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 Click on a flag to see an archive of our international links: Click here for our Current International Developments About Peterbrook's International Links The Peterbrook Primary School ‘Keys’ that appear on our school crest are the Keys of ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Friendship’. We believe that they symbolise the aim for our children : to develop a knowledge and an understanding of their world, with all its diversity, and a recognition that we all have a part to play in our global economy as a school and as a community. The task for all educators is to encourage children to view themselves as global citizens with a care and concern for others internationally, as opposed to the other option, which is one of rich nations versus poor and the development of an even more obvious culture of the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ across the world. As part of this aim we offer our children the chance of experiencing other cultures through direct links with children in other parts of the world. We currently have active partnerships with :
Links are established with all these schools, and are at Principal, staff and pupil levels. Our partnerships continue to enable our Key Stage 2 children to regularly communicate as e-pals together and in addition our teachers and Principals to exchange curriculum information and good teaching practices. Our programme for ‘International Developments’ are included as a part of our School Improvement Plan, and are designed to strengthen and develop those ties through exciting projects. Our International links began in 2000 following our successful OFSTED Inspection Report. Our school was praised for the way in which the profile of the Arts was maintained alongside the major initiatives in Literacy and Numeracy. As a result, we were invited by Solihull Education Department to represent the Authority in an ambitious three year project with partner schools in Cholet, France and Botosani, Romania. Following planning meetings in the three countries over a three year period, a musical 3-act ‘Opera’, entitled “Le serment aux etoiles” or “Oath to the Stars”, was composed. The children in each school were responsible for writing the words of an act, while the musical directors linked to each school composed the music. The opera’s theme was the world through the eyes of children. The Romanian children, in Act 1, depicted the guiding influence that the stars and heavens have upon the destiny of the world. Peterbrook children, in a moving composition that involved such diverse formats as country and western music, calypso, and Rap, presented the ills of the world as children see them, that is as, death, destruction, war and poverty. The French children offered a hopeful solution in remembering the promise that the heavens have given the earth, and the ‘oath to the stars’ that we must give in return, to make our world a better place in which to live. At the end of a week in Cholet, France, when ‘e-pals’
became real pals, and after rehearsals in the ‘Ecole de Musique’,
the performance took place. It was a world premiere, screened on
French national television, when almost 170 children from three
countries, performed magnificently, to a live audience of 2,500
people. We are very proud of our association with AnZhen No.2 Primary School, Beijing, China. Our relationship began in December 2001 when we contacted the British Council to see whether we could establish a link in a contrasting country. We were invited to become the first school in the world to twin with a primary school in Beijing, China. We were delighted at the prospect! Two days before the end of the Autumn Term we received an e-mail from Lui YuYing, Principal, inviting us to Beijing in February 2002. It was a fantastic experience. We were completely humbled at the welcome, friendship and generosity we received during our six day stay. Links were made at Principal and teacher level, and meetings were held to set up ‘e-pal’ arrangements for our children. We were introduced to the Assistant Director of Education for Beijing, and the Head of the ICT department of the city, with a view to forming a primary school internet site. We observed lessons in English, Art, IT and P.E, and were invited to teach English and Music to AnZhen pupils. The sights of Beijing are truly spectacular. The Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, The Great Wall, The Science Museum were all wonderful : an experience that will never be forgotten. In June 2002 we returned the compliment. Madame YuYing and Li Xin, the school’s Citizenship Co-ordinator, spent seven days in Solihull as our guests. During the week, meetings were held to develop existing curriculum and electronic partner links for children and staff. Arrangements were made to receive two more Peterbrook teachers in Beijing in October 2002. This visit was successfully undertaken. Since then Madame Yu Ying has retired, and Madame Nie is now the Principal. We have received an invitation to visit AnZhen once again in October 2004, when four staff will visit for ten days. This visit will incorporate a three day music and dance project with AnZhen pupils. It will also involve the teaching of traditional English songs and English Country dances with the AnZhen children. In addition, it is our hope that during this visit our school website will become a part of a larger International Primary School Website based in Beijing. The future is full of opportunities for our children and our staff and I do hope that you enjoy browsing our ‘international pages’ which form an exciting part of our website. Mr. E. Carter |
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