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In 1984, on the picturesque bank of the Dnipro, on Shevchenko Street, leading to Taras Hill and the Museum of the Great Kobzar, a new building appeared - The Kaniv Secondary School named after the great Georgian poet, A Tsereteli. In 1997 this educational establishment got a status of the School Specializing in Learning Foreign Languages (English, German and French). 25 years have passed since that time and 2009 was a jubilee year for our alma mater. Our pupils and teachers are our pride. Almost 1500 school-leavers left our school for this period of time, 83 of them got gold medals, 38 silver ones, 37 former pupils became teachers, giving knowledge to students, bringing them up, taking care of them. The pupils of our school take part in Olympiads in different subjects, contests and sport competitions, they attend numerous clubs - dancing, singing, sporting, drama ones.
9 teachers of foreign languages work in our school. They help pupils understand themselves, teach them moral values, about our country and the world around us. At the lessons of the English and American literature our pupils get acquainted with the world of W. Shakespeare and Defoe, Ch. Dickens and G. Byron, J. London and Hemingway, R. Burns and W. Scott. Teaching languages, my colleagues and I use communicative fluency activities/questioning, discussion games, role plays, problem-solving activities. At the town English Olympiads the pupils of our school are mainly the winners, and it brings our teachers pleasure and pride.
Extra-curricular activities are an inseparable part of our work. Strengthening ties with the sister cities, and with Southborough in particular, encourages pupils to learn foreign languages, increases their outlook and urges them to work. Senior students worked at the projects – “Many People, One Heart”, “English in My Life”, “Our Friends All Over the World”. They also willingly put into practice the ecological project embarked by SAKA, planting trees and flowers, watering young seedlings, weeding flowerbeds round our school and in the neighbouring area.
Annually the English teachers arrange the English language week in our school. It includes contests for the best composition or poem, the best wall newspaper, reciting poems, preparation of concerts devoted to Christmas and New Year, St. Valentine's Day, Easter, and Halloween.
A very memorable period was the one devoted to the 25th birthday of our school. Our senior students prepared the film about our school, they acted in the play by Bernard Shaw “Pygmalion”, in the scene from Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet”, recited the sonnets of the great playwright, sang songs of the famous Group The Beetles and modern English songs about love and friendship. The choir solemnly sang “The Anthem of the European Youth”. The atmosphere of the party was very exciting, and the pupils were so proud of their performance.
Really, teachers' job is difficult, but how honourable is to be an adviser, a supporter, a creator, a leader and a friend! How nice it is to discover the world of Knowledge and teach children to be kind and merciful, loving and helpful! This is a Teachers' task. And we, teachers, give our pupils our Heart full of Faith and Love.
Alina Kharchenko, Kaniv
Jancis Margaret Wilson, 18.7.38 - 27.2.10
Most of you know by now of the sad death of Jancis aged 71. This followed an operation which she was confident would restore her to full health and enable her to resume the active life she had enjoyed during the time since her retirement from full-time employment. Sadly that was not to be.
Jancis was the first Hon.Secretary of our Association and a founder member.
She visited Kaniv in September 2004 and had several friends there with whom
she kept in regular contact. She was a loyal and generous member of S.A.K.A.
and a good friend, sorely missed not only by us but by those connected with St.John’s Methodist Church, her Morris Dancing friends and of course her family.
So, much as expected, Ukraine’s new President is Viktor Yanukovych who narrowly beat one of the heroes of the Orange Revolution, Yulia Tymoshenko, in the final round of the election. So now we must wait to see how things develop there before we can answer the question posed by Professor Alan Mayhew at our A.G.M.
Will it be a brighter future for Ukraine? Certainly the President has many problems to address. The World economic crisis has hit Ukraine particularly hard and the population is finding just everyday life very difficult. They cope because sadly they, over the years, have become accustomed to hardship.
The most important decision Yanukovych seems to have taken is to agree to a 25 year extension of a lease which will allow the Russian Black Sea fleet at Sevastopol to stay there until 2042. In return the Russians have reduced by 30% the cost of Ukraine’s gas bill. Whether that is a one-off reduction or an annual discount for a similar 25 years I have no knowledge, but it will certainly help the immediate situation whilst making Russia’s hold over Ukraine very much stronger. It certainly stirred opposition M.P’s to anger in Parliament and Yulia Tymoshenko described the decision as a ‘black day in the history of Ukraine’. The bill agreeing to the extension of the lease was approved by ten votes but it may have united a divided opposition which ultimately may be a good thing.
