Students at Tacking Point Public School are entering a global classroom after another successful exchange with students in South Korea.
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The students from Hakha are in Port Macquarie on a study exchange from November 18-22 and students from Ucheon will be visiting from December 2-6.
The successful connection between the local school and an elementary school in South Korea was originally marked by a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and forming a sister school on the other side of the world six years ago.
Since then the schools have been linked through projects and videoconferencing while also regularly hosting a teacher and Year 5 and 6 students for a home stay visit.
South Korean teacher Jae-Geong Lee said she never fails to be impressed by viewing the Aussie sky, seeing the Southern Cross, walking beautiful beaches and capturing glimpses of amazing local wildlife like kookaburras, koalas and dolphins.
Ms Lee said she finds Port Macquarie schools very different – everything from school projects to studying hours but sees exciting ideas and enjoys learning and sharing cultures.
Tacking Point Public School teachers along with leaders and community members have developed a strong bond with their partner school and have an interest in learning about Korean culture and language.
Tacking Point teacher Karen Jones co-ordinates the visits each year and said the children have been inspired by the many projects share similarities and differences, sports, games, songs and dances.
The school band also learnt the South Korean National Anthem for the recent visit by South Korean students this week.
Mrs Jones also said that as well as building a better appreciation of each other’s culture and opening their minds to other people; students develop skills to converse through live camera, get to relax with distant friends and present topics of interest.
“The connections engage us in an entirely new perspective and a window through the world.”
Madi a student in year 3 in Port Macquarie said she loved being about to connect with students across the world.
“It is amazing to be in another country in a classroom video conference it is like magic and so exciting.”
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