You will no doubt have read about the British Council sponsored visit to China in the summer. Last year 17 pupils and two teachers visited Beijing for two and a half weeks. Whilst they were there they had lessons in Chinese, martial arts and cultural activities such as calligraphy and Chinese opera mask painting. They also had the opportunity to visit such amazing places as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Emperor’s Summer Palace as well as a night out at the Chinese Opera. Despite all this, without exception all the pupils who went came back saying the highlight of the trip was the chance to go and spend an afternoon with a Chinese family. For a more detailed account of the trip, together with details of all our international activities, have a look at issue 5 of Big Mag.

 

This year, British Council have told us that they are expecting to repeat this experience if they are given the funding. In anticipation of this, and in view of the fact that last year we were given six days in which to apply for places, we have sent a letter out to parents of pupils in years 9 – 13 asking if they are interested in their son or daughter taking part in the next trip, which, all being well with British Council and their funding, should again be in the last two weeks of school, into the first week of the summer holidays.

 

At this point we have only asked for people to declare a genuine interest. As soon as we have any information of course, we will contact you, but it means that we should be in a much better position to be first to start booking tickets and consequently get the better deals on airfares. As with everything, once demand rises then so does the price.

 

If your son/daughter is interested in going on this fantastic experience of a lifetime, then please return the letter to Mrs Borders or Mrs McLay in the MFL office as soon as possible.