Tuesday

After assembly I visited the nearby pre-school. Here children aged 3-5 years of age prepare for primary school. I observed them starting the day with daily worship and singing. There were lovely displays of the childrens work, many of which were made from coconut shells. The children showed me their playtime games and performed dances they have been practising. They do not have a stereo so they danced to music from the teachers mobile phone. Back at school I watched a Home Economics lesson where the class made a fruit salad using pineapple, bananas, papaya, and mango, all of which are grown locally. It was very fresh and tasty! I taught a lesson using photos of Southampton to compare Southampton to their town Tangalle. I enjoyed teaching the lesson and many teachers came to watch. At the end of the lesson the students, aged 15, each knelt down and bowed to me to show their respect. They do this to their parents each night before bed also. The Sri Lankan people are very kind and hospitable. The students are very well behaved and the school is very welcoming. The teachers have been taking it in turns to cook lunches and dinners for me in their homes and on Tuesday evening I went to dinner at the Principal's house.