IH Belfast Summer School 2009

Saturday...Our Last Full Day at Rockport!

2009-07-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

Today we went for a trip on the bus to the North coast of Ireland, where we visited Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Giant's Causeway.

Friday

2009-07-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

Friday was our last trip into Belfast City centre. We went to see the Botanic Gardens and Queen's University before having a little time to shop in the afternoon.

Wednesday

2009-07-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was warm and sunny, so we went for a walk along the coast to Seapark. Some of us went for a swim in Belfast Lough!

Tuesday

2009-07-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday afternoon we went to the cinema in Belfast to see Ice Age 3.

In the evening we played dodgeball and some other games in the sports hall.

Monday

2009-07-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

On Monday we went ice skating at Dundonald Ice Bowl. Here are some pictures of us in action.

After skating we had an x-box competition in the evening.

My Last Day

2009-07-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

Here in Northern Ireland the weather is cold. Here it rains a lot and because of this it is so green. Today is the 17th of July and it is my last day here, in Rockport.
I want you to know that I will never forget you. Here the teachers teach me, the friends lean on me...I don't want to go back to Madrid but I miss my parents and all family.
Now I would like to thank Pauline for all her help and hard work. And I would like to thank Peter for teaching me a lot of things.
Finally, I would like to thank all of youi for you friendship. Good luck and goodbye.

By Pilar

2nd Photography Competition Winner

2009-07-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

And the winner is....

This picture from Maria, congratulations to her on being our winner this week.

Friday's Photography Competition Entries

2009-07-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

Photographs were entered by Carmen, Alvaro, Sergio, Maria and Mar. Thanks to all of them for their work!

Saturday Trip

2009-07-20T12:28:00.001-07:00

On Saturday we went to Armagh and Navan Fort on the bus....

Friday

2009-07-20T12:15:00.001-07:00

Friday was our final day of presentations, they were all very well done and very entertaining. In the evening we had our last disco of the year.

Some thoughts from our local students

2009-07-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

¡Hola! Me llamo Maeve. Tengo doce años. Vivo en Belfast. He estudiado un año de español. Vine al compamento para aprender español durante dos semanas. En mi clase, he estado aprendiendo los dias de la semana, los meses, adjetivos, descripciones, las horas, como presentarmé y como despedinme etc.

I have met many Spanish people while I was here and they were all very nice people. There was a Spanish student staying at my house, her name is Anna. Anna is very nice and we have been good friends. At Rockport in the afternoons we went out for activities. My favourite was probably the caving because it was fun. There were many other trips such as the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, the Belfast Activity Centre, city centre and lots more.

Los viernes hacemos una actuación para todos los estudiantes. El viernes pasado, bailamas una canción y hoy vamos a cantar.

On Friday there was a disco too, it was very fun and I met even more Spanish students.

By Maeve

Me llamo Ellie. Tengo trece años. Vivo en Belfast. Me gusta el curso porque es divertido e interesante. While on this course I made new friends English and Spanish. I enjoyed caving at Belfast Activity Centre and swimming at Lisburn Leisureplex. ¡Quiero volver definitivamente! I had a great time in town showing people round the shops and hunting for sales!! Aprendí mucho sobre la lengua española y la cultura, como por ejemplo la semana santa. Me gusto cantar en español para el proyecto, la cancion 'el universo sobre mí'.

By Ellie

Hola me llamo Erin y mi apellido es Doherty. Tengo trece años. Mi cumpleaños es el veinte de agosto.

I have been here for three weeks and I have learnt so much Spanish. In the past three weeks I have learnt about:

mi casa

mi familia

mi colegio,

la ropa,

los programas de tele, y,

la gente famosa.

Every Friday we have a project to perform. This week we're singing 'El universo sobre mi'. And after the project we have a disco. Every day we do activities, this week we went to: sports at school (Mon), swimming (Tues), Belfast Activity Centre (Wed) and Belfast (Thurs).

Last Friday I did a project about myself. My favourite part of the three weeks were when we get to see everyones project and the disco after.

By Erin

The best thing about being at Rockport was that, even though I have only been at Rockport for one week, I have made friends and have met people I knew before. The worst part was that we didn't get enough time for shopping in town, on Thursday. On Monday we played sports in the afternoon and got to know each other better. On Tuesday, we went swimming in the afternoon at Lisburn Leisureplex, which was a lot of fun, especially as there was many people there. On Wednesday we went to the Belfast Activity Centre and I went canoeing on the river Lagan and got soaked to the skin. Some of the guys managed to fall into the river and didn't have a change of clothes! Overall I really enjoyed the week at Rockport.

