Swimming for kids in Famagusta


Hello everybody,

Whether your little water bugs are just learning to swim or are looking to become even stronger swimmers,  swimming lessons will help get ‘em ready to float, dunk and dive just about anywhere.

Swimming exercise involves cardiovascular activity, which enhances both heart and lung condition. Swimming also increases strength, endurance, flexibility and balance, thanks to the activity and movements involved in swim strokes.

Children who engage in regular swimming activity might avoid health issues associated with childhood obesity, including diabetes.
Spending time in the water can also be positive for children’s mental health. Swimming may improve mood and decrease anxiety. Families that spend time swimming together could experience enhanced family bonding. Kids could enjoy swimming more than other types of exercise, so, if you provide your children with opportunities to swim, they may be more likely to exercise.

Mother/Father and baby lessons  are the best way to start having fun with your baby.
Work on the premise that babies have a 'diving reflex' and are thus able to swim underwater instinctively.The idea is to give your baby confidence in the water from a very early age, paving the way for more structured swimming lessons as they grow up.These very early swimming courses can take babies as young as six weeks old and are led by specialist teachers.



Charina’s Splash Swimming Club

Swimming lessons for babies 2 months – adults
Aquacise kids: water exercise for confident swimmers age 7 -14 years
Small classes guaranteed for a safe & fun environment







Lesson hours: 

Baby & Toddler swimming sessions
Saturday 8:20-9:50 (1-3 years), 10:30-11:00 (1-3 years) , 11:30-12:00 (2 months- 12 months)

Learn to swim program
Children 2-3 years: Thursday 17:30-18:00
Children 3-6 years: Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday 17:00-18:00
Children 7 -14 years: Monday 18:00-19:00

Children Private Sessions
Tuesday 18:00-19:00, Thursday 18:00-19:00, Friday 18:00-19:00
Saturday 9:50-10:30, 11:00-11:30, 12:00- 13:00

Aquacise sessions for children and adults starting in April 2016



Address: 
Leoforos Karion 5510, Avgorou, Famagusta
St’ George rehabilitation centre
Contact person: Charina Kosma
Email: info.swimlessons@gmail.com
Phone no:  +357 99114774
Facebook: www.facebook.com/S.Swimming.Academy/


American Academy Limassol - A wonderful life starts with a better education

Hello everybody,

Choosing the right school for your child could be a difficult decision. Parents will have to think about so many issues. Should the school be private or public? Should children be taught in English or Greek language? Would parents afford to pay for a private education? How our children’s life will be improved by joining the classes of the private school? American Academy School is one of the oldest educational establishments in Cyprus that already proved its capacity to educate children for more the 12 generation. ”Kids Fun in Cyprus“has the pleasure to introduce you Mr.George Bargilis , the Managing Director of the American Academy School. He will be able to give our readers, the parents, some information and advice regarding children’s education private standards in Cyprus.





Thank you so much for taking time to share your insights and wisdom gleaned from your many years in different positions in the education field. We are delighted that we can share your expertise with our readers and the wider community.

Izzy: First, starting at the beginning, you've spent the past 20 years in education. What inspired you to go into teaching? Were you always interested in school administration as a part of your career?
 
George Bargilis: I have been actively involved in education now for nearly twenty years. My own children have been my own inspiration. Every parent wants the best for their children. What is the purpose of education? Is it simply to acquire the necessary academic skills to be able to serve society? Or is it to enable each individual child to flourish and reach their highest potential as human beings and make their own contribution to the betterment of our world. This is the essence of the word “education” at the American Academy.





Izzy: Most of the parents already know about the name “American Academy” as being a reputable and trustful school in Limassol. What can you tell us about the history and future of the school?

George Bargilis: The school in Limassol was founded 30 years ago, with the education of children in mind. It has grown from a small school of about 80 pupils, with just one primary and secondary school, to what we consider a community today. A new momentum has taken off in the American Academy during the past two years, a lot of fresh ideas having been introduced along with some innovative concepts.  With our thirty year anniversary beginning with the academic year 2016/17, there will be a lot to look forward to.





Izzy: What is the main ethos of the school and why it was chosen? Do you believe that your targets are the same ones expected by parents from an educational establishment?

George Bargilis: “Wisdom above all in a loving and caring environment for every child”; this is the motto at the core of our school philosophy. Is there anything else any parent would want for their child? We don’t simply teach at the American Academy, educate. We provide a supportive environment which recognizes each individual’s talents, encourages students’ aspirations and creates opportunities for them to acquire the knowledge, skills and qualifications needed to develop their personal qualities necessary for their future lives.






Izzy: How do you find the American Academy School’s children? Happy to join the classes every day or too busy studying? Can American Academy School provide a balance between the times spend on main fields and the other activities?  What about theater, sports and arts and what about of having fun?

George Bargilis: The comments we usually have from parents is that their children get up in the morning and are looking forward to go to school. They are happy to be here. If there are exceptions, as there are in all aspects of life, we try to find the root of the problem and seek for solutions, making it a priority to ensure that each child and their parents are satisfied with our services.
Our first concern is the academic performance of the child but we also emphasize a versatile and well-rounded development through their own personal experience within the school. Sports and the arts are encouraged throughout all ages via various activities like sports days, school performances and competitions.
 We combine various excursions and activities with lessons being done within the school. All children with us become involved in charity work, science and geography through experiments and also have the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which in itself combines, hiking, volunteering and learning basic survival skills for camping and living alone.






