Cuba

Our success

After the great time in Cuba we have since been recognised for our efforts on the trip, receiving acknowledgement for the Global Community in the Standard Life Achievement Awards. We have had articles published in the UK Sec Education Magazine, written by Ross Cruikshank called “Broadening Horizons” and articles written by Jack and Lewis published in the City of Edinburgh Council November Newsletter, titled “A visit to Charismatic Fidel Castro and the history of Che”. Also Lewis Renton will write an article in the General Teaching Council Magazine in January 2010. Last week we were invited to speak to Gerry Corbett, who is a President of the Scottish Cuban Solidarity Champagne and Councillor Gordon Munro. On the 9^th of December we were invited to the City Chambers to meet His Excellency, the Cuban Ambassador for the UK who is visiting Scotland and talked to him about the trip and showed him a video of our Cuba experience, which shows what we got up to on the trip.

This shows that not only we had a good time, we helped out the local communities we visited various interesting places in the island but our visit benefited them in several ways. Everyone who went on the trip to Cuba, including teachers and students, enjoyed the trip and put in a lot of effort to make it a success, which it certainly was. I had an outstanding experience in Cuba and one that will remain with us forever.

Richard Pia

Pupils with Cuban Ambassador

Mr. Montenegro is now organising a trip to Perú. More information from room 3.30

Ross Cruickshank has written an article which has been published in a magazine called SEC-ED. To view it please go to www.sec-ed.co.uk, then press digital edition, look for the Scottish edition from the 27th of August and finally find  pages 12-13.

MM

www.sec-ed.co.uk

Hola parents, todos/das,

Thanks very much for coming along to share the Cuban trip photos and the excellent video made by Murray. It was certainly a very enjoyable evening for parents, participants and teachers.

The photos will say how much fun we had.

Have a great Summer,

MM

Hola todos/das,

Thanks to all those who came at lunch time today. It was great to see you all again and being able to get your valuable feedback. Thanks also for the photos and hope to get more from everyone else.

The meeting with parents will be on Wednesday the 1st of July at 5:00 with lots pictures see.

Looking forward to seeing you all then,

MM

CostaSur hotel, Ancona Península bus journey to Havana

Once we had breakfast and packed up all our stuff it was time to leave!! We all couldn’t believe the time had come. Our journey today on the nice air-conditioned bus, which was a big plus as it was really hot outside, was going to take about 5 hours. Many of us were tired and so went to sleep, not for me; Euan Ham came to sit next to me just for a few minutes, 3 hours later we were still chatting. After stopping for lunch at a mini dinner we had our last stretch of journey before hitting Havana. It was so weird being back in Havana as it had seemed so long since we were there but it had only been about a week.

- Rosie

Visit to the convent – Hand out donations

Before heading to the airport we stopped off at the convent that Annie and Lewis visited on Sunday, to leave them some donations. They told us that lots of children and other Cubans will benefit from the stationary, musical instruments, soap and medicines that we gave them, which we are all glad about. We all sat down together and the nuns gave us lemonade, then talked to us about the good work they do all over the world. We had time to take some photographs there before saying adiós to the nuns and getting back on the coach to go to the airport. –

Shona

Flight to Paris

The flight was not too bad but much to everyone’s disappointment the same films were playing as on the way there, although it seemed a little shorter than on the way there because we slept. Also, we experienced a lot of turbulence and also a rather rough landing, but aside from that and the food it wasn’t too bad, would do it again.

Flight to Edinburgh

A very good one. Most had a good sleep, good landing but a bit delay leaving the plane. Family and friends waiting for all of us.

Can’t wait to talk about the Cuban experience with all friends and family!

HOLA DAD,

Two more blogs posted from Havana airport. Already checked in and just waiting to board the plane

Richard

Happy dad’s day dad. Have a good day and I’ll give you a Cuban present when I get back.

Jack

Hola Papa, hope you have a nice day and the weather is good! See you both in a month J xxx

Mike R

Have a happy fathers day!!!!!!!   Hope you have a joyful time. Jx

Mike S

Happy fathers day! See you tomorrow .

Ewan B

Hi dad, happy father’s day, have a good time. See you soon.

Annie

Hey papa, have a good father’s day, I’ll see you when I get back vlakas. Love Annie x

Lewis

Have a good fathers day. Hope Ellen gets you something because I forgot!!

Rosie

Happy Father’s Day!!!!!!!!Hey Papa, having a great time and your photography tips has come in useful!!! Love you loads and hope you haven’t missed me too much! Love Rosie (your 3^rd daughter)

Ross

Hey dad its Ross, happy fathers day hope you have a good one! Cya when I get back love you

Callum

Hey dad having a great time in Cuba, but glad to be coming back and hope you have a fantastic fathers day.

Olmo

Hi dad Cuba is great lots of sun and very hot I hope you will have a great fathers day and I am happy to come back to Edinburgh were it is not so hot.

Murray

Happy Father’s Day Dad, see you on Monday, love you.

Canta

I’ve had a great time in Cuba, thank you very much, have a great an prosperous father’s day.

Shona

Hola padre! Have a great father’s day! Having an amazing time, see you soon! Love you! J xxx

Josh

Hey daddykins/lord foster. I’ve had a good time, but looking forward to getting back. Happy fathers day.

Euan H

Hi dad have a great day hope Jamie had a god day see you when I get back lots of love

euan