The Memorial to the victims of the 1932-33 Famine in Ukraine. It is somehow such a meaningful memorial. The black and light blue reflection is clever and I was pleased to capture that and the wording on the side of the stone itself, erected just two years after Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet State.
A further move towards Russia was the President’s denial that an act of genocide was perpetrated against Ukraine in 1932-33 by the Soviets under the rule of Joseph Stalin. Former President Viktor Yushchenko campaigned strongly for world- wide recognition of this induced famine to be recognized as genocide. Many countries support that view, but the U.K. government does not. One wonders what will happen now to the memorial outside the St.Michael’s Cathedral in Kiev, which members of our Association have seen.
It is hoped that we can organise a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon next year to see the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Natalia Vorozhbit’s play “The Grain Store”, which is based on the famine. This play was first brought to my attention by Jancis Wilson a few weeks before her death.
On my short visit to Kaniv in March I was told that the President had visited the town, appointed a new Director of the Taras Shevchenko Memorial Museum and decreed that work should recommence on the extension of the building in the near future. As work had been stopped for a six year period due to financial restraints this is good news for Kaniv although, obviously not good news for the former Director who appears to have lost his job through no fault of his own.
So the jury remains out on the question of a brighter future for Ukraine. Certainly the new President appears to have given away his major bargaining power to his powerful neighbour - perhaps a five year extension of lease might have been acceptable but uniting the opposition Parties in Parliament may become a telling factor in the years to come.
Mike Handcock Chairman
Twenty members attended the A.G.M.including two new members. Iris Veness and
Jean Jenkins, who joined prior to the start of the Meeting.
The Chairman reported that four events, plus the Grand Draw had been held during the year. TheAnnual Dinner in March was much enjoyed and well attended. Our four Ukranian guests arrived on the 12th June and so were able to take part in the Open Gardens event held on the following day. We were particularly grateful to John Cooper and Tom Rusbridge, who are not members, but opened their delightful gardens for us and, of course, to Val and Bert Alldis and Jackie and Robert Prance, who are members and who made their lovely gardens available for visitors.
A new venture was the Quiz held in July and Mike Bailey was particularly involved in getting that successful event underway. Tickets for the Grand Draw were sold throughout the Summer and a full list of winners appeared in Newsletter No.15. This was our main fund-raiser and the Draw itself was made at the Cabaret Evening, held in October. As usual, that event was great fun and Colette Marsh had assembled a splendid cast, mostly family members, who, together with a group of youngsters from the Cannon School of Irish Dance, provided great entertainment during the evening. Once again the Fish and Chip Supper was much appreciated.
The Mayor of Southborough, Councillor Colin Bothwell, presided over the election of the
Committee for the next 12 months and with the exception of Jackie Prance and Ann Nolan, who were not continuing, all the other Committee Members were re-elected. Paddy Moran also joined the committee and Lynda Emberson was later co-opted as Hon. Secretary in place of Jackie, to whom tribute was paid for her sterling efforts in this crucial role. Lynda has taken over on a temporary basis until such time as someone else can be found to take over permanently. Thanks were also expressed to Ann for her efforts and to David Coward who has moved from the area and can no longer be our Financial Scrutineer. We are therefore looking for someone willing to take on this task.
Projects: The £900 we were able to send to Kaniv is being used to help with aid and welfare for a few elderly Residents and for the environmental garden being established at
School Number Six. Both are very worthwhile projects chosen in conjunction with K.A.S.A, our Friendship Organisation in Kaniv. So we supply the funding and they deliver the projects in the community.
The Chairman and Hon. Treasurer's Reports were both accepted.
Our guest speaker Professor Alan Mayhew gave a most interesting talk entitled: After the Presidential Election a brighter future for Ukraine?
The first round of the Election had taken place and the two candidates to contest the second round to determine who would be President of Ukraine would-be Viktor YANUKOVYCH, who received 35% of the votes in the first round, and Yulia TYMOSHENKO, who had 25%. So this decider would be held on Sunday 7th February. A higher percentage of people voted in the West and Central Ukraine, where Tymoshenko’s support is but her opponent’s support, mainly in the Eastern part and in the South around the Black Sea, appeared to be well ahead. People's displeasure with the constant bickering between the President Viktor YUSHCHENKO and his Prime Minister TYMOSHENKO seem likely to reverse the result of the Orange Revolution of 5 years ago. Ukraine has very serious financial problems, continues to suffer severely from corruption and whoever wins, massive problems remain, especially with their powerful northern neighbour Russia with whom both candidates want better relations. A question and answer session followed and Professor Mayhew was warmly thanked for his contribution to the Meeting.
