School hosts Chinese delegates

Nate of Grade 1 reads a book about Hawthorn Hawks Football Club to Pan Xia from the Chinese Delegation. 193094_01. Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Brendan Rees

 A child reading a book about the Hawthorn Hawks Football Club book has captured the attention of an overseas guest at Brentwood Park Primary School.

The guests consisted of 22 Chinese principal delegates from Xuzhou City in the Jiangsu Province who visited the Berwick school to learn more about the student programs on Tuesday 14 May.

Children joined the delegates in showcasing their school-based curriculum development, including readings about Aussie Rules football.

“Our request to host came from the International Education Division of the Department of Education and Training who firmly believed that a visitation to Brentwood Park would be a positive experience for all involved,” teacher Melissa Butcher said.

She added language did not prove to be a barrier as an interpreter from Melbourne University was in attendance, as well as their own staff member, Daisy He.

The students also organised a presentation about the school’s teaching Chinese language and culture program.“Feedback from the participants was extremely positive and gratitude was conveyed with the presentation of thank you gifts,” Ms Butcher said.