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The purpose of this report is to describe and comment on the exchange visit of Ruy Barbosa High School from Warsaw, Poland, to Houghton Kepier School in Sunderland, England (18-22 September 2006) and Houghton Kepier School to Ruy Barbosa High School (21-26 October 2006). The Polish group consisted of one teacher, Katarzyna Niemyjska, and six students and the English team: four teachers and twenty students. The aim of both visits was to compare and evaluate the training of young leaders, to get new ideas for our local festivals and to discuss future cooperation with our partner school. To further the link, which has existed for almost two years, having worked on: 1) developing mutual knowledge and understanding of each other’s culture, especially working on the cultural project aiming to compare the capitals of the cooperating schools’ provinces (interesting places, facts, celebrities, etc.), outcomes of which to be presented on schools’ websites; 2) embeding the links which have already been established between the two schools; 3) delivering Sports Festivals with both UK and Polish Young Sports Leaders; 4) for staff sharing ideas in a number of areas; 5) designing a workable project that is embedded in both curricula. To cover the above goals, the Polish group during the visit to England, took part in the number of activities and events. The programme of the visit involved: Monday 18 September - learning about history and culture of London through visiting historical sites: Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the Odeon Cinema. Tuesday 19 September - a visit to Houghton Kepier School in Sunderland and a meeting with its headteacher, who provided us with general information about the school. The meeting was followed by a walk around the school, observing lessons and a chat with teachers and students. Then, we went to Durham to visit the historical cathedral and castle. In the afternoon, sports leaders from both schools worked on organizing Thursday’s Dreams and Teams festival. Wednesday 20 September - a sightseeing tour round Newcastle: Millennium and Eye Bridges, the Sage Gateshead and finally the Baltic Centre. A trip to the coast of the North Sea followed by an enjoyable climb at Sunderland Climbing Wall. Thursday 21 September – taking part in the Sports Festival where the Polish sports leaders had a chance to conduct all the ativities. English children enjoyed the event. In the evening, we went shopping to the Metro Centre, the second biggest shopping center in Europe. This trip was combined with a visit to a fish and chips restaurant, where the students could try typical British food. Friday 22 September – a trip to Luton Airport. This programme could be succesfully fulfilled mainly because of the financial support from the British Council (£1800), which allowed us to cover the following costs: 1) 7 return flights at £62 each = £432; 2) a minibus trip from Luton to Sunderland = £150; 3) accommodation costs for 4 nights in Sunderland = £560 (£20 per person per night); 4) meals for 4 days = £560 (£20 per person); 5) funds left for organizing the English vist to Poland = £98. To sum up, our visit to England was extremely successful. The students’ impressions will evaluate the exchange in the most objective way: Ewa Szarkowska says, I really enjoyed our visit to England. I have never been there before so I could see many places for the first time. London was amazing city for me and many another places too. I had also opportunity to make some new contacts. We met a lot of people there and we could practice our language. I think that trips like this are needed because they learn us cooperation with students from another countries. Marcin Rucinski claims, Our trip to England was a wonderful experience of my life. I hope I’ll have chance to come back there In the future. Whilst I visited England I went to two beautiful places which where, Sunderland and London, I enjoyed both alot. In Sunderland I helping to organise a sports festival in Houghton kepier School. I got to know all of the students involved in the Dreams and Teams project alot better, and made good friends with many of them. Another positve aspect of my trip was the inprovement of my understand of the English Language. Barbara Bakula adds, I have been spending wonderful time in England. It was great adventure and I hope that I will come back there. But something about it. The Englishm en are fantastic people. They have really other and better attitudes, and they can look more optimistic at world. They are more friendly than Polish. They also have different life style- they have time for everything- not like us. Their architecture is nice too. From the other hand, I don't like english food. It tastes awfull and artificial. But at true I want to come back there as soon as possible. Adrianna Rosochacka says, I’m really stisfied wisth visiting Sunderland and taking part In Dreas&Teams festiwal. I’d broaded my knowledge abort Great Britian Moreover., I’d spent great time with British people, suproved my English and visited delightful, historical places. In addifien leading the sport festiwal for Britsh children was a pleasure for me. They baps with energy, were abidient and well – mamuered. Our trip to England was a wonderful experience of my life. I hope I’ll have chance to come back there In the future. Marcin Maj and Tomasz Terlecki add, In our opinion our visit to England was very eventful. Everything was organized and well prepared. English people were very friendly and helpful. We have made really good friends and still keep in touch. We have spent wonderful and enjoyable time there. The aims mentioned at the beginning of this report were also reached during the English visit to Poland. The students from both countries took part in the number of activities and events. The programme of the visit involved: Sunday 22 October – a sightseeing tour around the Old and New Town, the Royal Castle in Warsaw totally guided by Polish students. An afternoon visit to the top floor of the Palace of Culture and Science. Monday 23 October - Sports festival planning and taking part in Polish and History lessons. After that watching performances of modern and traditional Polish dances, including a dance lessson for our guests, and a short parody of the Polish legend about “Wawelski Dragon”. In the afternoon, the whole Polish-English group headed for the Polish Public TV Studio. Tuesday 24 October - visiting the Concentration Camp in Auschwitz and a sightseeing tour around Kraków guided by Polish students. Wednesday 25 October – a Sports Festival Day organized at Primary School No 30 in Warsaw, which was observed by representives of the local goverment and education supervising department of the Ministry of Education. An afternoon visit to Arkadia Shopping Centre in Warsaw. Coming back to Barbosa High School to try traditional Polish dishes prepared by the Polish students and have a farewell party. Thursday 26 October – seeing off the English group to the airport. All in all, the exchanges were an unforgettable experience for both teachers and students. We discussed ideas concerning further participation and cooperation in the Dreams and Teams project as well as developed cross-cultural communication and improved foreign language skills. We believe the students benefited greatly from all the cooperative tasks and they learned to communicate in a better way and understand each other. The biggest advantage after the sports festivals is the fact that our students are able to define main social roles and take them in a more effective way than before. Finally, the students fulfilled the Dreams and Teams project goals having enjoyed the events greatly. We hope we could successfully continue the cooperation with Houghton Kepier School in the future. Beata Biernacka Katarzyna Niemyjska  Top
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