be given individual tasks for research and presentation.

Also, for this evening, they had arranged a tour by canal boat on the River Spee for everyone to get to know each other and the opportunity to see some of the old historic and modern buildings of central Berlin.

THE PROJECT.

The project objectives were to produce an energy action plan particularly aimed at the ‘footprint’ of the oberschule and delegates would have five areas of research.

Energy consumption.
Energy technology.
Energy supply.
Legislation.
The School ‘energy footprint’

WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2008.

The conference commenced with the introduction by two project advisors who had been engaged to develop a research programme for five groups, each to undertake different planned tasks at various locations and with various businesses throughout the city. Each group had a designated CZO student guide for S-Bahn and U-Bahn travel and introductions.

All groups were tasked to return to CZO for 1330 hours for lunch and to undertake an initial analysis of their research.

Group One: Kirsten Kothe (CZO)
Sean Clow (FWP)
Eleonora Leopardi (LGAS)
Norman Bambridge (FWP)

The topic for research: Energie Verbauch
Energy Consumption
Consumo Energetico.

The questions for analysis: 1. The needs of people.
2. What energy is used for.
3. The consequences of energy consumption.
4. Why change is necessary.

The source of information gathering commenced with obtaining an overview of the objectives of Econsense.De which is a forum for the sustainable development of German Business.

This initial task was to establish the topic and speaker for that evening (21 May) via an Internet Café at Friedrichstrasse Station which upon completion would enable that knowledge to be an introduction to meeting the Berlin Energy Advisor at Kaiserdamm.

That subject was Klimafolgenforschungen (how sustainable development is possible for science, society and economy in climatic research and the consequences of change) delivered by Prof. Schellruben of Potsdam Institute.

The facts and figures we were required to analyse were related to Mtoe (Million tonnes of Oil Equivalent) energy, comparing Germany, Italy and England and the changes over the past fifteen years (to 2005).

This was followed by a meeting with Herr Bramigk at a Hotel in Kaiserdamm. He is a state energy efficiency advisor specialising in the residential sector and was able to give information on how energy is used, how much residual energy is wasted and how to educate ourselves, our cohorts and peers in energy reduction.

He was able to give handouts showing efficiency savings particularly on residual wastage (appliances that are left on, for example computers and associated equipment, videos, less than full fridges and freezers etc.) which alone could save around two hundred euros annually per household. Also, thermostat reduction, by one degree would save six percent of the annual cost of heating a home.

Group two: Christian Düntsch (CZO)
Matthew Elliott (FWP)
Aaron Acraman (FWP)
Lewis Lacey. (FWP)

The topic for research: Energy technology.
Technologie.
Tecnologia energetica

The questions for analysis: Wind Turbines.
Solar mirrors.
Solar panels.
Building design.
Other forms of technology including tidal and bio-mass.

The students presented an overview of their research to the audience which included discussion items for the school on the possibility of using solar panels as their new building design had flat roof space and also using wind turbines on the site to generate some of their own power needs.


Group three: Gorgia Bova (LGAS Roma)
Valentina Boresta (LGAS Roma)

The topic for research: School energy footprint.
Piano energetico per la scuola.

The questions for analysis: What is the new CZO building’s carbon footprint.
How can energy reduction be achieved.
The ‘footprint’ of the school now and in the future.

Group four:

The topic for research: Energy Justice (rights) and Law (Legislation).
Giustizia (diritti) e normative energetica (leggi).

The questions for analysis: Individual rights to use energy.
How nations must support technology and education in developing countries.
Developing the use of solar energy.
Education and eco friendly schools.

Group five: Teresa Ciaffaroni (LGAS Roma)
Dorothea Visentin (CZO)
Eleonora Alecci (LGAS Roma)
Fiorella Angerame (LGAS Roma)
Irene Moroni (LGAS Roma)
Michele Hubel. (CZO)

The topic for research: Energy future.
Futoro dell’energia.

The questions for analysis: National energy production.
Eco friendly and sustainable energy.
The balance between needs and production.
Emission friendly energy.

The source of information gathering started with an interview of a senior member of Eleven Solar GmbH, a business dealing with environmental, Bio and energy technology situated in Volmerstrasse.

