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| German Exchange |
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Die Anne-Frank-Schule and Malbank School and Sixth Form College |
| One fine day in 1978 a member of the American Armed Forces stationed at the airbase near to Frankfurt in Central Germany was on a canal holiday in this country and decided to stop at the Marina by our school and walk into town. |
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Needless to say he passed by our school and made a note of its name.
Following conversations on his return to Germany the school was contacted to see if there was any interest in forging links between Malbank School and the education section on the airbase. A fascinating tale!
In 1979 and 1980 exchanges took place between the two establishments and were widened to include pupils from the Anne-Frank-Schule in nearby Raunheim.
In 1981 the exchange then moved on to be just between the two schools and so the pattern of partnering schools in Cheshire with ones in the administrative district of Kreis Groß Gerau developed and was supported in great measure by advisers within Cheshire Education Committee. Many schools have taken part in the partnership scheme over the years and it is believed that the exchange between our two schools is the longest running, always been highly successful and popular. |
The exchange is open to pupils in years 8 - 11, although it is not unknown for pupils from Yr 7 to have visited Germany on an exchange visit! The visits take place in alternate years and this year it is the Raunheimers' turn to visit us. |
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Pupils join in lessons in the host school and go on outings to places of interest which give them a flavour of British and German life: Old Trafford, Speyer Cathedral and Alton Towers, to name but a few!
The exchange is funded by parental contribution in the main and on occasions by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council. Parents, therefore, have a vested interest in the exchange and over the years many lasting friendships have been forged. Indeed, there have been countless visits between families both here and in Germany outside of the actual exchange. |
We have also assisted in many celebrations in Germany , including when Raunheim was granted the right to fly the European Flag and when Herr Muller retired as the Head of the school. Our pupils have performed on these occasions and done themselves and us proud. |
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And what does the future hold?
This year sees the 25 th anniversary of the exchange between our two schools and to mark this there will be a major celebration in the School's new Hall on Saturday 8 th July in the afternoon and early evening. There will be singing and dancing by pupils from both schools, local dignitaries will be there, friends old and new of the exchange will be there and and it is hoped that this celebration will set the blueprint for the exchange for years to come.
If you have been to Germany on this exchange or if you know someone who has, please ask them to get in touch with the School and ask for Mrs Smith, who will be delighted to invite them along. Come and chat to Fritz, who will undoubtedly remember exactly who you are and with which pupil you were partnered!
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| Beyond this year staff at the school are working hard to ensure that this exchange continues to flourish as it brings such a wealth of experience, especially to the pupils, but also to all who are involved in it. |
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It has been the launch pad of so much more than simply a 'trip' each year: teachers have also had an exchange of their own to see what working conditions are like in each others' country and so they can understand better the pressures and priorities with which each has to cope. |
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