By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
IT’S a long way from Endeavour Hills to China.
But that didn’t stop students and teachers from James Cook Primary School making the international trip in October as part of the school’s student study tour.
Six students, two parents and three teachers made the journey which was organised in conjunction with James Cook Primary School’s sister school Sanjing Primary School in Changzhou in Jiangsu province.
The 12-day tour included a range of cultural icons such as The Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Disneyland and an acrobatic show were also squeezed into the itinerary.
“When we were standing on one of the wonders of the world – the Great Wall of China – it became a reality that we really can bring the world to our students,” principal Kathy Sharp, who went on the trip, said.
“It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my teaching career to be able to take students, who were exemplary ambassadors for our school, to have this unique opportunity of a lifetime.”
The students prepared themselves for the tour by having extension Mandarin language classes as well as extra sessions to learn about China’s history.
While in China the students also got involved in classes at Sanjing Primary School and visited their buddies’ homes for dinner.
“We experienced many things for the first time in our lives such as travelling on a plane, standing on the Great Wall of China and staying in amazing hotels,” said student Mary.