By Victoria Rogers

He hestado en Rockport para una semana y ¡lo pasé bomba! Tuvimos las clases por la mañana y lluego hicimos diferentes actividades cada diá. Lo mejor diá era miercoles porque hicimos canoeing. Me gusta mucho Aunque el reo no era limpo y vi un pez muerto. Lo peor era la comida en la cantina que conocí muchos gentes de España y hice muchos nuevos amigos.

By Victoria Mitchell

He estado en Rockport para una semana. ¡Fue fantastico! ¡Lo pase bomba! Tuvimos las clases por la mañana y las profesoras fueron exelente. Me ayudaron con mi español. ¡Apprendé mucho!

Después la hora de comer hicimos las actividades como la piscina o el centro de la ciudad. Fue diverti. Las personas de España (en el colegio) son muy simpaticas. Conocí a mucha gente simpáticas.

¡Me gustería volver el año pasado!

By Sophie

¡Hola! Me llamo Alix Bell. Soy de Belfast en Irlanda del Norte. Tengo trece años. Me encanta el curso porque es muy divertido y aprendí mucho sobre la gente española y la lengua en clase. Estuvo genial salir con mis amigos nuevos. Fuelomás positivo. Me gustó cantar una canción en español, que se llama 'El universo sobre mí' para un proyecto. Lo que más me sorprendió fue lo fácil que era comunicate! ¡Me encantaron todas la actividades también, especialmente la natación en Lisburn Leisureplex! ¡Quiero volver definitivamente!

By Alix

Yo he estado en Rockport tres semanas. Martes de esta semana, fuimos a la piscina. Estaba enferma y no nadé aunque parece divertidos.

Conocí muchos personas nuevo en Rockport y me caen bien.

Lo mejor actividad es ir al cento de Belfast. Fuimos al centro de Belfast ayer y la semana pasada. Me gusta mucho porque conocí mis amigos y bimos los monumentos de mi ciudad. Lo peor actividad es la excursión de Giant's Causeway porque era muy aburrido porque ví Giant's Causeway en el año pasado y con me colegio hace dos años.

By Sam

Thursday

2009-07-17T13:40:00.001-07:00

On Thursday we had one last trip into Belfast city centre to allow everyone who is leaving this weekend to buy gifts for their families back home.

Wednesday Night Fashion Show

2009-07-17T13:34:00.000-07:00

Tonight we were split into teams. Each team was given the materials to design and make a costume for our fashion show, here are the results!

Wednesday

2009-07-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday we went to Belfast Activity Centre for one final visit. There were various activities available like canoeing, caving and climbing.

Some words from a few of our students

2009-07-14T11:12:00.001-07:00

I want to talk about summer school. Last week we went to Belfast Activity Center and on Tuesday we played sports at school. The weekend we went to capital city, is Dublin. On Monday we spoke about our project and we learned some vocabulary about technology.

By Mohammed

I love this place. It is very funny. We do a lot of interesting things. We went to Dublin, Belfast, Bangor and other places. In Dublin we paid with euros. Dublin is more expensive than Belfast. The travel to Dublin was very long but we listen music and sleep in the bus. When we arrived we eat a sandwich, one piece of fruit and an orange juice. Later we went to buy something and at three o'clock we went to the bus and came to Belfast. I like the life here, but I don't like the food. The food is horrible but we can go to the supermarket and buy something. This Sunday we are going to come to Barcelona. I prefer Barcelona than Belfast because the weather is better, and the food too. I am going to remember this trip all the life because I do a lot of friends and I learn a lot of English.
Kisses for my parents, my sister and my friends.

By Laura Gumbau

Last Saturday I woke up earlier than usually. I prepared my bag and we went to Dublin to spend the day. After lunch we bought some things and we visited the city. It was beautiful! We came back to Rockport at six in the evening. I was very tired.

On Sunday I woke up at ten o'clock in the morning and I spent the morning playing tennis and chatting on the computer. After lunch we went to a park beside the beach and I went into the water, later I had a cold. I had dinner and I went to bed.

By Isabel

Last weekend we got a chance to have a look at the landscape around Rockport school. We went for a prolonged walk by the seashore which, personally, I enjoyed very much. I loved the combination of green and blue, the nature and the sea, as well as the tiny endless beaches. It was a very nice, relaxing activity, the most relaxing part being, of course, when we finally arrived and sat at a bigger beach, talking and taking pictures. Such a lot of beautiful screensavers. Some crazy people even took a swim in the freezing water, while we simply sunbathed in the occasional and short sunny moments. All in all, a great time.

By Victoria

Today, the 1st day of the 3rd week in Rockport. Our time here is coming to the end, but we are still having fun.

