[Cultural Week 2026] CINEMA, AGAIN

It's the second time that the school devotes its traditional annual Cultural Week to the topic of CINEMA. The first time was 7 years ago in 2019, as you can see above on the first poster, below is this year's. This counts as the 16th cultural week set up in the school.

So today we bring a flashback post and on this link CINEMA you can see the English works done by students for that first time. You can also remember the complete information of that first Cultural Week on our library's blog "ARQUIVOS DO TRASNO".

Here's also the flasback to all Rafael Dieste's cultural weeks held up to now, since 2010 to 2026, except for 2020 which had to be put off due to the lockdown. Each of the links show the previous posts devoted on this blog to each of them.

2010 - GREECE

2011 - MULTICULTURALISM & DIVERSITY 

2012 - HISTORY OF THE OLYMPICS

2013 - OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

2014 - TRADITIONAL GAMES

2015 - HISTORY OF WRITING

2016 - HISTORICAL PIONEERS

2017 - COSMOS

2018 - GASTRONOMY

2019 - CINEMA

2021 - THE SEA

2022 - HEALTH

2023 - CITIES

2024 - CULTURAL MELTING POT 

2025 -

2026 - CINEMA

THE 'RAFAEL DIESTE' ENGLISH DEPARTMENT REUNION

Hilda Fraga, one of the original members of the 'Rafael Dieste' secondary school English Department since its beginning back in 1990,  celebrated her retirement today. For the first time, all the official members that have been part of this department throughout all these years gathered together. From the first members: Mª Luisa, Carmen (Rubio), Elsa & Elena (exception of the late Paco de la Iglesia), to the ones who came after replacing them chronologically: myself (Ramón), Belén, Carmen (Peña) & Isabel.

All these members (plus Juan Carlos & Inma), many other stand in substitutes and 12 conversation assistants have been teaching English in this school for the last 35 years. Three of them will still carry on and there will be others to follow and continue the task...

Hoping Hilda enjoys this new period in her life, knowing she has been such an inspiring, caring and very respected person in this school.

It has been an honour working with her and all the others. All the best to them!

"THE HOLIDAY" TURNS 18

A film I always offered to see in my 1st BAC classes each year at the end of this term before the Christmas holidays used to be "THE HOLIDAYS". Well, this year it turns 18, just another anniversary... if you'd like to watch it and practice your English, here's the trailer...

Video trailer "THE HOLIDAY":

KINGSTON UPON HULL, MY BIRTHPLACE

Kingston upon Hull, often shortened to Hull, is a city in East Yorkshire, England, located where the River Hull meets the Humber Estuary, about 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Historically a market town, military supply port, trading hub, and a significant fishing and whaling center, Hull has evolved into a modern city with a rich maritime heritage and a growing cultural scene.

The city's origins date back to the 12th century, developing as a port for the wool trade by the monks of Meaux Abbey. In 1293, King Edward I acquired the town, then known as Wyke, and in 1299 granted it a Royal Charter, renaming it Kingston upon Hull. Its strategic location made it a vital port, facilitating trade with Europe and beyond.

Hull played a notable role in English history, particularly during the English Civil War when it sided with Parliament and famously denied entry to King Charles I, an act considered to have contributed to the start of the conflict. The city also became a center for the anti-slavery movement, being the birthplace of William Wilberforce, a key figure in the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. His birthplace, Wilberforce House, is now a museum. While its traditional industries like fishing and whaling have declined, Hull remains an important port city with modern docks handling significant cargo. It has also seen regeneration efforts, particularly after being named the UK City of Culture in 2017, which brought investment and highlighted its cultural assets.

Culturally, Hull offers a variety of attractions, including The Deep, a striking aquarium; the Museums Quarter in the Old Town, featuring the Streetlife Museum and the Hull and East Riding Museum; and the Ferens Art Gallery, home to a diverse collection of art. The city also has a vibrant arts scene with theaters and music venues, including the legendary Adelphi Club. Hull's unique character is reflected in its dialect, known as "Hullensian," and its friendly, resilient population.

[Gimbal Walk TV]

"RAFAEL DIESTE" GRADUATION 2024 + "ATSF" CONCERT

Yesterday we celebrated the Graduation of our 2nd BAC students. With their ABAU exams already finished, they all got together at the assembly hall of the Conservatorio Superior de Música to celebrate with their families y teachers. Congratulations and luck to them!

At the same time at the Tolerance Square, nearby our school, the "Aquí Tamén Se Fala" concert was held with great success. Lots of people gathered to listen to different artists singing in Galician: Leria, Lontreira, Boyanka Kostova, & Grande Amore.

"And full of pride we say that yesterday @aquitamensefala made history. That a state secondary school in a working-class neighbourhood organized like this that has no parellel throughout all Europe.

But we say it proudly for the work done by the teenagers of @iesrafaeldieste. we say it full of emotion and passion because yesterday we celebrated the festival of Galician youth of the active youngsters who did basic work all over the country!

[Instagram aquitamensefala]

A huge success having been organized from a public school!

VIDEO TOUR GUIDE OF OUR TWO GERMAN STUDENT EXCHANGE CITIES

 Browsing the internet, I came across this video that gives us a tour guide of the two German cities which have been our destination during our school exchange visits there: Frankfurt & Nuremberg. The video belongs to the series of Rick Davies Europe Travel guides. On it you can see many of the places we've visited in both cities during our stays there. A reminder of some great experiences.

Video: GERMANY'S FRANKFRUT & NÜRNBERG:

THE SCHOOL SAYS GOOD-BYE TO CARLOS, THE CARETAKER

 Today, "Rafael Dieste" says good-bye to our caretaker, Carlos. He hasn't been here many years, but he has definitely become a dear member for all the staff and among the students.

