China study tour
Principal: Alan CoffeySchool: Rokewood Primary School
What happened:
After leaving the L21CSV Engage with Asia Forum in September 2011, I was wrestling with the question of “How do I provide my staff with the same experience of an Asian culture which I experienced as part of the Grampians Region China Study Tour in May 2010?” The Study Tour ignited a passion in me to learn more about Asia and particularly China and to share this passion with the students, staff and parents of my school community.
I was on the West Gate Bridge heading west returning home from the L21CSV launch and it came to me! What if I lead a Study Tour to China and used the L21CSV funding to help subsidise the cost for my 2 classroom teachers to experience what I had experienced. I was sure they would be as inspired and passionate as I was about implementing and enhancing our Chinese Mandarin LoTE program in 2011 and it would provide sustainability and support for Asian studies if I left the school.
I mentioned my idea to the teachers at the end of 2010 and on the first day back in 2011 they said they had their passports ready to go.The interest in the idea rapidly spread to where finally 8of us participated. (Our entire school staff, including the MARC Van teacher based at Skipton Primary)(1 Principal, 4 teachers, 2 Education Support and 1 husband)
We used the $3,000 grant to part subsidise the $ 2966.00 cost of the 9 day tour by $500.00 per Rokewood Primary School staff member.
During the Study Tour (Term 1 school holidays 2011) we flew to Beijing where we visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. We all travelled by train to Nanjing where we visited our Sister School the Confucius Temple Primary School. We spent the day at the school and had the opportunity to meet the Principal and teachers and spend time with groups of students.
After our stay in Nanjing we travelled to Shanghai by train and spent the remaining time in Shanghai seeing the sights.
Before, throughout and after the Study Tour I could see and hear the enthusiasm from the staff of the relevance and the opportunities afforded by “Engaging with Asia” for our small rural school. Many of the staff who attended the study tour have said “It is something they will remember for the rest of their lives”
As a result of our involvement in the L21CsV “Engage with Asia” initiative we created an environment in our school community which values the study of Asian language and culture, supports and enhances the introduction of our Chinese Mandarin LoTE program this year and distributes the leadership of Asian studies throughout the school and the wider system.
The greatest significant change has been the level of support and enthusiasm for the study of Asian cultures, especially our Chinese LoTE program and the genuine support andencouragement by our staff of our students studying Asian culture.
Why did you choose this particular change? Why was it significant
The greatest significant change has been the level of support and enthusiasm for the study of Asian cultures, especially our Chinese LoTE program and the genuine support and encouragement by our staff of our students studying Asian culture.
We chose this particular change as it has embedded a passion and enthusiasm for further study of Asian culture and languages in our school, the local community, across the education system and overseas.
All of the participants have continued to share their experiences with others both inside and outside of the school. The enthusiasm has been infectious and the children sense our genuine passion and interest in our Chinese LoTE program. All of our staff have met the principal, teachers and students of our Sister School in Nanjing, China. All of the adults in the school share an understanding of the relevance and importance of becoming Asia Literate and are assisting in developing our curriculum to becoming more Asia literate.
Based on materials from Jessica Dart & Rick Davies – Clear Horizon Consulting – Most Significant Change Model.