German Partnership Exchange
German Partnership Exchange : 18th-24th March 2024
It was an early start on Monday morning to get to Heathrow for our flight to Düsseldorf at 7.10am! The journey to Germany marked the beginning of a further development in our established partnership with the ‘Gymnasium am Neandertal’ in Erkrath near Düsseldorf. This reciprocal exchange visit was a little different to a traditional Exchange. Our students were matched with a German student of a similar age and with some things in common to help with communication. We stayed together in a local youth hostel and travelled each day to school using public transport to meet with partners, attend lessons and get involved in joint projects together. Our students were immersed in German culture and customs and were able to use the language learnt in class to find their way. Students explored both Düsseldorf and the town of Erkrath in small groups using a Rallye designed by the German students. We ate in school in the canteen, made Pizzas together and parents contributed to a farewell waffle party. We explored the differences between the school systems and the lives of young people in our two countries. We had lots of fun throwing eggs from the fourth floor of the school without them breaking! Each group was given cardboard, polystyrene and sticky tape to design protection for the eggs. Much to my surprise, not a single egg was broken! Every day was packed with activities and negotiating many trains, trams, underground trains and buses but we still found time to shop, visit Cologne, go to the zoo, look at the cathedral, have a ride on the Ferris wheel and go bowling.
Our students took it all in their stride and were wonderful ambassadors for Presdales. They are looking forward to welcoming their German partners to our school 5th-9th May 2024, where they will take part in a similar programme.
Comments from students:
German exchange trip I really enjoyed the exchange trip as I got to meet my partner and her friends and really get to know her. I asked her all sorts of questions and saw what it was like to go to her school. It was interesting to see how everyone learns at das Gymnasium am Neandertal and see how different everything was there. I enjoyed bowling and going to the zoo because it was a very different experience and it looked very different from our zoo and bowling that we have here.
My favourite part of the German trip was das Gymnasium am Neandertal (their school) because I think it was fun and interesting the way their school differs from ours. For example, they had free periods where they could do their homework and how the school uniform system works. I also enjoyed the waffles that some of the Germans made us, it was sehr lecker!! Finally, I really enjoyed going to the zoo and seeing all the different animals as well as getting my Spaghettieis!
Danke!
I really liked the German exchange trip. It was very interesting to see how their school is different from ours. For example, they have free periods and also learn Latin.
My favourite part of the German trip is when we went to the German school, das Gymnasium am Neandertal, and we saw how their school worked. The differences between their school and our school is that they have free periods, no school uniform and they have Latin as another subject.
I went round a German school and got to be a German student for a few days, got to go on a tour around their local area and Düsseldorf, went to the zoo and went bowling! My highlight of the trip was going to the German school and learning about what they learn about. If the German department decides to do another exchange like this, I would highly recommend it because I thought it was a great opportunity to explore Germany a bit further.
I really enjoyed meeting my German Partner and getting to know her. Thankfully, she spoke pretty good English making it easier to communicate. She was very eager to get to know me and asked me lots of questions and conversation starters. I also liked going to their school. They were a completely different feel to our school but it was interesting to learn how it all works.
I really enjoyed the German trip and getting to know about the German schools and their school routine. I enjoyed having a partner for a week, we got on very well and I can’t wait for them to come to us in May. It was a great experience and a lot of fun.
Finally, the Dale Dance Trophy Award this year was awarded to Lydia Botting and India Elkes for their commitment to Dance during their time at Presdales. Lydia and India have been dance leaders and performed in Dance Evening for many years. We have some very special dancers leaving Presdales this year to continue their A Levels elsewhere and begin University degrees, thank you for always embracing dance at Presdales and being fully committed as a dancer and a dance leader. Your support does not go unnoticed and the younger students are really going to miss you.
