All the schools involved in the Link are now working together to further develop their topic on culture and food. Samples of fabric and typical recipes were taken back to Newton and the Newton teachers described the diet of Sierra Leone children and the problems associated with growing and obtaining their food. Whilst the Head Teachers were here in May progress was made on how the schools could work more effectively together in the future such as exchanging regular newsletters, informing the pupils about the activities of their link school.

It is hoped that the schools can apply for further funding to enable more staff to undertake recpirocal visits and therefore help their pupils understand more about life in a different country.

Also seen here is a new school to the Link. Mrs Doris Harding is the head of Samuyu Primary School in Newton. The school was founded in the early 1990sby members of the St Mary's Church- which is linked to St Peter and St Paul Church in Olney. There is a total of 200 pupils with 5 teachers. The ages range is nursery to class 6. We are hoping to find a local school to link with them shortly.

The local schools in Olney are building up the links to schools in Newton. Olney Middle School is linked to a school in Katu Town Newton, and latest news from the head Kumba Nfalie is that they recently had a sports day which went well, and the year 6 students have recently taken their National Primary School exams. During the visit by Claire Lintern and Sally Odgers a scrapbook complied by the students of OMS was presented to the school, and the students of Katu school are working on their own version which will be returned to OMS in the near future. The school is working towards the completion of their new classroom, as currently they have to run classes outside. As it is now the rainy season the work cannot be finished soon enough. The school greeted the UK visitors with songs and dances, and they were made very welcome by all.

Olney Infants have been involved for a while, and have their annual Africa Week to help the children learn about the culture and lifestyle of people all over the continent. They have provided financial assistance for the construction of a new toilet block at the REC school in Newton. Here you can see the  toilet block being built and completed. 

A big "Thank you" to Olney Infants School!!

However, the REC school still are using buildings that have been condemned. The roof is rotten and looks ready to collapse, and 2 classes have to share the space. As always, there is more work to be done to help these schools continue to provide the quality of education that is required if the pace of change in Sierra Leone is to be maintained.

The Olney Campus of Ousedale is now also involved in ONL, and have done a range of events to raise awareness as well as funds. They have done fantastic work this term which has meant  that the Ahmadiyya secondary school in Newton can now have a generator. Once this has been received a computer will be suppiled to the school and it can then become a centre for the West Africa Examination Board, as well as improve communication between the 2 schools.

It was clear throughout the time that Sally and Claire were in Newton that education is a high priority in Newton, and the importance of the schools links cannot be emphasised enough. The children made them feel welcome and they wanted to show their pride in their surroundings and achievements. As Claire said "the link is a 2 way learning process, they are so proud of their schools even though to our eyes they seem dilapidated and basic. Yet they achieve so much it puts our schools and attitidues into a different perspective"

Keep an eye on this page- more news to follow!