EARLY IN AUGUST, SHEARWATER HOSTED AN EXCHANGE visit of 20 mostly high school students and their teachers from two Chinese schools – the School Attached to Dalian Maritime University and Dalian Ealing International College.
This was a first for Shearwater, and we were very lucky to have the guidance of Katie Grubb from Mandarin Pathways to help us provide a welcoming and memorable experience for our visitors. Students were billeted with families in classes in the upper Primary and High School, and received a warm and generous welcome into their homes.
From the feedback we have received, this visit was one that everyone enjoyed – the Shearwater students, visiting Chinese students and host families.
None of it would have been possible without the goodwill and cooperation of our teachers, the students, the host families, and Sandra Frain, who introduced the students to bread and butter making. Students received a welcome to country performed by Dhinawan, Belle Arnold and former Shearwater student Coedie McCarthy.
We hope to strengthen the ties formed through this first visit, to build a regular exchange program for our students and teachers. If you would like to see some of the activities of the visit, you can view videos produced by Rob Lewellyn of newsoulprojects by clicking on the links below. The password for all films is exchange2016.