16/03/2025 – 22/06/2025
Νανά Σκιαδά, Κώστας Δούκας και Μίμης Φωτόπουλος

The educational theme park Μια φορά κι έναν καιρό (“Once Upon a Time”) in Avlon, Attica, offered our schoolchildren a truly unforgettable experience today. Set in lush green surroundings, they caught a glimpse of life in a traditional village from a bygone era, played with animals, took part in sports and learnt how to live in harmony with nature. It was a day full of joy, fun and discovery!

Hamlet–A young prince
Ghost–Hamlet’s father
King Claudius–Hamlet’s uncle
Queen Gertrude–Hamlet’s mother
Ophelia–A kind girl
Polonius–Ophelia’s father
Horatio–Hamlet’s best friend
Laertes–Ophelia’s brother
HORATIO: Hamlet, come with me.
HAMLET: Why, Horatio? What’s wrong?
HORATIO: A ghost has appeared. He looks like your father!
HAMLET: A ghost? I must see him.
(The ghost appears.)
GHOST: Hamlet, my son.
HAMLET: Father! Is it really you?
GHOST: Yes. I was killed by your uncle.
HAMLET: Uncle Claudius?
GHOST: He poured poison in my ear while I was sleeping.
HAMLET: That’s terrible!
GHOST: Don’t forget. Be brave.
HAMLET: I will remember, Father.
![]()
QUEEN GERTRUDE: Why do you look so sad, Hamlet?
HAMLET: My father died. And now you are married to my uncle!
KING CLAUDIUS: Cheer up, Hamlet. We are family now.
HAMLET (aside): You killed my father… I will find the truth.
KING CLAUDIUS: Hamlet knows too much. I must stop him.
POLONIUS: Ophelia, stay away from Hamlet. He’s strange.
OPHELIA: But I love him, Father.
POLONIUS: He doesn’t act like he loves you.
(Later)
OPHELIA: My lord Hamlet, are you well?
HAMLET: I once loved you… but not anymore.
OPHELIA: Why are you so cruel?
HAMLET: I will show a play about a king who is poisoned.
HORATIO: Good idea. Let’s watch the king’s face.
(Actors perform. Claudius looks afraid and leaves.)
HAMLET: Aha! He looks guilty. He did it!
HAMLET (to his mother): You shouldn’t have married him.
(He hears someone behind the curtain and stabs.)
HAMLET: Who’s there?
(He pulls the curtain—it is Polonius.)
HAMLET: Oh no! I killed the wrong man.
OPHELIA: Hamlet used to be kind. Now he is cold and angry. My heart is broken.
QUEEN GERTRUDE: Ophelia is not well.
HORATIO: She is very sad. She sings strange songs.
(Later)
QUEEN GERTRUDE: She has drowned in the river… Poor girl.
![]()
![]()
KING CLAUDIUS: Laertes, fight Hamlet. I will help you win.
LAERTES: I want revenge for my father and sister.
HAMLET: I accept the fight.
(They fight. Everyone is hurt. The queen drinks poison by mistake.)
QUEEN GERTRUDE: Oh! The drink was poisoned!
HAMLET: The king did this!
(Hamlet stabs the king.)
HAMLET: The king is dead. I am dying too… Horatio, tell my story.
HORATIO: Hamlet was a brave prince. We’ll never forget him!
We were thrilled to know that our letters travelled all the way to another country and brought joy to an Irish classroom in Newbridge. This exchange means a lot to us—it helps build friendships and teaches us about each other’s traditions and way of life. We’re looking forward to keeping in touch and learning more about Ireland, with its rich history, vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes!
The Irish words on the indoor poster mean: “Be kind, work hard and have fun!”
After Easter, to our surprise,
a white envelope caught our eyes!
It came from friends who live afar,
sent with love from where they are.
Though Easter Day had come and gone,
our smiles stayed wide, our joy went on!
The colourful cards and kind wishes, too,
made our day bright and shiny and new!
Vamvakophyto is located in Northern Greece, within the Region of Central Macedonia. It’s about 590 km (367 mi) from Athens and 88 km (55 mi) from Thessaloniki.
After Brexit, UK schools could no longer join the European eTwinning platform. However, this year we’ve been lucky enough to find a British school and start a lovely exchange.
Aspley Guise Village School is a small rural, community school very close to Luton and London.
After quite a long wait, the parcel with the children’s beautiful cards from England finally arrived—and we couldn’t have been happier!
A big thank you to the children and their teacher, Ms Sammy Kirby, for all the love and imagination they put into their wonderful creations!
![]()
https://youtube.com/shorts/bZvD2ue33Ss?si=5Dz6p8znew4LOBVF