The task was to establish national energy produced from alternative sources in general and solar in particular. The interview was held in the company meeting room and held in German with translation by Frau Dorothea Visentin.

The facts gathered mostly related to solar energy, comparing Germany, Italy and Spain and the expected changes in the next ten years or so to 2020.

We were informed currently just 1% of energy is from solar or renewable sources in Germany while the EU has set the level of energy produced from alternative sources at 20% by 2020. The representative felt confident this goal would be achieved since there is both financial reward and penalty and many EU countries, particularly southern European such as Italy and Spain are progressing well.

The students also requested to see a photovoltaic panel and he explained as to how it works adding that five such panels on a standard residential property would make it energy independent.

The second programmed interview was with an advisor from a firm specialising in the residential sector dealing with the building of low-energy homes and we were taken to view a neighbourhood containing a whole street of such properties. It was explained how energy is used, how much residual energy is wasted and how to educate ourselves in energy reduction.
We also received handouts showing the construction techniques and energy saving devices used.

WEDNESDAY EVENING.

Wednesday evening, all delegates were given time off for sightseeing with their own or combined groups and FWP teachers and students visited the Reichstag and new Parliament buildings, Brandenberg Tor (Gate) and Unter den Linden and onto the Sony Centre in Potsdamerplaz.

Italian students visited the historic Schloss (Castle) and area at Charlottenburg and the park and included Prof.Carlo Panizzon discussing the historical background of the city and the Henzollern family and how they were prominent in helping to unify Germany and create an empire.

Charlottenburg was built at the end of the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth century in a style similar to Versailles.

THURSDAY 22 MAY 2008.

The conference advisors asked each group to prepare presentations, either by power point or by direct delivery (which was the method Group one chose) and for each group to also focus on one topic of how the school could develop energy efficiency.

Following the presentations, the groups with Teresa Ciaffaroni and Norman Bambridge had already formed the view that CZO develop the concept of and Energy Manager linked to financial management of the school, would be a factor in the future of energy efficiency.

This provoked discussion on the financial constraints both in Berlin and in Roma, however, in developing the idea concluded that:

1. If and Energy Manager was employed specifically for that task, it may prove an unsustainable financial burden to which the school could not afford, but

2. If a post was changed within the existing school (non-teaching) structure to have responsibility for energy management, this could be a consideration, particularly if this included financial reward for proven energy efficiency and financial savings.

Both Maria Ciaffaroni and Norman Bambridge and the students from their groups discussed and developed the potential for this role to include:

• The reduction in the amount of energy the building consumes
• How the building uses energy.
• Action planning on energy reduction.
• On-going targets and monitoring.

The benefits of improving energy efficiency:

• Lower energy costs.
• Reduced carbon emissions.
• Improved working and teaching environments.
• Better financial control.
• Legislative compliance.
• Corporate and social responsibility.

Having such a role within the school would enable –

Electrical:
• Obtaining a provider at competitive prices.
• Purchasing electrical management systems.
• Provision of data including budgeting forecasting, historical, annual current and future.
• Turbine provision within the school environment.

Water:
• Surveying school water provision and capability. (Where, what and if it is needed and ‘benchmarking’ areas).
• Water saving devices that could be installed, including Infra red and push taps, urinal controls and flow restrictors.
• Investigating water waste and leakages.
• Monitoring use.
• Rainwater harvesting.

POST LUNCH PRESENTATIONS.
Both LGAS Roma and FWP Canvey Island students had worked on projects and presentations from the December Roma Conference and presented their findings during the afternoon session.

A total of six presentations (five Italian and one English) were made overall and Furtherwick students thanked Nick Walker (Special projects Manager) of Veolia from Pitsea in Essex for his assistance in hosting a student visit enabling them to present a power point delivery to the conference on Waste Management and Energy Conversion.

All teachers were given a copy including the professional energy advisors who requested a copy. A copy of the FWP presentation will also be given to Mr. Walker at Veolia.
Also, the FWP presentation of the visit to Veolia at Pitsea is included on the LGAS di Roma blog (http://takeaction-improveyourlife.blogspot.com/).

