An impromptu lunchtime karaoke session, a staff-versus-students volleyball game and boomerang-making featured during a five-day visit by Chinese students to their sister school, Victoria University Secondary College.
Welcomed at assembly on Friday, July 24, the 18 students and three teachers from the secondary school attached to Yangzhou University in Jiangsu Province were presented with a flag made by local students with Chinese and Australian ensigns on each side.
Two of the visiting Chinese students performed with the school’s concert band during lunchtime, while others performed the ancient moves of tai chi, put on an Eminem rap, and gave flute recitals and exhibitions of traditional Chinese dance during a school assembly.
Other visitors enjoyed trips to Eureka Skydeck and AFL games, while teacher Andrew Cordell took three Chinese teachers for a spin down the Great Ocean Road to visit the Twelve Apostles.
“The Chinese students connected and bonded with our students really well in a very short time and would like to stay in touch with their host families,” school spokeswoman Anita Stanley said.
“One of the Chinese teachers gave a thank-you speech, and said they noticed how different Australia is to China – namely the blue skies and clean air.”
The VU college plans to send a group of year 9 students to China next year.
