Links with China strengthen further
We have had a productive partnership with the High School Affiliated to the University of Architecture and Technology in Xi’an, China for several years ad recently this was strengthened further. In September Mrs Coleclough visited the school to experience first-hand a week in the life of Chinese education. She was able to participate in the weekly flag raising ceremony and was given a warm and enthusiastic welcome but staff and students alike. Throughout the week she taught several English lessons and gave a lecture to 250 17 year old Chinese students on British Culture. In return the Chinese students taught her the art of paper cutting and calligraphy in addition to Tai Chi which she picked up quickly. Mrs Coleclough observed many lessons to see how our Chinese colleagues work and was able to pick up some ideas to bring back to Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School.
It was also an opportunity to catch up with Mr Zhang Yi, or Roy as we all affectionately know him, who worked at Boteler for 10 months last year, teaching Mandarin Chinese to our KS3 pupils. Roy was very hospitable and showed Mrs Coleclough the sights and culture in Xi’an. It was an amazing experience which she can share with pupils and staff, to highlight the differences in culture between the two schools.
We were very fortunate in being able to arrange a reciprocal visit for the Head teacher of the Xi’an school to visit us in November 2014. Cheng ‘Catherine’ Xiaoling was given a warm Boteler welcome and thoroughly enjoyed her time with us. 
She was treated to the full experience and saw many aspects of school life. She particularly enjoyed watching the music lessons and the singing club, commenting on how talented the pupils are. She met with the SLT and also attended the Remembrance Service. Mrs Coleclough took her to London so she could experience the capital city and also see the wonderful exhibition of poppies at the Tower of London.
These two visits further strengthen the links between our two schools and it is hoped that mutual visits by groups of pupils from both schools in the next 18 months can be arranged.
Great strides with China partnership
In June 2014 some significant developments in our partnership with the High School Affiliated to the University of Architecture and Technology in Xi’an, China. Firstly, we bade a very fond farewell to Mr Zhang Yi, or Roy as we all affectionately know him, our Chinese Language Assistant from our partner school. He has worked at Boteler for the last 10 months, teaching Mandarin Chinese to mainly our KS3 pupils. In addition, he has collaborated with the Geography, Design Technology and RE departments to raise our pupils’ awareness and understanding of Chinese culture. Finally, he assisted Mr Wood in coaching our highly successful Table Tennis teams.
His departure preceded a visit last week by Mr Wyss to our partner school in Xi’an. He spent a week meeting with the school’s Senior Leadership Team and teachers, teaching several English lessons and even learning Chinese calligraphy and Tai Chi! The main purpose of the visit was to plan for the next steps of our partnership that was first established by Mr Sharples in 2008. This will hopefully involve mutual visits by groups of pupils from both schools in the next 18 months.
On his return Mr Wyss enthused, ‘I must thank our Xi’an partner school for a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Their generosity is matched by the deep understanding of each others’ schools and cultures that we continue to forge. I am excited by the prospect of some of Sir Thomas Boteler’s pupils visiting China in 2014. Similarly we will be delighted to welcome our friends from Xi’an in the near future.’
In July 2009, Mr. Sharples went to visit Xi’an in China to establish links between our two schools. We will be further enchancing this partnership with a number of events throughout the year.
Middle School attached to Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology No 13 Yan Ta Road Xi’an 710055