Today we haven't done anything special, we have played football, baseball, volleyball and others. After that we have done an evening activity, we had to brake balloons and then we had to answer questions.

By Alvaro

Last weekend was very interesting.
Friday night we had a disco and I finished really tired. Then, on Saturday we went on a trip to Dublin. There I found some friends from the school in Spain. That night we stood up until 4 o 'clock because Nina left.

On Sunday I woke up at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and I went for a walk on the beach.

By Carlos

Last weekend I had such a good time.

On Saturday morning I got up at half past eight, I had a shower, I had a delicious breakfast and I went to Rockport. That day we went to Dublin. It seemed to be a very good idea until we found out that it would take us more than two hours to get to Dublin.

Once we were at Dublin, we visited some popular places, we had lunch in an enormous park and we went shopping for one hour approx.

But going shopping in Dublin is not a good idea at all as the prizes are even more expensive than in Barcelona. But we can go shopping in Belfast once a week, so it wasn't a problem (in Belfast it is surprisingly more cheaper than in Dublin).

But I stayed at home all the Sunday, because I wanted to eat the famous Irish lunch. It was very tasty, but when I finished I realise that I was going to get bored all the afternoon. But then I found out that staying at home wasn't a bad idea at all. It did not give up raining until dinner time. I thought: how lucky I am!

By Daniel

On Sunday morning I slept until eleven o'clock. Then, I had a shower and I had a traditional Irish breakfast with bacon, toasts and eggs. Afterwards, I spoke with my Barcelona's family and I wore a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, trousers and trainers. At one o'clock I had lunch some sandwiches and two hours later I went out with my Irish friends until seven o'clock. Finally, I had dinner some hamburgers with lettuce and bread and I went to sleep at ten o'clock.

By Adriá Gil

Hi everybody,
I am going to explain what happen last friday. Last friday I changed my family because my family was very busy and I didn't have a person from my age and I was a bit lonely, so it was a bit hard, but I changed and now I am better. Diane and Maribel helped me a lot to change it because I was a bit nervous. I love my family and I think this last week its going to be hilarious. Finally on friday we beat Jonny's class with 31 points, we're very proud at that. We sang a song called Imagine all the students and then Carlos, Fernando and Adria made a show that was great.
Last week in Ireland for some of us. Love Rockport. Amazing!!

By Ares

Monday Night Quiz

2009-07-14T07:23:00.001-07:00

We had a fun quiz involving spelling and general knowledge in the evening.

Monday

2009-07-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we played games at Rockport, including tennis, volleyball and football.

Sunday

2009-07-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we went for a walk along the coastal path to Crawfordsburn. It was sunny and we had a lot of fun.

Saturday Day Trip

2009-07-14T06:34:00.001-07:00

Today we all went to Dublin on the bus. It was a long journey but it was nice to be able to see Dublin for an afternoon.

Lisburn Swimming Pool

2009-07-14T06:32:00.000-07:00

These days have been very funny!! Thursday was the best day. We went to the aquapark. We swam and went down on the slides. We had a really good time, but we only stayed there for and hour and a half…
We went down on all the slides, and at the beginning I was scared, but at the end, I had a very good time.
These days I stay in Rockport school. I'm enjoying a lot! I love staying here!!

By Laura V.

Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede

2009-07-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we did the weekly trip. We went to the North Ireland's North Coast to see some interesting sites.

First we took the bus in Rockport and we travelled for more than one hour. Then we stopped in a lovely village with lots of houses painted by different colours. There some people bought ice-creams and snacks. Some people also took advantage to get some fresh air and to go to the toilet. When we got on the bus, we travelled for a while before getting on the rope bridge.

The rope bridge is a very famous site in the North Coast which, as its name says, is made by rope. It used to be very dangerous because it connects two cliffs and it used to be made only by rope. Currently it is made by some wood too where you can step on to be safer.

Some people were very scared because it's very high. But, in my opinion it was wonderful to be in that high site in a thin rope bridge feeling the wind in your face, looking at the big red jellyfishes and at the birds.

By Montse Barceló

Photography Competition Winner

2009-07-12T15:38:00.001-07:00

The overall winner of our photography competition this week, by Alvaro Querendez. Congratulations to him on this excellent photo.

Photography Competition Entries

2009-07-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

These are the entries into our photography competition this week, they were submitted by Marc Arderiu, Alvaro Querendez and Marc Thos.

Friday

2009-07-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Friday afternoon, it must be presentation time again!

Thursday

2009-07-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

On Thursday afternoon we went to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra, near Rockport.

