BRUMBY JUNIOR SCHOOL VISIT TO CHINA, OCTOBER 2007

I visited Dalian in China for the first time in October 2006 as part of the North Lincolnshire – Dalian linking project, which aims to increase understanding and to create strong working links between English schools and schools overseas. I was linked to Lvbo Primary School where I met the school’s headteacher Liu Lina. We have been in regular contact throughout the year and through her I have learned much about life in China and Chinese culture. She is enthusiastic and determined to make the link work. During the year we have had a ‘China Day’ to mark the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), formed email links between several of the children and carried out two shared curriculum projects.

To follow up my visit I was successful in bidding for funding from the British Council to take my two youngest teachers, Mr Tait and Miss Clayton back with me during half term in October 2007. Mr Tait was to undertake a joint curriculum project in Physical Education and Miss Clayton a project in Literacy which involved producing a book for Lvbo School, based on the tale of Robin Hood. We were met at Dalian Airport by the headteacher, Liu Lina and the deputy headteacher, Liu Ya Li, who gave us a detailed plan for the week’s visit to the school and this was discussed at length during a meal that evening.

No amount of warning can ever prepare anyone for the reception that you are given at Lvbo Primary, with the band playing and all the children lined up along the entrance to greet us. Speeches were made by Headteacher Liu and myself to the whole school before we moved inside for the present giving ceremony, which is an important part of any visit in China.

During our time in school we watched English lessons, traditional Chinese music performances, morning exercises, group games, an eye exercise class, a Kungfu lesson, calligraphy and maths. Miss Clayton taught lessons in music and art, and Mr Tait and I took a games lesson. We also gave a demonstration to the whole school of cricket using the bat which we had taken and using a chair as stumps. They looked totally bemused. The teachers were always willing to answer our questions and everywhere we went the children wanted to try their English out on us as every child in the school learns our language from an early age.

Inspecting an excercise book during a maths lesson.

Miss Clayton practises on the zither, a traditional chinese instrument.

A singing lesson.

Miss Clayton adjusts a hat during her Robin Hood lesson. These hats were made at Brumby Junior school to give to the children at Lvbo.

Miss Clayton teaches the "Robin Hood" song.

Skill practice.

Basketball practice with Mr Tait and Mr Crowther.

A kungfu lesson.

Strengthening exercises.

Teaching cricket to the school.

Table tennis (ping pong).

A calligraphy lesson.

Miss Clayton and Mr Tait pratise their calligraphy skills.

Each evening we were treated to Chinese hospitality, eating out in restaurants or in people’s houses. Despite the fact that the school was due to be inspected the following week, nothing was too much trouble for our hosts. You need to be careful what you say; I mentioned how nice the duck was to discover that Headteacher Liu had bought one for our final meal together.

We are extremely fortunate to be linked with this school and its friendly teachers. In recognition of the importance that Lvbo School gives to our link a large display board about our school has been placed at the top of their main staircase leading to the second floor. These displays are normally reserved for famous literary figures, educationalists and scientists.

 I regard the headteacher as a personal friend and look forward to developing the relationship between our schools in the future. I would also like to take more teachers to China to experience this amazing country, so that they gain the enthusiasm to develop this international aspect of our curriculum.                                                                                        B.J.Crowther.  (Headteacher).

Mr Tait on the Great Wall of China.

Mr Tait and Miss Clayton at the Summer Palace.