Netherton and Litherland NOW! - Anna

Anna takes it in her stride

by Anna Roth

Changing schools at the age of 16 is a difficult enough experience but when you move to a school in a different country, with a different language, then adapting to the situation must be even harder. But that is exactly what Hungarian girl Anna Roth (pictured) has had to do in the last few months. Here is her story...

Anna Roth "My name is Anna. I came from Budapest in Hungary with my family six months ago. Since then I’ve come to study in Year 10 of Bootle High School.

"The first few months were really confusing because of the vast amount of new things I had to get used to. The first thing that I was really surprised at was the school uniform because I’ve never had to wear it before. In Hungary we don’t have school uniforms, we only wear white shirt and dark skirt or trousers in school celebrations.

"Our school starts at 7.45am so I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that here the school starts at 9am. At the beginning of the year in Hungary we have to buy all the books and exercise books we use during the year so we own them and take them with us to school.

"The lessons are almost the same but we have tests everyday and they are really hard. After each lesson we have a 15 minute break and we can stay in the class and chat, or walk in the corridor, or if we are hungry or thirsty, we can go to the school snack bar and buy some food or drink.

"We have a school radio station so in the break times we can listen to the new hits while we are chatting or reading (or doing homework!) We have no dinner time but we finish school earlier at about 1.30pm so we can eat at home.

"The grades are different too. Our highest grade is five the lowest is one. There are grades like 4-5 or 2-3, which means they are between two grades like D+ or C-. Before half term we get a school record about our work and we get grades at each subject.

"After the lessons some people like to stay in school because there are so many things we can do which are fun. The fitness room and the free basketball and football courts are very popular and they are not only for boys, the girls join in too. I like the choir. I know it doesn’t sound very exciting but it is fun because we sing at different places and usually have great fun together.

"Every Friday we have a disco in the school with a real DJ. It starts at 7pm and finishes at midnight but it is only for over 16 year-olds. As you can see, things are a bit different but I’m getting used to it here. Also it’s always nice to experience and get to know something new."


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