Wednesday

2009-07-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday we went to Belfast City Centre and saw some sights. After this we had some free time to go shopping.

At Rockport in the evening, we played bench games in the sports hall.

Tuesday

2009-07-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we stayed at Rockport and in the afternoon we played wacky races and sports.

In the evening we had a quiz...

Monday

2009-07-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

On Monday we went to Belfast Activity Centre and had a lot of fun doing archery, canoeing and climbing.

In the evening we played party games at Rockport.

Sunday Trip to Bangor

2009-07-06T08:43:00.000-07:00

On Sunday afternoon we visited Bangor, which is a small town near Belfast for some shopping and fun in the sun.

And in the evening we played sports and saw some of the local wildlife...

Saturday Day Trip

2009-07-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we all went to the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge on the North coast of Ireland. Here are some pictures from there.

Friday Night Disco Fever!

2009-07-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

A short clip from our Friday night disco.

Day 5

2009-07-05T13:46:00.001-07:00

Today we presented our class projects in the afternoon...

Meanwhile some of us were asleep!

In the evening we had a disco

Staying at Rockport

2009-07-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

These holidays I am staying two weeks in Rockport School in Belfast. I sleep and eat at the school. Some other people are staying with a family. I like it very much, the people is very nice. I like to stay in the school because there are other people and we can do an evening activity, which is very funny. But staying in a family is also good, because you have more intimity, you can do different things and if you don't like the food you can ask them for something else. But if the family isn't kind it can be horrible.

Anyway, I like it the way it is in the school.

By Margalida

Staying At Home

2009-07-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Today was fantastic!

In the morning, Benny (conductor of the bus) brings us to Rockport School.

After, at 9:30 a.m. we started the class with Steph. It was very funny !!

At 11:00 a.m. we had fifteen minutes to break (I know, was little time).

After break Jonny was waiting us and he and we learned English (it was very interesting).

When the class of Jonny finished, we had lunch. Sincerely, the food was bad. And the last thing I did with teachers of Rockport was went to swimming pool. I love it! I had a great time!!

And now, I stay in my family and suddenly I will have dinner.

xxoo

By Marta

Day 3

2009-07-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to Belfast with my teachers and my friends. I went to McDonalds and ate a hamburger. It was very tasty. In the evening I played a football match with Adria and I watched a film in Rockport, and the film was a Norbit film.

By Eduardo

Yesterday, I went to Belfast centre and I bought different things. When we stayed in Rockport, I played a football match with my friends. Then, I went to play table tennis. After, I went to see Norbit, a film. It was good/funny. Finally, I went to sleep!

By Albert

Today we got up at 8:00, the weather was cold. We had breakfast at 8:45, when we finished we went to play football on a pitch with another boys. Next we went to the class with Pauline and then with Peter. When we finished, we went to had lunch. In afternoon all the group visited Belfast City to bought in shops, supermarkets... When we returned, we had dinner, it was horrible because we hate fish. Finally we are here writing our blog. This day 30th of June was fine.

By Nil Soler & Roger Canton

Dear blog,

Today we've done lots of things first of all class, and then at the afternoon we went shopping in Belfast city centre. I've buyed a CD, a t-shirt from the city and two things for my brother and my mother. For my brother a rugby ball which is from Ireland and for my mother a teddy. After that I took the mini-bus with Benny (the driver) and I went with my host family which is very nice and kind. Finally I have to say that I'm enjoying Belfast, and Rockport school and people. The think I didn't like was the food. It is a bit strange for me and that's because I don't like it.

By Ares Oliver

Day 2

2009-07-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

Today, Monday, the 1st day. We have made some things, the best one might be the activity of the afternoon, some people have been climbing and others have been caving, but I think the climbing was better because it was longer. We have had also classes at morning, we practised the speaking, doing activities to know thing about each-other with Steph and Jonny. The evening activity was very funny and crazy, we all laugh a lot. I think that today all of us has had fun.

By Alvaro Querendez.

Day 2

2009-07-02T05:24:00.000-07:00

Today it was sunny. We got up at 7.50. After breakfast we went to the class. When the afternoon came, we went climbing. When we arrived at the school, we played football and had dinner. The dinner was very good because it was Maria's birthday. After that we went to a fun party. Some people played table-tennis with us, and at half past ten we watched a film. It was one of the funniest day of our life!

By Gonzalo Querendez & Pablo Romero

Day 1

2009-07-02T05:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of sumer school and that made presentations of the people. Later, in groups we had to choose a famous person and talk about them with a partner. Then with the other teacher we played a game with the teacher and in this game we had to make questions and answers. At the end of the lesson there was a fire-drill.

By Maria & Felipe