Two of the Italian presentations included the very current situation in Naples on illegal waste dumping and management, presented by Laura Lucantoni and secondly, Fair Trade in Italy presented by Alessia Guarnera and Flavia Torella.

A SOCIAL EVENING.

Our hosts had arrange a social evening including dinner in Volkspark Weinberg near Nordbanhoff which proved to be the highlight of the conference through they manner in which all students interacted with each other and undoubted friendships formed.

FRIDAY MORNING 23 MAY 2008.
Furtherwick Park students and staff were invited to attend English classes at CZO which all enjoyed, hopefully including the CZO students.

Whilst not being a new idea, has potential to also make presentations on the conference achievements to other class groups within the school.

Both the Italian and English school groups visited Alexanderplaz in order to shop and show some of the differences between the former East and West Berlin and since the wall came down.

SUMMARY

In our opinion, this was a most successful conference with a structured organisation and a range of issues which enabled students to research, meet and discuss and make presentations of their finding to peer groups.

Other observations for conference enhancements in the future could include developing
pre-conference presentations based upon the research topics of the conference topics.

It was noted Furtherwick Park School are no longer funded under the Comenius project and future attendance requires self funding.

It was also mentioned that Sintermeerten College, Heerlen (Netherlands) were unable to send delegates to this conference.

Our grateful thanks to our hosts Christian and Thomas for all their hard work in making this a success.

Maria Teresa Ciaffaroni (LGAS di Roma) and Norman Bambridge (FWP Canvey Island)
May 2008.

Notes from Rome conference - March/April 2008

In attendance

Project teacher:
Maria Paola Aloi – (Liceo Ginnasio Augusto Statale di Roma)
Carlo Panizzon – (Liceo Ginnasio Augusto Statale di Roma)
M. Teresa Ciaffaroni – Liceo Ginnasio Augusto Statale di Roma)

Students:
Eleonora Alecci – (LGAS di Roma)
Fiorella Angerame – (LGAS di Roma)
Valentina Boresta – (LGAS di Roma)
Laura Lucantoni – (LGAS di Roma)
Irene Moroni – (LGAS di Roma)
Girogia Bova – (LGA di Roma)
Alessia Guarnera – (LGAS di Roma)
Flavia Torella – (LGAS di Roma)
Silva Valentini – (LGAS di Roma)
Eleonora Leopardi – (LGAS di Roma)
Students from 4H (LGSA di Roma)

Christian Düntsch (Carl Zeiss Oberschule – Berlin)
Thoms Schäfer (Carl Zeiss Oberschule – Berlin)
Frau Gundel Fischer
Students: Kerstin Kothe (CZO Berlin)
Michelle Hubel (CZO Berlin)
Vera (CZO Berlin)
Susann (CZO Berlin)
William (CZO Berlin)
Max (CZO Berlin)
Wiebke (CZO Berlin)

Monday 31st March.2008

Morning
The German delegation arrived Arrival at Ciampino Airport and the students met their host families at LGS “Augusto” .

Afernoon
In the afternoon the German delegation went on a sightseeing tour in the city centre which was concluded by dinner at a typical restaurant with Italian teachers and students.

Tuesday 1st April.2008


Morning
The German students attended lessons according to their hosts’ timetable

Afernoon

The German delegation enjoyed a Guided Tour of Circo Massimo held by the Italian students.

Wednesday 2nd April2008

Morning
First the German students attend lessons according to their hosts’ timetable then from
10.10 to 13.10 the Comenius Project meeting was held at LGS “Augusto” multimedia room.
During the proceedings of the Comenius project various issues related to the project were discussed. Class IV H presented the results of investigations conducted by the students about the environment and sustainable development. The conference offered an opportunity to see that the sensitivity to the issue of sustainability is spreading within our school even beyond the circle of the project working group.
The students then presented the results of the questionnaire submitted to LGSA and CZO students in February. The German students elaborated and commented on the data gathered with the questionnaire already submitted last year and they also added a summary report of data collected in February. The Italian students presented a detailed report on data from the February questionnaire, which are particularly interesting since they concern the whole population of our school. Finally data from students compared/contrasted the data obtained from 2007 and 2008 questionnaire.
In the third section the Italian students proposed a few issues as food for thought for the future work on the Project.

