Pioneering China school trip a success 05 June 2008
Pioneering primary school pupils have returned from a trip to China - and have left a clamour among other children to follow them. Eighteen final year pupils at St Bernadette's School in Ashby headed out during their half term.
The 10 and 11-year-olds spent three days in the capital Beijing and then flew onto the Dalian region for five days to visit the Taoy Uan school which they have enjoyed a link with since 2004.
Spending four days there, the children were able to put into practice the Mandarin they have learned in school, thanks to the efforts of exchange teacher Zhou Liang.
A return trip is expected from Dalian in September.
The school's Chinese links co-ordinator Patricia Grey was among the adult travellers.
She said: "We didn't think this trip would have been as good as it was."
Mrs Grey said she was astonished at how well the children had mixed despite the language barriers.
"During the sports events the Chinese children were helping them with sign language and body language to help the teams win."
As well as being in mixed teams they joined music, art and maths classes, and helping the Chinese children with their English.
Visits to the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square were also made while in Beijing.
St Bernadette's pupil Connor McInerney (11) said: "The Great Wall of China was the highlight of the trip. It was high up in the mountains and I was surprised by how long it was.
Niamh Fitzpatrick (11) added: "It is brilliant to be able to say that I have a friend in China .
"I was able to have a little chat with some of the pupils using my Mandarin."
Part of the cost was funded by a £5,000 grant from the British Council.
Source: Scunthorpe Telegraph
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