Functional English News - June 2006

Change of building

From September 2006, we will be moving from our building in Chubb Hill to the Sneaton Castle Centre in Whitby. We have the use of the Margaret Cope Centre, a modern building on the campus of the Sneaton Castle Centre.

• We are continuing to offer English courses - we will be running our summer courses in July and August in our building as normal.
• Homestay accommodation for all students will be with hosts in Whitby, where they will find a comfortable room, meals and a warm welcome.
• We are still in the process of selling the school building in Chubb Hill - we hope this can be finished by the end of 2006.

The Sneaton Castle Centre has a wide range of facilities, including:

• Christian Bookshop
• Tennis Court
• Football Pitch
• Gardens and Grounds
• Music room

We are working to start to set up a network of teachers and hosts all over the UK for 2007. More news on that later in the year. We hope to be able to mark the closure of our building at 5 Chubb Hill with a celebration service, at the end of August – any ideas or contributions for this would be gratefully received.

This will be a new beginning for Functional English - a transition from one way of working to another, which will allow us to continue to do the work that we are called to. I would therefore be grateful to you for your continuing prayers for us, and that you would help us to get the message out that we are continuing to operate, because our future depends on this.                                                                           

Neil McKelvie, Principal

As always, we have much to give thanks for, and it is easy to forget all that God does. We have to thank Him for:-

• Providing Sneaton Castle as a place we can go to
• Progress towards a sale of our Chubb Hill building
• The many hosts who have welcomed students into their houses since Jan 2006.

Please pray for…

• Our move to Sneaton Castle in September
• Completion of the sale of Chubb Hill
• Continued student bookings

Please pray for everyone affected by the changes to the school over the next year.

50 Plus programme

In May 2006 we ran another 50 Plus course, our two-week programme for students over 50.  We had the following message from Lydia Rohr:-

"I did enjoy staying at Functional English school for the 50 Plus course, I've had a happy time. The teachers are kind and the lessons very good and interesting. The trips I also enjoyed very much - many thanks to all the teachers who have spent so much time with us, have taken us round and have shown us many beautiful, interesting things and places. Lunch time with the students in the Dining Room was pleasure, and getting to know different English houses was nice".

For more details, click on our 50 Plus webpage on: - www.funenglish.co.uk/courses/page9.html

School news

Students from Functional English have been welcomed by many people from Whitby.

Here is a group of students on the 062 term visiting Rev. Stuart Gunson of the Methodist Church.

Whitby Leisure Centre

Students can take advantage of a  

News from former students

In response to our last newsletter, we had a lot of messages from former students. Here are just a few of them.

"I was a student at Functional English in 2000, when I came from Bolivia following a dream: to study photography. I do remember that you gave me a great hand, letting me to stay at school as a part time work-student, when I was in need, and I will never forget that gesture. For the moment I am in Argentina, presenting the Thesis for my Social Communication Bachelor’s Degree, and finishing my “Flash” (Macromedia web designing software) studying. My future is in Lord’s hand, because the situation in Bolivia is uncertain."
Virginia Rivero Elder (002, 011, 012)

"I was student in spring 1987 at your school. I have so a great joy, when remember these ten weeks at school, the fellowship and Whitby. Thank you very much and thank you very much again and again for all the love and help that I did receive to find my way for the live and especially to find Jesus!"
Rita Chevalley- Heule (872)

"Sorry for my delay in writing you. Well, I was sad to hear about the closure. I had a such good time in my life inside Functional English. I will never forget the 2 years I sent there! I would like to know about the Celebration. I would like to be present. I am in Nottingham and it would be easier to go there."
Graziela Nogueira Santos (013, 014)

"Thanks a lot for informing about the changes you are experiencing in Functional English. It’s very interesting to see how God is leading you into knew areas. Jesus promised us, that he will never leave us. So I am convinced that you will be blessed step by step, while seeking God’s will for you."
Andreas Jent (003, 062)

"I was student in Summer / Autumn Term 1984. I have just read about your future development. Although it has been 20 years I still have very warm and sweet memories of my time in that school. Is there anybody still there I know, who was there in Summer / Autumn 1984? Where are they all - students and staff - who were present there in 1984? If I woud visit the school now, maybe I would not know anybody. Time runs fast, like a glimpse of an eye. The time at F. E. has given my life the strongest and sweetest impression, beside of being broght up in a family.
Much of the feelings have to do with the school building as well. The happy talks everywhere, the beautiful sun lounge - a classroom with a special viev. The short ways between classrooms, dormitories and eating rooms, the chapel and the other rooms. So the whole building was like a nest, where all could find cosyness and friends to talk. Talks and friendship could build over the barriers of an individual class. It is sad to learn that this is over now and no more students will reside within the school building. I hope a future building will restore the atmosphere again.  My thoughts and prayers are with you."
Andreas Jenny (845)

"I had a look at the newsletter and it looks very interesting although a bit sad for many like my brother Andrea and I who had such a rich time at F.E. We trust that the Lord will direct you and the rest of the staff in decision making and will give you His wisdom at the proper time. Wait on Him. I am married now and back in Italy after almost 4 year away from my country for work and various studies. I was in few different Bible schools in Europe and Canada for almost 3 years; the Lord has been good.
Now we are establishing yourself, my wife and I, in north Italy. We are teaching English, organizing mission trips to Italy for different school and working in different jobs."
Domenico Ripepi (004, 012)

"Thank you very much for the newsletter. I have read it carefully and I felt a little strange by reading your projects. This building is reminding me so much good memories. However, as you said, things have changed and I am looking forward to see the next steps in God's plans for FE. IMay God guide you in your work and in the service He has given you."
Patricia Gander (953)

"There are lots of changes for Functional English. Wow. You guys are taking bold steps. We will pray that the Lord will give his blessings to your ministry that has blessed so many over so many years. We are looking forward to hearing further news about the latest developments and plans. God bless you."

Bernhard & Luzenir Ramseyer (994) 

Website update

• Date and Price update to the website

Dates and prices for 2007 are now available from the website at www.funenglish.co.uk/main/page6.html

The Enrolments Secretary,
Functional English,  5 Chubb Hill,  Whitby,  North Yorkshire  YO21 1JU,  UK
Tel: +44 1947 603933                 Fax: +44 1947 820703
Email: office@funenglish.co.uk    Website: www.funenglish.co.uk