Wirral Strengthen Educational Links With Taicang

Wirral Schools Return From Taicang Sister Schools

St Mary’s Catholic College & St John Plessington Catholic College

St Mary’s and St John Plessington have visited their sister schools annually on a joint trip for a number of years as they continue to develop the relationship between the schools. The group arrived in Shanghai to visit: Xintiandi, The Bund, Yuyuan Garden and the Natural History Museum.

St John Plessington’s sister school Taicang No.2 Middle School welcomed both schools to experience day-to-day life as a Chinese student. Upon arrival the partnered school made the visitors feel very welcome during the opening ceremony. During the visit the students learnt how to write Chinese characters in traditional calligraphy with the help of their buddies. Afterwards, the group visited the Taicang Planning Exhibition and the Old Town with their buddies. A group of exchange students had prepared their own renditions of British songs and lullabies for the closing ceremony: You’ve Got a Friend in Me, Somewhere Only We Go, Wicked Game and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

St Mary’s sister school Ludu Middle School set an immersive itinerary for the group to participate in a variety of classroom activities, the students particularly enjoyed learning and practising their Mandarin with their buddies. However, language proved to be no barrier during break time when all of the students participated in competitive sports.

Beijing was chosen by the group as the final destination before departing home to the UK. The students explored some of the cities most iconic sights: Qianmen Street, Tour Beijing Hutong, The Great Wall of China and Silk Market