Three excited students from Putney High School spread the word about London life to schools in Beijing when they set off for a week-long trip to visit schools there - in the hope of forming lasting friendships.
 
The girls, Sarah, Karen and Kristina, were joined by Headmistress Denise V Lodge and Head of Modern Languages, Maud Matley. They took in a whistle-stop tour of Beijing and spoke at five schools about a typical day in the life of Putney High School.
 
They forged a partnership with the Beijing schools and learned about the highlights of education in China. Since their visit – an exchange visit programme has been set up and girls have begun learning the Mandarin language at Putney High School.
 
Karen wrote about her experience there for the Wandsworth Borough News, an excerpt of which is below:

"We set off to China with the aim of visiting Chinese schools and forging links with them to help the mandarin lessons and cultural awareness in our school."

"Whilst we were there, we had the opportunity to visit nursery, primary and secondary schools and joined in with some of their traditional lessons.  Unfortunately we let down the English side in Calligraphy, but felt we redeemed ourselves with our chopsticks skills.  Perhaps what we learnt the most from was our student forum where we were able to have a discussion with Chinese students of our own age.  Aside from giving us an insight into a mindset different from our own in many ways, we also came to the realisation that we had much in common."

"We are some of the lucky few that had the chance to see past the stereotypes and for a short period of time be immersed in Chinese culture. Overall we were left with the lasting impression that not only are the Chinese eager to learn from us, but also we have just as much, if not more, to learn from the way of life and education in Beijing."

A trip to India, to build further international links and increase Putney High School’s cultural awareness, is planned for this Summer – watch this space!