INTERNATIONAL flavours were evident at Sir James Smith's Community School recently — especially during a Goan-style after school cookery session.

The session was taken not only by head of food technology, Phillippa Keen, but also by two teachers from Goa in India who were in the school all week as part of a link school visit.

Headteacher at Spring Valley High School, Mrs Selena De Souza, was visiting with her deputy, Eliza, following a visit to their school earlier this year by geography teacher at Sir James Smith's, Ed McGuffie and languages teacher, Rosa Cembrowicz.

On the Monday Selena and Eliza addressed the teaching staff at Camelford, outlining how their school is set up and displaying a Powerpoint of various Goan local festivals, stemming from a range of faiths.

They also observed lessons, teaching a session in natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes in India; outlined to pupils how to speak basic phrases in their language of Konkani; visited the Eden project with Year 9 students; had a cream tea in Boscastle and saw a fireworks display.

During the tasty after-school cookery session Eliza and Selina, together with Phillippa, prepared two Indian dishes — pakoras and fish curry — which were then enjoyed by a number of students, staff and head teacher, Jon Lawrence.

It is hoped that fundraising will lead to the purchase of webcams which will enable both schools to keep in close contact in the future.