Chantry had a few international visitors this week.  Fatima, from Saudi Arabia, and Zhambyl, from Kazakhstan, are both studying for an MA at Newcastle University and spent a few days with us in school to compare our education system with their own.

Fatima joined Year 6 to talk about her culture and the Al-Janadriyah Festival which celebrates the country’s heritage.

“It was great to have Fatima in school.  She had a lot to say about Saudi Arabia and it was all very interesting.”  Rebecca W

“I enjoyed hearing about the traditional dress in Fatima’s country.  I didn’t know that it is against the law for women to walk around outside without a head covering but if they are in their own homes, they don’t have to wear it.”  Lottie G-S

To read more about what our students learnt, click ‘continue reading’,

“I learnt about the Saudi flag.  The writing on the flag is about how, for them, there is one God, Allah.”  Jay P

“I really enjoyed having someone from another culture visiting us.  Fatima had excellent English and she told us it is because children learn it in schools from a very early age.”  Adam S

Pupils in 7H had a session with Zhambyl about his home country.

“I learnt so much about Kazakhstan.  Before the lesson, I didn’t even know it was a country.  I made a lot of notes during the session as I found his talk very interesting.”  Jasmine H

“I learnt some amazing facts.  In winter, the temperatures in Kazakhstan can get to -40 degrees.  The very shiny and majestic subway there took 23 years to build.  There is a large lake called Lake Balkhash which is fresh water in the western half but salt water in the east!  Last year, the country’s Saiga Antelope population was almost entirely wiped out by a disease which baffled top scientists. From the Western to the Eastern tip of Kazakhstan is the same length as the distance between London and Istanbul.  Like I said, a lot of facts!”  Lawrence M