Spanish Week
The TY class of 2007-2008 are the first year in CBS Charleville to study Spanish Language and Culture as apart of their curriculum. Beginning in September 2007, the class was extremely enthusiastic about learning a new language and were eager to arrange a week of events promoting Spanish Language and culture.
Thus we arranged the best time frame for the event would be the week of the 31st March 2008. The class divided into several committees’ to arrange different events for the whole school and made a presentation to the school’s Principal Mr. Clarke on February 27th. Mr. Clarke suggested the week should be spread over two weeks to accommodate all teachers and students.
The decorations and advertising committee (Luke Barrett, Luke Hudner, Niall Hanley, Rory O’ Connor and Timmy Watson) started making posters, flyers, flags and various other decorations advertising the events (time, place and price) the week prior to the events commencing.
The first event was the 2nd to the 3rd of April ‘El torneo de fútbol’ (Soccer Tournament) for First and Second Year students. The TY students (Andrew Cagney, Tony Roche, Niall Hanley, Luke Hudner, Timmy Watson and Luke Barrett) organised the students into teams and gave them the colour which they had to wear. Each team was representing a Spanish Club. The TY’s refereed all matches. The semi-final and final (for 1st and 2nd Year) was played on the 3rd of April.
The second event was ‘El concurso de la cultura española’ (Spanish Culture Quiz). The quiz committee (Ollie Browne, Stephen Dawson, Andrew Cagney, Dara Carey, Ciaran Fox, Eric Heffernan, Niall McEvoy, Jamie Moloney, Michael O’Donnell and Cian O’Sullivan) who were assisted by the rest of the TY class complied all the questions which consisted of Spanish and Latin American History, Geography, Sport and Popular Cultural for 1st and 2nd year students.
The second week began on 8th of April and the third event was ‘El Día del cine español’ (Spanish Cinema Day) for the junior years. Students could vote which Spanish film they wanted to watch. The TY students made a list of films for the junior students to choose from and they voted to see ‘Zorro’.
The fourth event of Spanish Language and Culture Week was on the 9th of April. The TY class arranged ‘El concurso de la cultura española’ (Spanish Culture Quiz) for the 5th Year Students. The questions were based on Spanish and Latin American History, Geography, Sport and Popular Cultural but were to a higher and more challenging level. The TY students organised the 5th Year students into teams.
The fifth event was the 10th of April ‘El día del cine español’ (Spanish Cinema Day) for the senior years. Students had a choice between ‘Todo sobre mi madre’ (All About My Mother), ‘El laberinto del fauno’ (Pan’s Labyrinth), ‘Los diarios de motociclismo’ (Motorcycle Diaries) and ‘Mar adentro’ (Sea Inside). The students choose to watch ‘El laberinto del fauno’.
The final day of Spanish Language and Culture Week concluded on Friday 11th of April. The final event was ‘El Mercado español’ (Spanish Market). It took place at lunch time in the school yard and catered to all years. The TY students pre-prepared Spanish food like bocadillos de jamón y queso (ham and cheese rolls), bocadillos de chorizo (chorizo rolls), tortilla española (Spanish omelette) and tapas.
Spanish Language and Culture Week was an extremely successful and the TY’s put in tremendous effort and preparation into the two weeks. I want to thank the TY class, the entire teaching staff of CBS Charleville for their co-operation and for facilitating the events during class times, Principal Mr. T. Clarke and Deputy Principal Mr. T. O’Callaghan for their support and help and Mr. M. O’Callaghan (School Caretaker) for all his help and assistance. Finally, I want to thank all the students of CBS Charleville for their enthusiastic participation and co-operation during the two weeks.
Ms. Georgina Barrett
(Spanish Language Teacher)
