09/05/12….Thame teachers forge links with Romanian schools

TWO Thame primary school teachers have described how they had their ‘breath taken away’ by the beauty of the Alpine town of Sinaia in Romanian, from where they have just returned.

Sue Boyle of Barley Hill School, and Rachel Butler of John Hampden School, visited Sinaia last week (April 30 ? May 5) as part of an exchange initiated by the Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association (TSFA) with the support of the Sinaia Town Hall.

Rachel Butler recalled their first impressions: ?Sue and I enjoyed six wonderful days in the beautiful Romanian town of Sinaia. We were made to feel welcome and the beauty of the alpine town was breath-taking.

?While there we discussed with our English-teacher hosts ways of linking our schools, Barley Hill and John Hampden, with George Enescu, the larger primary school in the town of Sinaia. Such links will provide opportunities for all the children to make contact with, and learn about, a school in a different country and to get an insight into the life the children there lead.”

Rachel added: ?We met the Mayor of Sinaia, Vlad Oprea, and discussed the future of the link between Sinaia and Thame. We hope our work with the school in Sinaia will continue for many years. In July we expect our hosts to come to Thame, and look forward to proudly showing them our beautiful town and returning the generous hospitality we received on our trip to Romania.?

Marius Ciortan, TSFA?s Secretary added: ?We are delighted that one of our first twinning projects with Sinaia is now a reality and it opens opportunities for the youngest citizens of Thame to forge friendships with pupils in Sinaia. We are looking forward to hearing from other individuals who wish to join TSFA and bring their own ideas of people exchanges between the two towns.?

For more information about TSFA (Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association) please contact Marius Ciortan on 07764 85 49 49 or e?mail: marius.ciortan@btinternet.com