'I HAD never met anybody from Germany before', one pupil said excitedly . . .

After last term's visit to Germany for six lucky children from Okehampton Primary School, other pupils got in on the fun recently when a teacher from their German partner school visited for the day.

Steffi Franke, a grade 1 teacher from Franziskus Grunschule in Dortmond, visited Okehampton on Monday as part of the 'WinDoors to Europe' project, which encourages children to learn more about each others cultures, activities, stories and songs.

Following a bracing walk on Dartmoor on Sunday, Steffi spent Monday meeting children and staff, taking part in lessons, singing with the pupils in assembly and enjoying an English cream tea with staff, parents and children.

Two pupils, Maddison MacDonald and her brother Zander, bumped into Steffi shopping on Sunday and could not believe their luck when they realised they were the first children to meet her.

Maddison said: 'I was really pleased I met Steffi because I had never met anyone from Germany before. Steffi was really pretty and very friendly. She came into our class and read part of a story to us in German, and finished it in English. We all really enjoyed listening to her.'

Steffi said: 'I have had a wonderful day here at Okehampton Primary. I have been so impressed with the children and the school. The classrooms are much quieter than our classes in Germany and the school is very well equipped. I have been writing notes all day with new ideas that I can take back to my colleagues at home.'

The school is now looking forward to the final project meeting in April, when staff and children from Italy and Germany will visit Okehampton.