A GROUP of Greek schoolchildren will be visiting St Helens from May 18 to 24 as part of an innovative and exciting environmental project linking their country with England, Germany and Italy.

'Towards a Better Europe' is the title chosen by the 22 15-year-old Greek pupils from a high school in Athens. The project is focused on environmental education and aims to raise awareness through environmental and expressive art.

Their visit to St Helens follows meetings in Athens with teachers and officers from St Helens Council's Family and Community Education team earlier this year to discuss with the pupils and staff the direction and development of the project.

Greece is the main co-ordinator in the project which, funding permitting, will run for two more years and include exchange visits to Italy and Germany as well.

The Greeks will be led by Anna Martinou, main project co-ordinator, accompanied by the Mayor of Aghia Varvara (Athens) Mr Lambros Mihos, the director of the Aghia Varvara School, the head of mathematics, and the chairperson of the PTA.

The Greek children will be cared for by parents and children from the two participating schools in St Helens, St Aelred's RC High and De La Salle High. Both these schools were selected to join the project because of their commitment to environmental education through the school curriculum.

St Helens School officials have arranged a full programme for the Greek and English students including a civic reception in the town hall, a variety of visits and a final celebration night at St Aelred's RC High School where pupils will perform for the first time a special piece of environmental theatre.

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