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Pupils win prize for going global
YOUNGSTERS at a Hebburn school have scooped a national prize for going global.
Year 5 pupils at Bedewell Primary have won first prize in a national competition, organised by the British Council, which rates schools on their international relationships.
Bedewell put together a PowerPoint presentation about their Chinese pen-pals.
And a panel of judges – which included a minister from China – were impressed enough to award first prize of 5,000 to the children.
Hundreds of schools entered the competition, run for the first time by the British Council, in collaboration with HSBC bank.
Competition organiser Richard French said: "The standard of entries was very high, but the judges liked Bedewell's entry because it showed the pupils have worked so closely with their friends in China."
The Hebburn children exchanged letters and e-mails with their counterparts from Shuiguohu Primary School in Wuhan.
The theme of their competition entry was 'A Day In The Life'.
The Chinese children described a typical school day, wrote about their favourite free-time activities and completed surveys designed by the Bedewell pupils.
They also wrote about a special day in their lives.
Hayley Mephan, 10, said: "My pen-pal Liao Feiyao wrote about the day she entered a dance competition. She's a brilliant dancer, and she also plays the Zheng, a Chinese instrument like a harp".
One of the Chinese children wrote a very moving account of the earthquake in Sichuan province, and another about taking part in a public speaking competition.
Sam Muir said "We really enjoyed this project. We have learned a lot about what it's like in school in China".
Headteacher Les McAnaney said: "They showed great expertise in ICT, and were eager to learn more about the lives of their Chinese friends.
"Winning first prize is fantastic, and will enable us to continue to develop the work we do with our link school in Wuhan."
Youngsters will get to meet some of their pals face-to-face next term.
In July, two teachers and several children from Shuiguohu will visit Bedewell, as part of a Chinese Festival Week.
* For more information, visit Bedewell's website via this link.
www.bedewell.s-tyneside.sch.uk
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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