A WEEK of events has educated pupils about the ways of life in an African country, while raising money for a partner school.

Gambia Week at Commonweal School ran in aid of the Gunjur Community Pre-School and as part of the school's link fund work.

The main event took place on Thursday, when all Year 7 pupils took part in the Gambia Cultural Day enjoying a series of eight workshops focussing on a variety of activities such as dance, drumming, art, storytelling and cookery.

Through the week, which saw the school visited by a number of Gambian guests, other events included a Gambia disco for Year 7, sponsored trampolining and a cake stall.

In total £1,000 has been raised by youngsters from the Old Town school, with £500 going towards the pre-school and the rest will be spent on educational resources and funding arts projects in Gunjar village when a group of Commonweal pupils visit in October next year.

Sue Derrick, head of performing arts, said: "Students at the Commonweal School have been working hard to raise money for the school's Gambia link fund. "We are now able to donate £500 to the Gunjur Community Pre-School which will be used for building maintenance and support staffing and educational resources in this small school in the Gambia.

"Many Commonweal students have supported the Gambia fund-raising week, taking part in a variety of events."

Pupils taking part in the cultural day were also shown a presentation about life in the Gambia and finished the day with a celebration of what they learned, including a video of their work.