Izzy: “We believe that a good school is one that educates students for a successful life in both the academic arena and real life situations by communicating effectively, respecting individual differences and setting high standards for students, staff and administrators”. The above declaration is part of the ethos of the school. What are your techniques to improve communication between teacher and students and between students in order to facilitate a relaxing learning environment where children do not feel stressed? Is the teacher a “bad boss” over a group of small children or a friend? Would you say that your approaching is a successful one? How is the bulling taking care in a school with multinational students?

George Bargilis: We agree with your way of thinking. This is exactly what we are about. We encourage an open relationship between teachers and students, easily accessible at all times.
There are no “bosses” at the American Academy. There is constant team work between staff and students and continuous collaboration in order to achieve the desired results. In spite of the multicultural character of the school, there is no bullying at the American Academy. The philosophy of the school and the entire approach eradicates any unpleasantness that usually arises with bullying.






Izzy: What opportunities are you creating for gifted children? Would you be able to say that they will find at American Academy School the perfect place to evolve and to be noticed?

George Bargilis: For those children who need it, we offer a personalized accelerated learning programme according to their individual needs, whether that being higher level classes or even help for students that face learning difficulties and ensuring that each and every student thrives.






Izzy: How does the standard of education compare with that of the U.K. that many of the expats are used to? Class size? Level of professionalism? Understanding of child psychology? Are the graduated students of American Academy on the same level as their U.K. peers when applying for a university?

George Bargilis: The level of education is the same as that of the UK, yet in regards to results, we can proudly say that our results are higher than that of the UK. Our graduates have been known to obtain an average of 4 A’ levels at the American Academy unlike the average of 3 in UK. Our students last year managed to achieve 45% results in an A or A* grade in their A levels in comparison to the UK of 28%. We also had 100% pass rate which we were very proud of, which has remained a consistent percentage for the past 5 years. This may be due to a number of factors as for example smaller class sizes but also the care and attention we offer our students on an individual basis.






Izzy: Why would you encourage expats parents and Cypriot parents to enroll their children at your school? What are the advantages in comparison with other international schools in Limassol?

George Bargilis: The personalized and individual attention we offer children is out strongest point. They are not simply names in a class register but young individuals with their own thoughts, their own mind, their own ideas, who need guidance and care in cultivating their individuality. We have to offer them the best support possible so they can grow into independent thinkers as adults, ready to face the challenges of our ever changing world.





Izzy: Parents in Cyprus are used now to send their children to a public school and then to occupy their time by sending them to more tiring afternoon classes to compensate for the absence of various English/UK degrees.Is American Academy offering a better educational/financial solution for the children to obtain the same degrees?"

George Bargilis: Definitely, studying at the American Academy results in a drastic reduction or even exemption from private afternoon lessons. Our academic programs are structured in such a way, so as to make the use of private lessons unnecessary and at the same time facilitate the process of students entering a University of their choice.

This offers additional benefits to families as they save time and money and converts the free time children have into the ability to do something more constructive or they can spend with their parents or become involved with additional hobbies.




Izzy: Thank you one more time for the time taken to reply to our questions and we wish to American Academy School many successful years to come.  At Kids Fun in Cyprus we have a habit now. We ask our interviewers to share with us a story, an experience or simply a thought. What would be yours?
George Bargilis: 
A story-A young Palestinian boy, somewhere in Gaza, is hurt badly by a bomb. Through the various medical and refugee channels, he finds himself in our school on a full boarding scholarship. He finds himself in a foreign country, hurt physically and emotionally with no knowledge of the English language. Now, a few years later, he studies at the University of Nicosia on a scholarship he earned on his own merit. This is what makes our school a caring school, a school where children thrive, regardless of what their social, financial or academic background is.

An experience-The first time I was present in our graduation ceremony of our final year students, I was so moved by the experience, I was overwhelmed by a special kind of joy that reached the depths of my soul. The experience, this feeling, has been accompanying me during every graduation I attended over the years. There is a special sense of fulfillment in knowing that you played a very important role in these young people’s lives, during a very important part of their lives and helped them to acquire all the necessary tools for them to walk into a world full of challenges and unpredictability.

A thought-“ A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child”.

Forest E. Witcraft (Teacher, Scholar)



Lots of sunny days from Izzy the Cypriot lizard!

