1st October 2010

CHARD: Green valley come to Holyrood

by Marion Draper

VISITORS from Green Valley School who come from Chennai, Tamil Nadu India (previously Madras) were greeted at Holyrood Academy for a week- long visit. The two schools have been connected for 13 years and enjoy regular cultural exchanges.

The small party were greeted by the school choir before a short speech of welcome by headteacher Maurice Hicks.

They were then given a Powerpoint presentation by some of the pupils explaining the itinerary they had planned which included visits to Lyme Regis, Taunton and Street, culminating in a trip to Ilminster Carnival.

The students then presented their friends with Holyrood polo shirts and student diaries before giving them a guided tour of the classrooms.

Addressing the visitors Mr Hicks said: “On behalf of everyone at Holyrood I am delighted to give a very warm welcome to our friends and partners from Green Valley School.

Over the many years our partnership has been running, well over 100 Holyrood students and staff have had the privilege to visit Green Valley.

“They have always spoken about your hospitality and kindness and about the impact this has had on them personally.

“A life changing experience is a phrase often heard after theses visits. We are honoured and grateful that you have come all this way to visit us and hope you have an equally wonderful time while you are with us. We look forward to many more years of friendship in the future so that our young people can continue to benefit from this very special partnership.”

Director of Green Valley School, Angelina Dharmarag, replied: “It’s very cold but the warmth from you guys is really appreciated. We have been in London visiting places but we really look forward to being with you here, inside classes and outside classes.”

The partnership between the schools started as part of a project by a member of staff 13 years ago and a grant from the British Council has enabled links in both direction with trips every two years from Holyrood by sixth formers and staff who help at an orphanage there.

Mr Hicks said many of the students were so moved by the experience that they have gone back independently.

The schools have run projects together such as a role reversal situation where the Indian students designed bags which were manufactured over here and marketed by Holyrood.Mr Hicks commented that it was a valuable learning tool for all of them.

PICTURE: WELCOME EXCHANGE - Holyrood Academy and Green Valley School students and staff

CHARD: Green valley come to Holyrood

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