12^th October 2011

The close links between the twinned cities of Bristol and Guangzhou, China’s third largest city, have been further strengthened by the establishment of a sister-school partnership between Clifton High School and DongFengDongLu Primary School. Bristol and Guangzhou (located in southern China on the Pearl River) have been twinned for over ten years and have developed firm business links, but this is the first time that schools in the two cities have set up a formal link.

A delegation from Guangzhou, including the Head of DongFengDongLu Primary School and The Deputy Mayor of Yuexiu District[1][1] where the school is based in Guangzhou, visited Clifton High School for the first time on 12^th October. They were welcomed to Bristol by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Colin Smith.

Head, Tony Richards and his staff arranged a very colourful and well choreographed school links ceremony. The entire lower school was present at what he described as an historical moment in the school’s life. He emphasised in his speech how important China as a global force and how it will impact on the pupils lives well into the future. He said:

‘At the heart of our purpose are the children in our schools. This new relationship will help to broaden their horizons and make learning more exciting. They will be able to communicate with and learn about a different and fascinating culture, better preparing them for life in the increasingly global world of the 21^st century.

What a wonderful opportunity we have before us. May we grasp it with both hands.’

Ms Chen Xiao asked how many pupils had been to China and at least a dozen raised their hands to her surprise. She said the link would open a new world for her pupils back home and she was sure when they were older, they would visit Bristol. Ms Chen Xiao invited all the CHS pupils to visit Guangzhou and she told them a warm welcome awaited them at her school.

The speeches were given against a huge backdrop of images of both schools. CHS pupils had borrowed the BCP’s Lion Dance costume and had been busy learning one of the dances. Other pupils accompanied the dance on drums and cymbals. As the Lion lay down to rest, all the pupils sang an uplifting piece on having a positive outlook on life. Ms Penny Lee from the Bristol China Partnership was presented with a bouquet of purple flowers to thank her and her colleague Yimin You of Guangzhou city council international relations dept, for all their support in making the link a reality.

Tea and biscuits were then taken in the reception room where the deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Colin Smith, presented Ms Chen Xiao with a book on the aviation history of Bristol and the life of George White. CHS introduced us to their new maths teacher who is from the Chinese community here and who will support the linking work.

The delegation then visited the Council House where they were received in the Lord Mayor’s parlour by former Lord Mayor Cllr Chris Davies (LD) and Cllr Clare Campion-Smith (LD), the executive member for Children and Young People’s Service, which includes Education, was also in attendance. The delegation were shown the council chamber and afterwards they saw the Guangzhou coat of arms on College Green. The group then visited the cathedral briefly and heard the choristers rehearsing for the evensong later in the day.

The visit also received extensive coverage on both “Breakfast” (10 mins) and “Drivetime” (5 mins) on Radio Bristol. There was also a four minute piece on BBC Points West that evening.

This is the first official school link brokered by the Bristol China Partnership although many schools have worked with us on one off projects or Chinese New Year activities. A delegation of teachers and education officials from Guangzhou will visit Bristol to formally link the schools in mid October

Notes:

The members of the delegation from Guangzhou:
1: Qiu Shao Min - Deputy Mayor of Yuexiu District; 
2: Liu Xiao Ming - Deputy Diretor of the Education Bureau of Yuexiu District;
3: Zhao Pei Xia - Deputy Diretor of the Education Bureau of Yuexiu District; 
4: Chen Xiao - The Principal of DFDL Primary School; 
5: Huang Hui - Deputy Director of School Affairs of DFDL Primary School; 
6: Li Ying - Section Chief of the Foreign Affairs Office of Yuexiu District

The Bristol China Partnership (BCP) was founded as a not-for-profit organisation in 1998 when a group of local Chinese people and Bristol City Councillors expressed their desire to develop closer links with the people of China.

We work closely with Bristol City Council, businesses in the region and educational, cultural and leisure organisations to ensure greater mutual understanding between our two countries.  We place particular emphasis on the relationship with Bristol's sister city Guangzhou in Southern China.

http://www.bristol-china-partnership.com/default.aspx