Sadly the ongoing pandemic has meant that many of our much-loved traditions were not able to go ahead as usual this academic year. However the German department is delighted to report the progress of its first ever Year 10 Virtual Exchange in conjunction with Denmark Road High School and our partner school in Germany, the Otto Hahn Gymnasium in Goettingen.

The aim of the exchange is to build pupil’s knowledge of German and help them gain a better insight into German culture and, above all, build the foundations for long-lasting friendships.

The exchange is now in its fourth week and will end on Friday 12^th February.

Fourteen Year 10 pupils have been communicating with their partners via email or social media following briefings about safeguarding rules and ICT user policy.

So far pupils have had the opportunity to introduce themselves to partners, share favourite recipes to try out and pictures of their creations and also discuss films and places they would like to visit.

Regular Teams meetings are on Wednesdays and the feedback from the boys is very positive with boys feeling that things ‘Are going really well’ and that they are all having ‘Fun communicating with their partners.’ The baking challenge has proved particularly popular with boys creating and sharing recipes for tasty dishes.

Next Friday we will be hosting a virtual quiz and presentation afternoon with all participants taking part in this exchange from Sir Thomas Rich’s, the High School and the Otto-Hahn Gymnasium in Göttingen.

The German department would like to thank parents for their ongoing support and congratulate pupils who have taken part in the exchange on their effort and hard work.