It is now more than
a year since my return from a very successful TICFA Tour to Thailand
and Laos. My personal and professional growth that resulted from
this tour has been evident to both myself, and my colleagues.
None of my school staff were aware of the Access Asia program
prior to my TICFA tour. After my return, I was overwhelmed by
the interest shown in the tour by staff, parents and students.
One of the successful
outcomes has been the realisation by more students of the vast
diversity of Asia. Students and teachers were familiar with Japan
through the school's Japanese language program but had not seen
images of life in Laos and Thailand until they viewed my video
resources.
The staff were keen
to use my experiences to focus on the studies of Asia throughout
the school during Term 3. This culminated in class displays during
Open Night in Education Week.
Some examples of cross
curriculum activities include IT and the Arts. The IT coordinator
was enthusiastically trying to set up email communication with
schools in Asia. A short-term project was established with a school
in Bangkok through my contacts, which we hope will be expanded
this year. Art from the Asian region was displayed in the Access
Asia district display, then used in a general display in Fremantle.
A group of staff members regularly attended Access Asia PD nights.
If I was to select one highlight of this year it would be the
day I asked a 12 year old Chinese Malay girl to write her Chinese
name in script on the blackboard. For 7 years she had not told
any of her peers that she had 2 names, only ever using her English
name. The look on her face, when she saw intense interest on the
other students' faces, and not derision, was one of surprise and
then relief. This very quiet student became immensely proud and
eager to share her cultural customs.
Sue Hall, Bibra lake
Primary School, WA
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