Building relationships with schools across the world is an increasing focus for Shiplake College; having strong international ties means that both schools can benefit from the enduring relationship, allowing pupils to enjoy resources from other schools and, in the future, the potential of trips and tours abroad. During the Easter break, Dr Gareth Hughes (Deputy Head, Academic), Mr Paul Jones (Assistant Head, Academic) and Mr Keith Settle (Director of Boarding Admissions) travelled to China to formalise a collaboration agreement between Shiplake and a leading international school in the south-west of China; the Guiyang Prime International Academy. Thank you to Dr Hughes for the following report on a successful and innovative trip:
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‘After having made contact with the Guiyang Prime International Academy (GPIA), the trip to visit the school in the Guiyang province of China was arranged. The primary purpose of the trip was to formalise the collaboration agreement between the new Academy and Shiplake College, so that we can continue to grow Shiplake’s international ties. The official Signing Ceremony was attended by a number of key stakeholders, including GPIA’s UK-born Executive Headmaster, Mr Richard Howgate. This agreement paves the way for many exciting school projects, including academic, musical, cultural and sporting exchanges, and academic collaborations on STEM subjects. GPIA will be funding robotics equipment for Shiplake’s new Key Stage 3 Digital Literacy programme, and new Technical Level Engineering course in the Sixth Form from September 2017. There is also the possibility of having a visiting Mandarin teacher in the future, for pupils to take up learning Chinese as a co-curricular activity. Still in its early stages, discussions are being had around sports (particularly football and rowing) and musical tours to Guiyang.
During the visit, the Shiplake delegation enjoyed a tour of the impressive new multi-million-dollar site for the International Academy, toured the Hundred Flower Lake rowing course, and experienced some of the local cuisine and culture. The scene is set for some very exciting, and mutually beneficial, inter-school collaboration in the years to come.’ Executive Headmaster of GPIA, Mr Howgate, commented: '?????????????????????', which, roughly translated, means 'Shiplake College and the Guiyang Prime International Academy for a successful sister school cooperation'. To visit the website for GPIA, please click here.