LSA High School links with LEBANON to boost education for all

LSA Technology and Performing Arts College has been chosen to develop international links with Rawdah High School, Lebanon as part of a major new school twinning project to boost global education.

Connecting Classrooms is a UK government and British Council education initiative. LSA has been selected in recognition of its commitment to teaching students about global issues. Teachers and students are working with [Rawdah High School] in [Lebanon] to learn how to become responsible global citizens and to develop skills to work in a global economy. Schools across the UK can benefit from a range of support offered by the scheme.

Sandra Underwood, School Link Coordinator from LSA Technology and Performing Arts College said

"We want our young people to participate in Connecting Classrooms so they can work on collaborative activities which address shared global issues such as how their lives differ and remain the same- while at the same time, increase their skills and outlook in that we are citizens of a global world and equality is a common thread.”

Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening said:

“I am very pleased that LSA technology and Performing Arts College in Lytham St Annes is taking on this excellent opportunity to link with schools in other parts of our world. Young people and teachers can make a fantastic contribution by sharing the best of Britain with their peers around the world and at the same time, the great thing is that they can get invaluable knowledge of what life is like in other countries."

“Connecting Classrooms will enable pupils to learn about the world around them, about the facts of poverty that face children their own age in developing countries, and how education can help eradicate poverty. It will also benefit teachers by enhancing their professional skills.”

The programme will enable Katia Tajeddine from Rawdah High School in Lebanon to take part in an exchange visit with LSA Technology and Performing Arts College and work on classroom-based projects together, with the aim of giving young people a unique and hands-on international learning experience. Our “Walk a mile in my Shoes” project will provide the opportunity for every student understand their own identity and their belonging to local and global communities. Students can learn to appreciate other cultures and how their identities are affected by history and geography. They will learn that opening their eyes and hearts to those that are different enhances their lives and makes them better global citizens while enriching the learning taking place in both countries.

Katia Tajeddine ”Being part of the Connecting Classrooms Program and partnering with a school in the U.K. have enabled RHS students to come a step closer to becoming the tolerant, cultured, peace-making, and moral global citizens that we aspire to nurture in our school.” Mr Chalhoub, Head Teacher at Rawdah High School said, “We firmly believe that an international dimension is an essential part of our curriculum, thus we view this partnership as an imperative means to achieving our school mission which states that we aim for our students to be noble and responsible leaders in a global community.

Mr Philip Wood, Head Teacher at LSA Technology and Performing Arts College continued: “Our International dimension is an important part of our school ethos and we teach students to be positive role models and active citizens of the United Kingdom and of the wider world. This partnership with Lebanon is an exciting opportunity for us to further enhance our active global role and is recognition of our commitment to providing a high quality international dimension to our curriculum." 

 

 Photo: Year 7, from left to right Holly Brown, Katy Hyde, Rebecca Gallagher

 

Submitted by Rachelle Kendall