During the week of 23rd-27th September 2019, we celebrated the European Languages we teach in school with coloured bunting, a lunch menu with a European flavour and lunchtime activities including face painting, fan making and edible Russian bracelets. The bunting created by all students in Year 7-9, in both of their languages, became a House competition. The winners were
In tutor groups, we looked at languages which are not spoken such as sign language and ‘silbo gomero’ (made entirely of whistles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0CIRCjoICA). We thought about why learning a language is important (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txABk3q4aHk) and watched clips of Pep Guardiola. He speaks 5 languages and often forgets which one he is meant to be speaking! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtWDBEXVUts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJprf_72CXg
Russian
Monday lunchtime at the start of the European Week of languages at Presdales, Year 12 Russianists helped students make sushki bracelets.
Sushki are traditional Russian small, crunchy, mildly sweet, bread rings eaten for dessert, usually with tea or coffee. The word sushka has a common root with the Russian verb sushit “to dry”. Traditionally, sushki were strung on a string for selling on the street or at regional markets, so we made mini versions.
Congratulations to the Russian general knowledge quiz winners: Saffi Adams (Year 12) Daisy Reid (Year 8) and Zoe Puncher (Year 9).
Italian
Tuesday was Italian day. Pasta alla carbonara was laid on in the school canteen and some of our lovely Year 8 and Year 12 students tested their make-up artistry skills to decorate Presdalian faces and hands in the red, green and white of the Italian flag. The colours of the tricolore are said to represent the green of the Italian countryside, the white of the snow-capped mountains and the red of the blood shed during the unification of Italy in the 19th century.
French
The French Department has been very busy during the European Week of Languages considering various aspects of French culture. Year 7 focused on food and drinks in French speaking countries. In Year 8, pupils researched beautiful natural sites and monuments in France, trying to look beyond Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Finally, Year 9 were very keen to present French inventions and creations. Pupils created some stunning bunting on those topics which will be displayed in the Language rooms in preparation for Secondary Transfer Evening. On Wednesday 25th September, our Year 12 students organised a lunchtime activity and were very busy helping Year 7 creating Blue, White, Red jewellery with Hama beads.
German
In German, Year 7 researched facts about Germany. Year 8 researched facts about the 2 other German speaking countries, Switzerland and Austria, and Year 9 looked into fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, discovering that many of our well-known fairy tales originate in the German version and are translated. At lunchtime, the girls played on the Haribo ‘Gummi Bär’ slot machine and tried to guess how many were in a pack of Gummi Bär. The winner was Abbie Oldham of 7RM who guessed the closest with 150. There were 146!!
Spanish
The Spanish Department celebrated European Week of Languages by making cardboard fans in red and yellow (the colours of the Spanish flag). Fans have long been a symbol of Spanish culture, as a way to cool down in the heat of the summer and as a prop used in flamenco, the traditional dance of the southern region of Andalucía. In addition, the school canteen was kind enough to lay on some delicious paella as part of that day’s lunch.
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week was held on the 4th-8th November. At Presdales we celebrated the week with visiting Engineers and the House Competition ‘The Egg Challenge’.
Sally and Chai talked about projects that VolkerFitzpatrick have worked on including the upgrade of Tottenham Hale Railway station.
Wednesday was ‘Egg Challenge’ day. Teams from Years 7 to 9 launched eggs from the top of the mansion staircase. They had been given the task to design a vehicle to transport an egg safely from the top of the staircase to the ground (photos above). 
On Thursday lunchtime, ex-Presdales student, Ruth Wilson, came and talked about her experiences as a Civil Engineer. During her career, she has had plenty of opportunities to travel, managing projects such as the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and Lu Sail Motor racetrack in Qatar.
On Friday Sue and Su Corrin (Ex-Presdales student) visited Year 8 Assembly. Su works for the FA and leads Health and Safety. Her role is very diverse; she is responsible for the safety of everyone who enters Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park, also the safety of all 28 National Football teams.