Afternoon
The students also made a visit to a fair trade shop. It was a good opportunity to get first hand knowledge of this kind of business get to know some aspects of this activity in detail. The German students were able to compare the Italian shop with similar stores in Germany

The day ended with a common dinner at a typical Roman pizzeria.

Notes from Rome conference - November 2007

Present:

Clara Rech (Principal) Liceo Ginnasio Statale Augusto, Rome

Maria Teresa Ciaffaroni (Co-host) LGSA Rome.

Carlo Panizzon (Co-host) LGSA Rome.

Paola Aloi (Project Leader) LGSA Rome.

Christian Duntsch (Project Co-ordinator) Carl Zeiss Oberschule Berlin.

Thomas Scafer (Project Leader) Carl Zeiss Oberschule Berlin.

Hans Joachim Rhode (Deputy Headteacher) Carl Zeiss Oberschule Berlin.

Marc Neven (Project Leader) Sintermeerten College Heerlen, Holland.

Marielle Rooduijn (Project Leader) Sintermeerten College, Heerlen, Holland.

Norman Bradley (Project Leader) Furtherwick Park School, Canvey Island, Essex.

Paula Quinn (Project Leader) Furtherwick Park School, Canvey Island, Essex.

Norman Bambridge (Advisor) Furtherwick Park School Canvey Island, Essex.
Students:

Valentina Bauccio (LGSA Rome)

Flavia Tocella (LGSA Rome)

Srevia Valeuthu (LGSA Rome)

Sean Clow (FWP Canvey Island)

Aaron Acraman (FWP Canvey Island)

Lewis Lacey (FWP Canvey Island)

(SM Heerlen)

(SM Heerlen)

(SM Heerlen)

(SM Heerlen)

In attendance:

The class group from LGSA Rome.

The co-hosts (MTC and CP) introduced the School Principal (Head teacher) Clara Rech who formally welcomed all the delegates and students attending this conference at LGSA and

re-iterated how much importance was attached to energy and environmental sustainability projects and was sure the outcome of this project would have positive outcomes to that need.

Carlo Panizzon outlined the project aim and objectives for the Conference from the agenda previously circulated which were:

Aims: Forms of Energy and Production.
Objectives: Review the use of Energy by using sustainable alternatives.
Processes to include: Pupils creating Individual Environmental Plans.An overall School sustainability plan on energy usage and the potential for saving.A Media/School handbook which includes the review projects.

Communication between students and schools.

Marc Neven mentioned that the students from Sintermeerten had produced a power point presentation as their introduction to this project meeting based upon the use of Minewater heating in the Limburg which was formally a coal mining region.

This was commended as being informative, well thought out and containing all of the processes of research for any topic chosen by all other schools.

They also gave a second (discussion) presentation based upon developing and undertaking surveys of peer groups and the collating of information based upon the preparation of Individual Environmental Plans.

He also mentioned other projects his students were undertaking including the recycling of ‘training’ shoes which the worldwide brand named company will shortly be contacted to establish what they may already have in place and, what the future plans are for recycling.

Referring back to the Mine Water presentation, he suggested that Water problems are not restricted to one particular country, noting the very recent issues again on tidal surges and flood and coastal defences the consequences of which all pupil could review the issues and perhaps produce linked ideas and solutions.

A discussion concluded that pre-emptive peer group surveys for the Individual Environment Plans could be followed by a project end survey to ascertain if thoughts and actions has changed over that period, necessarily regardless whether it was from the same student and commencement.

On the subject of video or handbook production, it was seen as a means of showing the project development to other groups including EU funding co-ordinators and could form part of the joint project report.

Paola Aloi agreed with Student lead groups, as those were attending this conference and how this better radiates information with their peer groups. She also supported the fact of each country has the same generic problems, perhaps only affected by the priority each country places on the issue. For example, in Italy, the current emphasis places Waste Disposal and Recycling very high on the political agenda.

Norman Bradley mentioned the proposed expansion of the wind farm located offshore in the Thames Estuary, to which this pilot scheme exists of some twenty wind turbines and depending upon the results will positively inform the eventual expansion and thereby determine the eventual numbers.

