Thatcham school celebrates 30-year exchange programme

Kennet School held a celebration to mark three decades of exchange trips with German school

STAFF and pupils from Kennet School and its German exchange school came together on Tuesday to celebrate three decades of exchange trips.

On the eve of the children from Melibokusschule's return to Alsbach-Hähnlein, south Germany, an event was held at Kennet to mark the 30-year anniversary.

The exchange programme was set up by former Kennet teacher Mervyn Else, along with Melibokusschule teacher Hans-Jurgen Schmidt.

Mr Else said that he was very proud to be at the celebration of a programme he started 30 years ago.

He said: “The German school always has more children wanting to come here.

“When you stay with another family, it's a challenge.”

Headteacher at the Stoney Lane school, Paul Dick said: “Not only do we learn each other's language faster and more effectively, but we also learn about one another's culture.

“It is this mutual knowledge and understanding that builds bridges between countries and lasting friendships between individuals and families.

“I can only pay tribute to the teachers and families who, for 30 years, have given so much time and energy to this worthwhile project.

“On behalf of the many, many generations of young people from Germany and England who benefit from the experience, thank you.”

Kennet's head of modern languages, Linda Page, who has been on the exchange, as have her children, said: “It's about pupils being more open to other languages and more open to other ways of doing things.

It's about the way they see the world.

“They are also learning independence by being with another family.

“It's that bridge of being with another family.

“They still have the support of the teachers but they have to learn to be self-reliant.

“It's the launch pad for when they do it on their own.”

The deputy headteacher at Melibokusschule, Mathias Volkart (pictured above), said: “Some of the children told me that after two days they started to think in English.

“They all get very inspired when they come here and they all get very motivated to study English hard at school.

“We are looking forward to having the Kennet children over in Germany.

“We are hoping the exchange will continue forever.”

Year 10 pupil Hannah Milligan said that her mother was German and she was looking forward to the trip because she thought it would be nice to go to Germany on holiday rather than just to see family.

Stephen Ellis, also in Year 10, said that he had lived in Germany when he was four and wanted to learn the language properly.

Talking about her exchange pupil, Becca Stewart said: “We wanted it to be normal family life showing how the English people live. She was really shy when she got here.

“I wanted to teach her British things so my parents haven't used German.”

The Kennet pupils will be going to Germany in May.

Any former exchange pupils are being asked to submit photographs by email to lpage@westberks.org.uk for a commemorative book.