A Midlothian high school’s goal of forging links with a South African school became a reality last month as staff from Newbattle Community High returned from a week working in Khanya Lesedi Secondary School in the Ratanda Township.
Newbattle Community High was one of 12 schools from Scotland and Wales chosen by the British Council to be part of the Dreams + Teams project, which uses sport to develop international Young Leaders and establish partnerships between schools around the world. Newbattle was chosen due to its commitment to leadership through its sports’ academies as a School of Ambition.
The trip saw Head Teacher Colin Taylor and Bob Foley, Head of Physical Education, visit Newbattle’s partner school Khanya Lesedi Secondary School, which has 1300 pupils aged between 12 and 21 years. The school is located 40 minutes south of Johannesburg close to the town of Heidelberg in Lesedi District.
The teachers gave a presentation at an open air assembly to 300 pupils, which also saw performances from the Khanya Lesedi school choir, dance groups and poetry recitals. The Scottish teachers reciprocated by providing examples of traditional Scottish culture including country-dancing and songs.
The trip was part of a wider initiative to help establish links between the UK and South Africa. It also included a two-day conference in Johannesburg which focused on the theme of achieving realistic and sustainable links between partnerships. Participants included staff from the South African education ministry, British Council and all the Scottish, Welsh and South African staff from the partner schools.
Mr Taylor said: 'The visit was an excellent opportunity to learn about the South African education system and, in particular, the needs of the young people and teaching staff in township schools. The Dreams + Teams initiative will be an excellent opportunity to build strong, beneficial links between Newbattle and Khanya Lesedi.'
In addition to the various seminars, the delegation also travelled to visit Soweto Township, the new 2010 World Cup stadium and Nelson Mandela’s home to learn more about South Africa’s recent history and its hopes for the future.
Having now returned home, Mr Taylor and Mr. Foley are now looking forward to returning the hospitality to Khanya Lesedi staff who will take part in a reciprocal to visit Newbattle High later in the year.
Dreams + Teams is a British Council and Youth Sport Trust initiative that develops leadership skills, active citizenship and international awareness among young people and adults through sport, the arts and international educational partnerships. It gives youths a chance to participate in sport regardless of their social status
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For more information on Dreams + Teams telephone John Low on +44 (0)131 524 5716 or email john.low@britishcouncil.org.
Bob Foley, (far left) Head of PE and Head teacher Colin Taylor (far right)with students from Khanya Lesedi Secondary School in the Ratanda Township. © Bob FoleyThe United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
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