scotland09

=Reunion in Scotland June 2009= The final project reunion was held at Doon Academy from 1st to the 7th June 2009. Three teachers and two students came from Romania, five teachers and two students came from Turkey, four teachers and five students came from Italy and five teachers came from Bulgaria. The students all stayed with families of our students. Monday was a travelling day. We were very lucky with the weather which was warm and sunny all week, which meant everyone could enjoy the outdoor programme. To see more photos of the meeting, go to [|Bubbleshare]

Tuesday
The participants who had arrived on Monday were taken for a walking tour of Ayr and Alloway. We went to the beach, had lunch sitting outside of a cafe in CambusDoon and then walked to Alloway Auld Kirk and Burns' Cottage. After we walked back to Ayr, participants were free to go around on their own.

Wednesday
This was the main project activity day. The participants were welcomed to Doon by Mr McKenzie and entertained by S1 and S2 pupils who sang, played music and danced for the guests. After the welcome, everyone was entertained to coffee by the Supported Learning Centre. Then the visiting teachers were taken on a tour of the school by Doon Academy pupils. After a typically Scottish lunch in the school canteen of fish and chips, the students went to the Physical Education department to practice the sports. Once the project business meeting had been completed, the students were joined by the staff for the main reunion activity of trying different sports. The visitors were introduced to cricket by the host team, then everyone had a go at volleyball, basketball, and tried out the fitness suite. In the evening Mrs Dorans entertained all the teachers to a buffet supper at her house.

Thursday
On Thursday the participants had a coach tour of area, combining a tour of Culzean Castle with a visit to Grant's Distillery at Girvan. We would like to thank Grant's for giving us a very interesting tour. In the evening everyone attended the project dinner at the Brig 'o Doon Hotel in Alloway. We had a lovely meal in delightful surroundings.

Friday
On Friday everyone went by bus to Edinburgh. We visited the Scottish Parliament and walked up the Royal Mile to the Castle. We had a tour of the Castle and then everyone was free for a couple of hours to go shopping or souvenir hunting.

Saturday
On Saturday we said goodbye to our Italian and Turkish friends who were leaving for their long return journeys. Our last visitors, the Romanian team, left on Sunday morning. We were sorry to see the end of the project and all promised to try to keep in touch and visiit each other again.