International Teaching Fellowship This project tracks the processes involved in introducing the Sister School concept to the students via pen pal letter and video sharing activities. It looks at introducing the concept to parents and teachers using a power point presentation to highlight the many benefits to the school community. Additionally it indicates the challenges and seeks to gather input from parents and teachers to overcome those challenges. This project is on going, some of the progress that has been achieved is discussed, as well as the steps yet to be taken. What are the Key Drivers of Developing a Sister School Relationship?
Transcript
International Teaching Fellowship
This project tracks the processes involved in introducing the Sister School concept to the students via pen pal letter and video sharing activities. It looks at introducing the concept to parents and teachers using a power point presentation to highlight the many benefits to the school community. Additionally it indicates the challenges and seeks to gather input from parents and teachers to overcome those challenges. This project is on going, some of the progress that has been achieved is discussed, as well as the steps yet to be taken.
What are the Key Drivers of Developing a Sister School Relationship?
International Sister SchoolsTuc-el Nuit Elementary, Oliver, British Columbia and Pleasant Street Primary, Ballarat, Victoria
Pleasant Street Primary • School on Lake Wendouree in Ballarat, Victoria,
Australia• Approximately 330 students, in 14 classes • 5 to 12 year olds
Two Schools, One GoalEducating and supporting students to reach their full potential
Tuc-el Nuit Elementary• School near Tuc-el Nuit Lake in Oliver, British
Columbia, Canada• Approximately 230 students, in 10 divisions• 5 to 13 year olds
Aims of the Sister School RelationshipStrengthening Global Community
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Establishing relationshipsBetween schools
Increasing global awarenessIntercultural Understanding
• The program is a documented priority within school• Full support from Leadership team and School Council/PAC• A champion with support of the leadership team / team of champions to drive the
program• Succession planning within both schools for when critical staff members move on• Matched expectations and objectives for the relationship (these may change and
develop however should be mutually agreed upon/acknowledged• Reciprocal benefits for both schools• Relatively equal level of commitment between schools• Regular yet flexible and accommodating communication• Ideally face-to-face communication between school staff early on in the
relationship
Key Elements for SuccessTaig, C. and Bouchier, L. (2012). DEECD Sister Schools Relationships – Final Report
Pen pal letters were exchanged.
Some of the linking activities we did between TeN and PSPS last year!
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And short videosUsing iMovie
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And anotherSharing local sights
Over to youWhat ideas do you have for fostering a Sister School relationship between our two great schools?
Sample of Ideas:
Who Ideas
Teachers • Short teacher exchanges• Student home stays• Buddy classes• Video taped assemblies• Record cultural programs• Art work exchanges• Shared website• Web tours of school & events
Parents • Dedicated noticeboard in the school • Visual displays, photos, art, video• Email exchanges• Piloting similar initiatives• Collaborative assignments
Students • Helping a 3rd World country together• Fund raising• Visiting each other’s school
Feedback from these presentations
Student thoughts
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Working together and helping a needy school
Pleasant Street
• Willing to take on the Sister School activities
• Provide opportunities for student led projects
• Have an existing structure for developing ideas over time
• Opportunities for student voice and student action
Junior School Council
Pleasant Street Primary SchoolStrategic Plan 2015- 2018
And the Journey Continues …
Special thanks to the authors of
DEECD Sister Schools Relationships – Final Report (2012)
