As our International links here at Polesworth develop, more and more extra-curricular as well as curricular opportunities arise. In April a delegation from our partners at Vidyashram, Jaipur, India visited. They had an action packed itinerary arranged by Miss Jackson including trips to Polesworth, Stratford-upon-Avon and London. In school they spent time in lessons, learning salsa dancing and completing a poster competition and a drumming workshop. Some PILC students had the amazing experience of hosting. Here is the account of Lauren Atkins, year 12:

From Wednesday 16th April to Wednesday 23rd April I had the privilege to host two Indian students Siddarth Bhansali and Smriti Gangwal, from our link school in Jaipur, India. During the week we introduced the students to life in England taking them on day trips to Stratford Upon Avon and our capital, London. Siddarth and Smriti settled in well and often told me and my family about life in India.

I believe that hosting plays a huge part in learning about different cultures, when living with someone for a week you get to adopt their daily routine and gain a better understanding of their way of life. When I went to India I stopped with Saloni and Siddarth Bhansali and felt that it gave me a real understanding of their lifestyle.

During the school day the visitors took part in activities ranging from a drumming class to a photo banner competition in which they arranged photos of their highlights of the visit. In the evenings visitors spent time with their host families, we took Siddarth and Smriti bowling and ice skating which they loved and said was one of the highlights of their visit. During this time we got to know each other a lot more and it also allowed my family to spend time getting to know them. I believe that hosting has opened me and my family’s eyes to Indian culture and has shown Siddarth and Smriti about English culture which we should be proud of.

On Monday, 12th May, the names of those who had paid their deposit to go to India in October 2009 were pulled out of a hat.

The successful students are: Tom Loveland, Alex Smith, Zoe Alton, Aimee Bickley, Alex Corbett, Megan Edwards, Morgan Evans, Zoe Grice, Willum Jones, Lewis Kester, Helen Kuht, Ashley Low, Harriet Mason, Dean Ryan, Jessica Timms, Michael Watts, Lauren Whitehouse, Amy Willis, Edmund Hogarth, Louisa Facchino-Stack

We are sure that you will have a wonderful trip. We are currently seeking a partner school in Sao Paulo, Brazil with the assistance of one of our students’ parents Portugese speaking Mrs. Calderoni. We would like to express our sincere thanks for her dedication to the new link.