Getting a taste of life in Sri Lanka

Miss Claire McCann and Mrs Ann McConaghy, who teach at St Mary’s High School, visited Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud Girls College in Sri Lanka.

The link between the two schools began in 2005 and has been growing stronger ever since.

Last year staff and pupils from both schools were involved in the making of a DVD, which will be available to all UK schools to showcase the work that is being carried out.

While out in Sri Lanka the pair visited all departments in the school and experienced a variety of teaching methods and ideas to take home to Lurgan.

Miss McCann got a taste of the Sri Lankan cuisine as demonstrated by their Home Economics Department while she showed the staff and pupils in Sri Lanka how to make traditional Irish scones which was very well received.

The Sri Lankan pupils were very keen to learn about the Irish culture, food and music.

Mrs McConaghy got ideas for some fantastic art designs and techniques which she will incorporate into her lessons in St Mary’s.

Later this year, Miss McCann and Mrs McConaghy will be taking four students out to Sri Lanka so that they can develop a deeper understanding of the Sri Lankan culture.

Next Easter the visit will be reciprocated when four students and two teachers from Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud Girls College will be coming to St Mary’s.

The visits were sponsored by the Department for International Development and both Miss McCann and Mrs McConaghy thought their visit was both “inspirational and memorable.”