American Academy School

Address: 24 Despinas Pattichi Str., 3071, Limassol, Cyprus
Phone no:+357 25 335074
Contact person: Samantha Beer
Facebook: American Academy Limassol&Paphos
E-mail: admissions@americanacademy.ac.cy


Information about the school: The American Academy (Private) School of Limassol is a multicultural community which provide quality education in a caring environment for children in Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary levels all the way to university entrance, from Cyprus and the whole world.
Curriculum followed: British National Curriculum
Language of study: English & Greek
No. Pupils in a classroom: 15-20

Entrance exams: Compulsory Secondary School Exams in Mathematics & English/Greek (depending on whether or not the child will be joining our Greek School or our English School)
Facilities: Library, ICT Room, Chemistry Lab, Biology Lab, Physics Lab, Art Room, Theatre, Playground, Canteen with daily fresh meals,
Starting prices: Starting price from Pre-Kindergarten €840 per term.
Summer school offer: Ages 2-5 €100 per week, Ages 6-10 €120 per week, Ages 11-18 €300 per week
Other information you might consider necessary: Our Entrance Exams for Class 1 Secondary School will take place on the 16th of April at 8:00 am.

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Kids learn to cook at Alfa Culinary and Beverage Academy in Nicosia

Hello everybody,

Closed for the moment. Opens only for Birthday Parties!

A little world for boys and girls … that teaches you big things … the culinary world. The place where children start learning about food, about healthy food, about how to be able any time to enjoy cooking as much as eating. The lessons that will teach kids to be proud of their accomplishments. The art of cooking will be slowly discovered by all the children at Alfa Culinary School in Nicosia.





Mini chefs can learn their way around the kitchen, practice basic safety and techniques, and whip up tasty dishes in these cooking classes for kids starting 5 years old. Alfa Culinary Academy offers also the opportunity for parents to follow Cookery Classes and Sugar Craft and Pastry Classes.  





Alfa Culinary Academy is the perfect recipe for teaching children that cooking is an enduring life skill that can be artistic, creative, and sometimes quite surprising! Depending on the age of the participants, each class incorporates culinary skills that build upon each other to progress into more complex food preparation, such as leavening, tempering, knife skills docking and piping, just to name a few. What's docking you ask? Niki Charalambous the Chef cook and teacher would be happy to give to your children all the explanations!





 Alfa Culinary and Beverage Academy offers cooking classes to children in a safe and professional environment that encourages discovery and creativity. While learning culinary skills is the main ingredient at Alfa, each class adds a heap of kitchen safety, a scoop of etiquette, a handful of table setting, a pinch of menu planning, and laughter to taste.
Young chefs will be able to learn basics in:

·        kitchen safety
·        proper food handling
·        food preparation
·        cooking and baking techniques
·        presentation
·        table setting
·        manners
·        basic cognitive subject matter
·        and so much more!

Parents love watching their "young chef" grows with confidence and knowledge as they create these recipes at home and develop life-long skills while having FUN!







One of the greatest benefits of letting kids cook is the sense of achievement and self-sufficiency that they experience. More importantly, they are likely to be less picky about eating food if they have helped to prepare it. By making it fun, kids also learn to participate in household chores without perceiving it as something they are forced to do. Beyond this, children will also gain a better appreciation for the amount of work and thought that really goes into preparing meals.






Learning to Cook is a great opportunity for children to know about healthy and unhealthy foods. Going one step further, it is best to make them understand about how to cook in a healthy manner (for example, limiting the use of oil), so that they grow up with smart standards.

 At Alfa Academy, Mrs. Niki Charalambous take the, mystery out of cooking by providing an interactive learning experience that gives children the opportunity to develop a life-long love for the culinary arts.





Cooking it is an art that can change your children’s life forever. Starting from their eating habits, to the way they will enjoy their time spend in the kitchen to… a successful adult job!

“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort!”






The happiness will be in your eyes, when you will complete your work, a little piece of art … and you will always remember the day your daddy took you to your first culinary lessons. A special gift from your parents!





Lots of sunny days from Izzy the Cypriot lizard!

Alfa Culinary and Beverage Academy

Address: 93 B, Kyrenia Avenue, Shop 2, Aglantzia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Lesson schedule: Every Saturday 10:00 – 12:00
Price for lessons: 65€ per month (1 time per week)
Language: English and Greek language
Age: 5 years old .... to 100 years old
Contact person: Fani Toumba
Phone no: +357 22101348
E-mail: info@alfaacademycyprus.com
Website: alfa-academy.com



Other benefits of culinary lessons for children:



·        Math Skills: Doubling a recipe requires addition (or multiplication) skills, halving it requires division, and recipe fractions like 1/2 cup and 3/4 teaspoon bring math applications into the kitchen.
·        Comprehension: Reading and understanding step-by-step directions, adding ingredients in sequence, and techniques such as folding and blending, are all important components to yielding the finished food product.
·        Real Life Science: Cooking is a science experiment. Too much salt, baking powder, not enough flour, or the wrong timing and you're likely to have a flop on your hands. Cooking provides an opportunity for kids to get hands-on experience with basic science.
·        Self-Esteem: Cooking allows kids to get instant feedback, which helps them learn and grow in self-knowledge. Learning a new skill, such as baking or cooking, is known to help grade school children with healthy self-esteem development.
·        Communication: A relaxed atmosphere in the kitchen offers an opportunity to talk, about anything! Parents can take advantage of this, especially with teens, as communication is a key element to raising a well-adjusted, healthy child.
·        Life Skills: Cooking is a life skill, much like driving a car, learning to read, or swimming. As children grow and get closer to adulthood, the job of feeding becomes theirs.



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