German pupils visit Rendcomb for week of exploration and celebration
Rendcomb College welcomed a number of German exchange students last week, giving them a taste of school life, involving them in both Junior and Senior School activities, and showing them many local attractions.
Year 9 and 10 pupils and their families hosted their German exchange partners for the week, guiding them around the school and taking them on trips to a number of local attractions including Oxford, Cheltenham and Gloucester.
The week began with the German pupils reading stories to Reception, year 1 and year 2 in story time, in both German and English.
Rendcomb pupils then accompanied their partners on trips to Oxford and Gloucester, taking in some historic British sites including Gloucester Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, the backdrop to the Harry Potter films, and Beatrix Potter’s The Tailor of Gloucester museum and shop.
The German pupils had the chance to play cricket for the first time with coaching from Mr Thomason, Mr Summerbell and Rendcomb pupils before getting to watch a cricket match in action.
The week was finished with a Royal Wedding tea party to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the birth of Prince Louis. There was a Royal Quiz and traditional British foods and drinks were served. The Head of College, Rob Jones, and Head of Juniors, Gavin Roberts also made speeches thanking the pupils and teachers from Gymnasium Calvarienberg for visiting and bringing a taste of their culture to Rendcomb.
Year 6 Pupil Freddie said: “When I first met Johanna and Lucy I was slightly nervous but then we got a conversation going and they made me feel more relaxed. The experience has encouraged me to learn more about Germany and its language.”
Head of Juniors, Mr Gavin Roberts, said: “It was great to see Junior School pupils interacting so confidently with our visitors. Our year 6’s impressed in particular as they interviewed our guests in German, a language they only started learning this year.”
Rendcomb College has developed a link with Gymnasium Calvarienberg since 2002, with the first pupil exchange in 2006.
Head of German at Rendcomb College, Mrs Rachael Fielding, said: “There were many tears on the final day. The pupils spent a total of two weeks together and many friends were made. Many of our pupils are already planning to go back to Germany to meet up again!”
