Visit to Ostfildern - December 2002

A second Comenius meeting was held in Germany from 11-15 December 2002 and was attended by Hilkka Rajakorpi from Finland, Bruna Tagliabue from Italy and George Davidson from Scotland.  Our host, Ingrid Stritzelberger organised a varied and most enjoyable programme during which the group attended English and Italian classes, met with the German students who were participating in the various Comenius projects and met with the school's staff to discuss future projects.

The Comenius Co-ordinators met to evaluate projects to date, to plan the remainder of the first year and to discuss the plans for the next year of the Comenius Project which requires the completion of an extensive renewal application form before 1 February 2003.  The group also undertook some training on the use of the forum facility of the new Comenius web site, www.ict-uceurope.net ,  which is due to be published in January 2003.

We were joined by Acting Rector,  Karen Prophet, on 13 December for a Headteacher Study Visit to the Otto-Hahn Gymnasium (our German partner school).  The group toured the school and looked at the management of timetabling and staffing. 

Some time was found for cultural pursuits such as a visit to a Manet Exhibition in Stuttgart and to the wonderful Christmas Markets of both Esslingen and Stuttgart.  The group enjoyed an informal meal with the German school's staff and spent a relaxing evening at our host Ingrid Stritzelberger's house. 

We also spent a wonderful Saturday afternoon and evening in Stuttgart hosted by Herr Bleicher,  the German Headteacher, when we sampled traditional local cuisine and excellent locally produced wines.

The visitors thanked their hosts Ingrid Stritzelberger and Dieter Bleicher for a most enjoyable visit and for their liberal hospitality.

See the pictures below. 

A visit to the Christmas Market at Esslingen	Ingrid and Hilkka at Esslingen
Sampling local produce in a Farmhouse Restaurant	Headteachers studying a timetable planner
Ms Prophet presenting a book to the OHG headteacher	Discussing projects with German students