Bosco host Chinese students for ‘unforgettable experience’

St John Bosco Arts College played host to 31 students from its sister school, Wenzhou No.2 Foreign Language School in China for an eight day exchange trip.

During the visit, the Chinese students were paired with a ‘Bosco Buddy’ and experienced what it’s like being a Bosco student. Lessons included making scones in food technology, practising writing skills in English and solving equations in maths.

Everton in the Community (EitC) were also on hand to host a ‘Bosco World Cup’ and delivered coaching sessions to students in the sunshine.

The exciting partnership began in 2017 when St John Bosco was selected as an ambassador school by Access China UK, an organisation which funds school partnerships in China and promotes the exchange of ideas through different international programmes.

The school introduced Mandarin as a modern foreign language in September 2016 and currently offers the language to 30 Year 7 and 8 students. Sixth form students can also learn the language as part of their enrichment programme.

The students from China also visited Liverpool last July and before that, students from St John Bosco travelled over 5,000 miles to visit its sister school in the city of Wenzhou, which is in the South East of Zhejiang Province.

Catherine, a student from Wenzhou No.2 Foreign Language School loved the experience, saying: “I had an unforgettable experience today! It’s so different from the life in China. Taking part in the activities and making friends made me feel pleased.”

In April 2019, the school will head to China once again, offering students the trip of a lifetime with three days at the sister school and two days sightseeing.

Headteacher, Darren Gidman said: “It was a pleasure to welcome students from our sister school and continue to strengthen our relationship. Lots of memories were made and it’s a joy to see students develop an understanding of each other’s cultures and form friendships so quickly.

“We are excited to launch our next trip to China in 2019 which will continue to build on this fantastic international exchange.”