Good luck in your new life, Carlos!

REMEMBERING MY ING3-CLASSROOM

 There was a time, during a period of around 10 years (aprox 2008/9 to 2018/9), when we used to have "subject classrooms" in "Rafael Dieste". That is, each classroom was devoted to a particular subject and mostly that subject was the only one taught in that room, although sometimes and due to availability it was shared with others. It was a way of being able to have specific materials and customize the classroom with English themed issues, in our case.

While this system of classrooms was implemented, I was based mostly in classroom ING3, which was on the second floor and the one nearest to the English Department, all advantages. As a reminder, I've recollected the photos I keep from this classroom. The first picture shows what my classroom (ING3) had on the wall board with projects my students had done over the years for the cultural weeks. The photos below, show the welcoming session to the exchange German students in 2019 and the breakfast that followed. It was 5 years ago today.

The classroom system had to be removed after the COVID lockdown when we returned to classes in September 2019 and hasn't been recovered since and there aren't any plans to, either.

Welcoming German students of 2019 exchange in classroom ING3 (30/4/2019) [link here]

21-12-2023, THE DAY TO REMEMBER: MY FAREWELL TO "RAFAEL DIESTE"

I'll always remember how you said goodbye to me on the last day at school before Christmas, which was also my last day as an English school teacher.

Thanks a lot to all teachers and students who planned this massive and emotional farewell. 

Thanks to the students in 3ºB for your present, a box of chocolates, that I was very glad to share with you.

Thanks to the students in 3ºC, who wanted me to be in their Christmas photos.

Thanks to all my students in the other groups who gave me a round of applause in each last class.

Thank you all!

Special thanks to Pablo Benito (3ºC), Aida, Marisa & Mateo for the photos and videos.

My final speech at the Christmas lunch with teachers and school staff:

Angel, Aida & myself on this same day, remembering our years (2008-2012) as members of the school's management team together with Xosé Ramón. Below us four in 2010.

I'd also like to thank all the workmates who took part in my sendoff:

Adela Sueiro, Aida Aneiros, Alba Pérez, Amara Gómez, Amelia Carril, Ana Bermúdez, Ana Vidal, Andrea Trasancos, Ángel Lozano, Arcadio González, Beatriz Cuesta, Beatriz López-Suevos, Begoña Fandiño, Begoña Santamaría, Belén Méndez, Blanca Sebastián, Carlos Blanco, Carmela Vázquez, Carmen Cordal, Carmen Peña, Carmen Rodríguez, Carolina Muiño, Dores Castro, Elena Brenlla, Eloi Rodríguez, Flora García, Hilda Fraga, Inma Mato, Isabel González, Isabel López, Isabel Viña, Javier Barrós, Laura Díaz, Lucía Sesto, Manuel Santos, Manuel Torres, Mar Seara, María Lema, Marisa Castiñeira, Mateo Torres, Matilde de Cal, Mercedes Garrote, Norma Fariña, Pedro García, Rafael Fernández, Ramón Barreiro, Sandro Gestal, Sara Maison, Silvia Fernández, Xulia Gallego.

Thanks also to other colleagues who learnt about it later and sent kind messages: Alberto González, Carlos Lens, Chus Suárez, Elena García, Eva Mesejo, Fernando Gómez, Helen Grela, Isabel Couceiro, Manuel Rodríguez, Mª José Pereira, Mariam Otero, Mercedes Calvo, Mercedes Pascual, Juan Carlos Portela,  Paul Behrend, Sarah Wade, Victoria Allones, Xosé Ramón Domínguez, Xulio Banga, Yolanda Varela.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH / MUCHAS GRACIAS / MOITAS GRAZAS

4ºESO GRADUATION 2023

For the second time yesterday the 4th ESO Graduation was held at the assembly hall of our school. Students and teachers got together to celebrate the end of compulsory secondary education. For some of them it's a farwell to our school as they'll be moving on to other studies. There were performances and speeches by our headmaster Mateo Torres and several teachers as Alberto Pombo, Arcadio González and Dores Castro.

Good luck to them all!

GRADUATION 2023

Headmaster's speech: Mateo Torres Neira

Hosts of the event: Clara Roca de Miguel & Bruno Carou Barreiro

2ºBAC tutors: Hilda Fraga, Carolina Muiño & Ramón Barreiro

Musical performance by Alba Filgueira Fernández

Speech by Ana Pita Gismero

Yesterday evening, as usual, "Rafael Dieste" 2nd BAC students held their Graduation. After having done the ABAU exams, they all got together to celebrate the end of their school years at "Rafael Dieste" with their families and teachers at the assembly hall of the Conservatorio Superior de Música.

Congratulations and all the best in their future!

4ºESO GRADUATION 2022

This year, for the first time, we've had the Graduation of 4th ESO. Students and teachers gathered at the school's assembly hall this evening to celebrate the end of compulsory secondary education and also the farewell to some students who won't continue in our school. It was also the farewell toDores Castro Villar, tutor of one of the 4th year groups and Galician teacher in all of them, who now retires.

The hosts of the event Violeta Hernández Gestal and Carla Vázquez Ruano (4º-A).

The speeches of each of the class-groups:

4ºESO-A: Irene Doncel Veira & Guillermo López Vaamonde.

4ºESO-B: Roque Torre Castro.

4ºESO-C: Martín Golán Sande.

Musical performances:

María Fernández Sánchez sings with Iago López Pérez on the piano (4º-B).

Iago López Pérez singing "We are the champions" & "We can work it out".

Roque Torre Castro playing the piano (4º-B).

Kamille Prainha Pedrozo singing (4º-B).

Tribute to Dores Castro Villar, tutor of 4ºESO-A & Galician teacher in all 4th ESO groups, who now retires..