After the break a couple of minor amendments were made to the Constitution and it was agreed to raise the membership subscription to £4.00 p.a. or £7.00 p.a. for a family membership.
It was also agreed to continue to support the 2 projects referred to above from 2009 and to give financial help to the group coming to England in July for the Youth Project in respect of the high cost of Visas.
A membership target of 55 was set for the year ahead.
The latest SAKA newsletter is now available to download or read in your browser as .pdf file.
You can read or download it here
It features articles on October's Grand Charity Cabaret, the Euroforum 2009 in Kaniv and much more.
SOUTHBOROUGH AND KANIV ASSOCIATION
President: Colin Bothwell, Southborough Town Mayor
NEWSLETTER NO. 14
September 2009
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday, 3rd October 2009
Starting at 7.30pm
Grand Charity Cabaret.
At Christchurch Hall, Southborough
At the modest price of £6.50
Which includes fish and chip supper and entertainment
(B.Y.O. drinks)
The Grand Draw will be drawn at this event.
Please contact Colette Marsh for more information and tickets
This Year’s Project
School Number 6 in Kaniv is situated alongside an important road running from the town centre towards the Taras Shevchenko Museum and Memorial (see Tanya’s article in Newsletter 13) which during the year attracts thousands of visitors to the town as well as many residents of the locality. The school is celebrating a special anniversary this year and has embarked upon an ambitious
environmental project to create an attractive garden including an outdoor classroom, at the front of the school. One aim is to encourage those passing along the road and the parents of the pupils to be inspired by the idea of creating something of beauty in their home environment, having seen what the school has achieved.
Those attending the A.G.M. agreed that this project was one we should support and so our fundraising this year is largely aimed at helping fund this though we are mindful also of continuing to help the elderly people needing welfare assistance to see them through the winter months. Members of the Kaniv and Southborough Association (K.A.S.A.) are working to help deliver these two projects.
Cabaret Evening
Our 40 minutes of entertainment will include dancing by a group from the Cannon School of Irish Dance and a variety of other acts for your pleasure and amusement. Please complete the return slip with your supper choice and return it to Colette by 30th September. With Christmas in mind we will have items for sale and the Grand Draw will be made to conclude the evening.
Grand Draw
The Promoter is very grateful to those who have already sent in money and counterfoils. If you haven’t done so yet please please remember that all ticket counterfoils need to be returned by September 30th. It will be possible to buy tickets at the Cabaret Evening.
The Quiznite
This was a new venture for us and made for an enjoyable evening. Special thanks to Mike Bailey for the idea and for all he did to ensure the evening was a success. We have some lessons to learn from this occasion and we will put those lessons into effect next time.
Visits to Kaniv
Sadly there were no responses to the article in the last Newsletter on this subject. However now is the time to be thinking about 2010 because airfares are cheaper the earlier bookings are made. May and September are the favoured months for visiting Kaniv so if you might be interested in going then phone Mike Handcock on 01892 528495 to discuss possible dates and other details.
To develop the friendship visits between us are of vital importance. It has been a great pleasure in the last few years to welcome visitors from Kaniv and it is to be hoped that several of our members will experience for themselves the pleasure of a visit to Kaniv during 2010 – a warm welcome awaits you there.
Membership Matters
At the end of 2008 S.A.K.A. has 51 paid up members. At present we have 43 members with we hope another 5 who have not yet renewed their £3.00 annual subscription but may do so as a result of this gentle reminder.
We welcome as new members Paddy Moran, Greg Clark and Audrey and Bob Constable and feel sure they will gain pleasure and satisfaction from belonging to an organisation that seeks to develop friendship between the people of Southborough and its surrounding area and Kaniv in Ukraine.
Announcements
Congratulations to Anya Shafor who spent a fortnight as a visitor from Kaniv last year. She will marry Slava on Saturday 12th September. We wish Anya and Slava much happiness in the future and a lovely day for their wedding.
