Last updated 07:09, Sunday, 16 November 2008

The diverse cultures and languages of the countries of Europe have been celebrated at St Pius X Catholic Primary School. Pupils from the Barrow school tell us in their own words how they marked the European Day of Languages at the end of September

LANDGIRLS: From the top, clockwise: Niamh Hornsby (Holland), Leah Puckey (Ukraine), Hannah Broadhead (Russia) and Maddie Knight (Greece) in costume

By Damian Armstrong (Year Six)

ON the European Day of Languages on Friday September 26 St Pius X Primary School pupils had lots of fun as they celebrated the languages and cultures of different European countries.

Year Six were learning about Spain and how to say ‘hello’ (hola) and ‘my name is’ (me llamo).

In Year Five they were learning about Holland and how flat the country is. Meanwhile, the Year Four children were learning about Ukraine and made table runners which had special patterns.

Year Three learned all about Russia. They learned how big the country is and how to say the colours and how to count to ten.

Year One learned about Germany. In a special assembly featuring all the classes, they performed a fairytale about the Pied Piper of Hamlyn, and there were lots and lots of rats that drowned in a river.

Reception found out about Italy. They told us that the Italians invented pizza and they counted to 10 in the language.

After the assembly some pupils told us about the countries they are linked with like Argentina, Ghana and the Philippines.

In the morning Year Six researched famous artists and the cities in Spain in the computer suite. They had rehearsed Spanish with their teacher and on Friday they registered in Spanish.

Each class had to wear the colours of their chosen country’s flag. Year Six wore red and yellow and some people dressed as flamenco dancers or wore Spanish football kits.

I thought that Year One were great with the piper and everything. I thought the whole day was brilliant and taught us a lot about our European neighbours.