25 Years of Scottish–German Friendship and Exchange
Dunoon Grammar School – Hardenberg Gymnasium 1989-2013
As long ago as 1988, when Mrs Lesley Clark, Principal Teacher of German and French in Dunoon Grammar School, applied for funding to start an Exchange with Germany, she could never have imagined that she would still be organising the same Exchange in 2013.
This is a fantastic achievement, and credit must go to Lesley and her friend and colleague, Miss Sheena McKillop, who have led the successful German Exchange of Dunoon Grammar School for 25 years.
So once again in June in year, 37 pupils and four staff from Dunoon Grammar School are going to Fürth in southern Germany to spend eight days with pupils of Hardenberg Gymnasium. The visit will be a very special one, as it will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Exchange between the two schools.
During those 25 years, over a thousand Dunoon Grammar pupils have benefitted from having the chance to stay with a German family and to get to know how a German teenager lives. Preconceived ideas about what “German” or “Scottish” people are like have been swept away, when the young people notice that their respective partners are “just like us.” Although nervous at first, these pupils have tears in their eyes when it is time to go.
Some friendships last a long time! One pupil who will be visiting Germany for the second time has told the staff that her older sister was on the very first exchange and is still friends with her German partner. Indeed they are meeting up this year in Sweden.
The teachers involved in organising the Exchange over the years have benefitted too. Essential planning and close collaboration before and during the exchange create a fantastic sense of camaraderie between Scottish and German teachers and a firm friendship which is greatly valued.
Incredibly there are two people who have been on every Exchange since it started in 1989; Miss Sheena McKillop, a Geography teacher at DGS, and the driver of the German coach, Thomas Höhn.
“Twenty-five years. I can’t believe it! “ says Miss McKillop. “Taking part in the German Exchange is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved – pupils, families and staff. The pupils who take part learn a great deal, develop many skills, experience new situations and have a huge amount of fun at the same time! It is an extremely rewarding experience that they will never forget. I am very proud to be part of it and I know my colleagues feel the same. Here’s to the next 25 years of Dunoon Grammar School German Exchange.”
Thomas Höhn says, “It has been a pleasure to have been involved in the Scottish / German Exchange for the last 25 years. I started as the bus driver but now really feel part of the Exchange. Every year I look forward to seeing all my Scottish friends again”
This year’s group of 37 pupils from S2 to S6 will be well-prepared for their trip to Fürth. With the benefit of many years experience, the staff realise the importance of the Scottish pupils getting to know each other before the journey. Raising funds through a bake-sale in school and bag-packing in a local supermarket encourage the pupils to work together and relax in each other’s company. An information evening for parents and pupils explains what activities the German hosts have planned and the standards of behaviour expected during the trip. In a workshop in school pupils share their experiences of previous exchange visits and air any concerns they may have, and Scottish country dancing is practised for the ceilidh in Germany.
While it is hoped that all pupils and staff will have a super time in Germany on this special 25th Anniversary, it is also hoped that this Exchange of Dunoon Grammar and Hardenberg Gymnasium will continue to benefit pupils for many more years to come.
For more information on the Dunoon Grammar German Exchange, please contact June Cocksedge on Tel: 01369 705010.
