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My arrival at Lvbo Primary School. What a welcome!
In October 2006 I had the privilege of visiting China as part of a link between schools in Dalian and North Lincolnshire Education Authority, funded by the British Council. It was an amazing experience and one which I hope will be of real benefit to our school and our new partner school in China.
The visit gave me the opportunity to meet with staff and observe lessons in three schools in Dalian, two Chinese primary schools and the primary-secondary Korean School. The welcome I was given in each school was overwhelming and unlike anything I have ever experienced in England.
"Hello," from Lvbo Primary
In addition we now have a partner school, Lvbo Primary School, and having spent some time with the headteacher, Liu Lina, and several of her teachers, I know that they are as determined as I am to make the link work for the benefit of the teachers and children in both schools. In a formal ceremony the headteacher and I signed a cooperation proposal, (she had to show me where to sign as much of it is in mandarin) which is an agreement outlining the future development of the link.
Head to head on the running track!
Sorry
kids but I’m not buying any rollerblades for P.E
Lvbo Primary School is a new school which has over 500 children from 6 to 12 years old. It has its own synthetic running track and football pitch, and has a large community sports hall on site. The children were so enthusiastic and welcoming and wanted to ask so many questions. All the children learn English, which is seen as a very important language, and the school had several English speaking teachers.
The headteacher, Liu Lina, presents me with a personal
gift.
All the children back here were very excited and enthusiastic when I gave them a talk and slide show about my visit, and some children have been given presents and cards from the Lvbo children so that they can establish email contact. Although email contact with China is controlled I have had no problems contacting the school so far, or in receiving replies. Several teachers have also shown an interest in developing the link through the curriculum and so you can expect to see a Chinese dimension appearing in lessons in some classes.
I hope to be able to visit Dalian again in the future and give some staff the opportunity to do the same. It is the start of a most exciting project.
B.J. Crowther.
