Students' exchange visit to Bradford

Last July a group of students from Sir Temi Zammit Boys' Secondary School, Mtarfa (of which I am co-ordinator) and Canon Paolo Pullicino Girls' Secondary School, Rabat (participating teacher: Ms A.M. Bartolo) visited Bradford in West Yorkshire, England, on a week-long student exchange visit.

The theme of this exchange visit was "Art, Culture and Youth Information". The purpose was to provide an opportunity for secondary school students to meet and communicate with the local young people in Bradford, visit the sights and get to know more about the culture and youth services available overseas.

This educational programme included a visit to Saltaire, situated in the heart of the beautiful Aire Valley, including a tour of the Victorian Salt Mills, originally opened for manufacturing fabrics, and learnt about the history of Sir Titus Salt's great mill and its communal village.

A visit to Bradford city centre included a walk around the former Merchants' Quarter for the woollen industry known as 'Little Germany', the City Hall, Bradford Cathedral and the famous National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, where students experienced a variety of hands-on exhibits and informative displays. They also enjoyed a visit to the giant 3D IMAX cinema, one of three in the building, to see Batman Begins.

A visit to Brontë Parsonage Museum, Haworth, was a step back in time to perhaps, the world's most famous literary family of writers, who lived there over 170 years ago. The village of Haworth retains much of its original character and was a unique experience for students to understand better the lives and works of the Bronte family.

The Industrial Museum in Bradford, the National Railway Museum, York Minster as well as the breathtaking sights of the Yorkshire moors and dales were not to be missed but the highlights of the programme were definitely the Flamingo Theme Park and Zoo, where our students had the time of their lives enjoying daring roller-coaster rides and other fun rides, and the Lake District, where they went on a boat cruise down Lake Windermere and visited the Aquarium of the Lakes.

This sharing of experiences built good relations and lasting friendships among the group. Undoubtedly, the students were delighted to meet again when the British group came to Malta in late August. Once here, the various excursions helped the visitors to experience our history, our culture and traditions as well as our beautiful beaches and water sports.

Thanks go to Mr A. Fenech, Youth Service Organisation, Education Division, and also to our head of school, Mr C.S. Micallef for all the help and support needed to make this exchange visit a success.

A multimedia exhibition is to be held at Sir Temi Zammit School in November so that these students can share their personal experiences. The exhibition will also include various other students' works, projects and material connected with the Commonwealth in preparation for the summit to be held in Malta next month.