Published on:
12
September 2012
A Jamaican school teacher has spent the last week in a Clackmannanshire school as part of an exchange arrangement.
The visit followed the highly successful trip to the Caribbean in May by Clackmannanshire Secondary Schools Support (CSSS) teacher, Bruce Caldwell.
CSSS and Dunoon Technical High School, Kingston, Jamaica, established a link 18 months ago as part of the Global School Partnership.
So this week Jodi-Kaye Foote, 29, a science and mathematics teacher, arrived in Clackmannanshire on Thursday, 6th September, spending a week with the Secondary Schools Support in Bedford Place, Alloa.
The Jamaican schoolteacher was welcomed to the school by Clackmannanshire Council's Provost Tina Murphy, who presented her with a gift to mark her visit.
Provost Murphy said: "The partnership between the council's Secondary Schools Support Service and Dunoon Technical High School was established after Moreland Wilson from the British Council in Jamaica read about the Clackmannanshire Secondary School Support Service on a website and suggested a link.
"We are delighted that this link has now been firmly established and gives the teachers and children in both schools the opportunity to exchange information about music and poetry in their two countries, as well as a number of green issues."
Jodi got the opportunity during her visit to take part in a meeting with the schools Eco-Committee, the CSSS, having attained two Eco Schools Flags.
She said: "I am looking forward to maintaining a strong link with the school. I have thoroughly enjoyed my visit and meeting such wonderful people. It has been an awesome experience."
For Jodi, who has been teaching for five years, it was also her first visit to the United Kingdom, and during her trip took the opportunity to visit both Edinburgh and Dunoon.
Jodi added: "When I go back we have arranged for the schools to be linked by Skype so that the children from both Jamaica and Clackmannanshire can communicate interactively."
Back in May Bruce taught for five days in Jamaica, teaching English and elements of Scottish and English history. He was also was involved in meetings with the after school Global School Partnership Club and engaged in Solution Focus sessions with staff and students.
Bruce, who has lived and worked in Clackmannanshire, for 21 years, the past 12 for Clackmannanshire Secondary School Support Service said: "One thing I would say from my visit to Jamaica is that pupils at Dunoon High and those attending the CSSS face similar challenges despite their different locations."
The partnership will enable pupils have a global perspective whilst also allowing the children and staff in both schools to celebrate diversity.