Our best wishes go to Jancis Wilson and Dorothy Clements and we hope they will continue to recover well.
Jackie Prance will be retiring as Secretary as from January 2010 and we are now in need of a replacement, are there any typists with just a little time to spare who could help?
Comments, suggestions and contributions to these Newsletters gratefully received.
.
Autumn Soiree
Name……………………………………………………………Number of tickets ………………….
Supper Choices
Cod and Chips………………………
Sausage and Chips…………………..
Veggie Burger and Chips……………
Please reply to Colette Marsh
SOUTHBOROUGH AND KANIV ASSOCIATION
President: Colin Bothwell, Southborough Town Mayor
NEWSLETTER NO. 14
September 2009
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday, 3rd October 2009
Starting at 7.30pm
Grand Charity Cabaret.
At Christchurch Hall, Southborough
At the modest price of £6.50
Which includes fish and chip supper and entertainment
(B.Y.O. drinks)
The Grand Draw will be drawn at this event.
Please contact Colette Marsh for more information and tickets
This Year’s Project
School Number 6 in Kaniv is situated alongside an important road running from the town centre towards the Taras Shevchenko Museum and Memorial (see Tanya’s article in Newsletter 13) which during the year attracts thousands of visitors to the town as well as many residents of the locality. The school is celebrating a special anniversary this year and has embarked upon an ambitious
environmental project to create an attractive garden including an outdoor classroom, at the front of the school. One aim is to encourage those passing along the road and the parents of the pupils to be inspired by the idea of creating something of beauty in their home environment, having seen what the school has achieved.
Those attending the A.G.M. agreed that this project was one we should support and so our fundraising this year is largely aimed at helping fund this though we are mindful also of continuing to help the elderly people needing welfare assistance to see them through the winter months. Members of the Kaniv and Southborough Association (K.A.S.A.) are working to help deliver these two projects.
Cabaret Evening
Our 40 minutes of entertainment will include dancing by a group from the Cannon School of Irish Dance and a variety of other acts for your pleasure and amusement. Please complete the return slip with your supper choice and return it to Colette by 30th September. With Christmas in mind we will have items for sale and the Grand Draw will be made to conclude the evening.
Grand Draw
The Promoter is very grateful to those who have already sent in money and counterfoils. If you haven’t done so yet please please remember that all ticket counterfoils need to be returned by September 30th. It will be possible to buy tickets at the Cabaret Evening.
The Quiznite
This was a new venture for us and made for an enjoyable evening. Special thanks to Mike Bailey for the idea and for all he did to ensure the evening was a success. We have some lessons to learn from this occasion and we will put those lessons into effect next time.
Visits to Kaniv
Sadly there were no responses to the article in the last Newsletter on this subject. However now is the time to be thinking about 2010 because airfares are cheaper the earlier bookings are made. May and September are the favoured months for visiting Kaniv so if you might be interested in going then phone Mike Handcock on 01892 528495 to discuss possible dates and other details.
To develop the friendship visits between us are of vital importance. It has been a great pleasure in the last few years to welcome visitors from Kaniv and it is to be hoped that several of our members will experience for themselves the pleasure of a visit to Kaniv during 2010 – a warm welcome awaits you there.
Membership Matters
At the end of 2008 S.A.K.A. has 51 paid up members. At present we have 43 members with we hope another 5 who have not yet renewed their £3.00 annual subscription but may do so as a result of this gentle reminder.
We welcome as new members Paddy Moran, Greg Clark and Audrey and Bob Constable and feel sure they will gain pleasure and satisfaction from belonging to an organisation that seeks to develop friendship between the people of Southborough and its surrounding area and Kaniv in Ukraine.
Announcements
Congratulations to Anya Shafor who spent a fortnight as a visitor from Kaniv last year. She will marry Slava on Saturday 12th September. We wish Anya and Slava much happiness in the future and a lovely day for their wedding.
Our best wishes go to Jancis Wilson and Dorothy Clements and we hope they will continue to recover well.
Jackie Prance will be retiring as Secretary as from January 2010 and we are now in need of a replacement, are there any typists with just a little time to spare who could help?
Comments, suggestions and contributions to these Newsletters gratefully received.
.
Autumn Soiree
Name……………………………………………………………Number of tickets ………………….
Supper Choices
Cod and Chips………………………
Sausage and Chips…………………..
Veggie Burger and Chips……………
Please reply to Colette Marsh
