23 October 2015
A team from Jersey will be joining representatives from the other Crown Dependencies next week on a visit to schools in China with the aim of developing new educational links that will benefit students in both locations.
The trip is at the invitation of the HanBan Institute, which is the headquarters of the Confucius Institute and part of the Chinese Ministry of Education. The itinerary includes visits to primary and secondary schools in Beijing and Shanghai.
The Jersey delegation will be led by ESC Minister Deputy Rod Bryans and includes the head teachers of Jersey College for Girls, Le Rocquier, Highlands College, d’Auvergne and La Moye schools as well as ESC’s head of Standards and Achievement. The Isle of Man and Guernsey are also sending representatives.
Career opportunities
Deputy Bryans said “This is the latest chapter in what has been a success story for Jersey education and has stemmed from Hautlieu’s twinning with BaYi School in Beijing. It will provide opportunities for even more of our young people to make international links, broaden their horizons and learn about a different culture. It has great potential in terms of future careers and business opportunities for the whole Island.”
The visit follows the confirmation in London yesterday – in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping – that Hautlieu has been awarded a Confucius Classroom status, which means it is likely to receive support from the China in areas such as Mandarin teaching in Jersey. Hautlieu is twinned with BaYi, the President’s old school.
Hautlieu head teacher Nick Falle said “It has been an incredible day. In receiving accreditation as the world 's 1000th Confucius Classroom in today's ceremony with the President of China, Xi Jinping I believe that so many language and cultural opportunities are going to be available to Hautlieu students and to Jersey as a whole.
Celebrating diversity
“Our commitment to this work is driven by our friendship and partnership with Beijing Bayi School, our students and teachers' enthusiasm to embrace new ways of learning and a determination to celebrate not only diversity but to recognise what we have in common. I would personally like to thank all the students and staff who have given so much to our work with China over recent years - you have made this happen!”
At the end of next week’s trip Deputy Bryans will spend the day in BaYi High School.
Deputy Bryans added “Students’ experiences already have shown us that this link can change lives and give our young people a new perspective and new direction. The educational and cultural links through our schools complement the commercial partnerships that are being developed and reinforce the partnership between our two cultures.”
Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters, is a public institution affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education, and is committed to providing Chinese language and cultural teaching resources and services worldwide. It meets the demands of foreign Chinese learners and contributes ‘to the development of multiculturalism and the building of a harmonious world’.
gov.je