Also, two fairly local schemes will form the base project information on sustainable energy production for students at Furtherwick Park School, one being the Veolia Landfill site at Pitsea, our adjoining borough neighbour and how they are active in the capture and conversion of methane into electricity and their expansion plans to increase current levels of eight megawatts to twelve megawatts.

They have also produced a school based DVD which through Norman Bambridge being a member of their consultative committee, had previously been distributed to this schools consortium.

It is intended to request Veolia’s Manager of Special Projects (Nick Walker) to arrange a small teacher and student lead group of up to eight people, to visit the site shortly with perhaps a follow up of them lecturing student groups at the school and perhaps extend their support by some means of formal linking.

The second area project involves the Tilbury Power Station’s (Coal fired) intention to close in 2015 and to review current energy factors and environmentally led industrial changes now underway to make their production more energy efficient. This links directly to alternative provision already mentioned through wind farms.

Christian Duntsch observed that FWP (Canvey Island) SM (Heerlen) and CZ (Berlin) were already working on Energy and Environment projects whilst LGSA (Roma) were discussing Waste Disposal and Recycling and this met the aims of the project in context that:

Holland: Water and energy heating efficiency.

Germany: Solar energy efficiency.

England: Alternative energy capture and efficiency.

Italy: Recycling, landfill and energy capture.

He also supported the need for Individual environment Plans, noting the generic areas could be different but necessarily would have a structure or survey process that teachers could agree upon which may prove similar to all projects.

Thomas Schafer supported the fact of alternative forms of energy production benefits the school environment and would show that these ideas for IEP’s could have similar processes but produce different and abstract solutions or benefits that had not been considered singularly.

Paul Quinn said this would raise the issue of communication detail which although mentioned earlier has to be carefully considered as to the time effort at commencement and project aims over the two year period. Also, the issue of all schools have or not having conferencing networks.

Hans Joachim Rohde highlighted how important student interaction was, but was also equally aware not all schools having video conferencing facilities, so that a universal project method should be established.

Sean Clow (FWP Student) led the student response in supporting the need for students to communicate with each other or lead group, which also should include proposed and actual methods of presentation. This was also mentioned by the LGSA lead students.Christian Duntsch suggested that all project leaders and co-ordinators consider using a central base communication channel such a Etwinning, which also fulfils another requirement of accessing project development to others and that each representative should look into this.

It was noted that another proprietary method used earlier this year had not proved successful.

Maria Teresa Ciaffaroni said this was imperative to a successful project and would be viewed in that context by outside agencies who could also link to a communal information base. She also mentioned that Video Conferencing is not yet available to LGSA.

Paula Quinn said that year one of the project should concentrate on topic production and individual video monitoring to which most students seem to have a greater ability to undertake whilst year two could conclude with video conferencing exchange and even a communal video presentation, possible even including those companies who may have acted as consultants or advisors during the project development.

Norman Bradley explained the current situation regarding the future of Furtherwick Park School. This unfortunately includes not being accepted into this next round of funding meaning that the school was self funding this project lifetime of 2007 and 2008 and that at conclusion, with the impending closure in 2011 would consider the effectiveness of continuing in 2009 through 2010.

He also explained some of the legal requirements of the Local Education Authority (Essex LEA) has as regards the safety of pupils and this has placed restrictions on how we both host and receive students.

Christian Duntsch sought agreement on the number of meetings that should take place between project co-ordinators and project leaders with students where necessary, which resulted in agreement that four meetings will be held over the two years one meeting of which will be a host meeting.

All teachers will e-mail him with preferred dates as soon as possible, with also the probability the next meeting will be in Heerlen. It was also noted that not all meeting may necessarily involve student attendance particularly where this impacts upon curriculum and finance although of course it is always preferred. It was also agreed that presentations will continue to be undertaken in English

The conference included visits to various locations of this city, most of which can only be described as awe inspiring in concept and build. The hospitality and friendship that has evolved over many years of association, necessarily changed by both schools, teachers subject matter and location in the cultural and curriculum sense has made this another success for Europe.

Norman Bambridge