June
We have been running our registration processes for sometime
now. Parents and guardians come for vacant places throughout the
school, mostly in Nursery 1 and Skills 1 (the entrance years).
The sign is displayed on the gate and word of mouth communicates
this message.

We've been struggling with water supply again. As a precaution
we have put back the drinking water buckets in key areas of the
school. These are much in demand in the hot and humid
conditions.

Playtimes aren't usually affected by weather, however, and
feverish activities are common!




We captured a nice picture of Fatou Nyassi, working quietly in
the sewing room to measure out white basin for one of the
practicals underway.

Early
rains bring some disruption to school as flooded areas drain
away, but these rains bring much needed moisture to crops and
gardens within The Gambia.
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Our students are doing practical work, whenever we have water.
Skills 1 are posing with Mr Darboe looking on, as they gather
their material prior to adding the dye to the cloth.

Then later Skills 1 are seen posing against the drying materials
on the lines in school.

This month we have end of term exams and assessments for
graduating students. LB6 and Skills 3 can be seen in the hall
taking part in these important exams.

Skills 3 are doing practical exams too and samples of their
hand-made bead work can be seen in the picture here.
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We've also had mock NAT exams for our LB 5 year, who went on to
take the real exams towards the end of June. The mocks give
children their first chance at doing this sort of test and makes
sure that they have the best chance of a good score in this
National examination.

Four of our staff helped in SOS to supervise the NAT tests
within this nearby school. Mr Cham, Omar Gaye, Fatoumatta
Sighateh and Sirrah Sambou all helped at SOS during the NAT
exams as external supervisors, earning a few extra Dalasi for
themselves

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May
We have been finishing off a long running project that
had stalled at Sunrise, the male and female staff
toilets.
Now new toilets are in place with just a few bits of
finishing still to do.


We've also been improving the Bantaba cookery
facilities; providing a fridge/freezer, a cooker and a
new food mixer/blender.

Skills 1 making potato salad in the Bantaba
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We've been a able to run our
regular First Aid course for final year students who
have just returned from Work Placements.
Momadou Lainey (pictured) from
First Aid 4 Gambia acted as lecturer again to provide
this course. He also brought replacement resources for
our first aid supplies. Thanks to First Aid for Gambia
(see Facebook).

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We're delighted that Fatou Nyassi has passed her Level 2 exams
by the NAQAA organisation. This formalises her position as Full
Teacher with NAQAA and allows her to achieve full accreditation.
Fatou is clearly delighted too! This has taken a long time to
achieve because there are only a few people qualified to make
this assessment for NAQAA.

Life goes on in school as normal. Football is played most days
by boys (see penalty shoot-out) and many other games within the
playground by the girls.


We've been aware for some time that we might lose the end wall
of the school compound, perhaps affecting our Nursery 1
extension block too. This is to accommodate a new tarmac road
that will join the highway near Amsterdam Junction to the large
dual-carriageway in the centre of Bakoteh.

We are horrified at this prospect and hope that this will not
take place or be modified. However KMC officials have now come
to estimate possible compensation for this work.

Finally, COVID jabs (Pfizer) are being given to students and
eligible pupils within Sunrise. A team visited to help with this
important work and nervous youngsters lined up to be treated and
recorded as immunised against COVID-19.

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