THE HAMBURG SCHOOL EXCHANGE

Yet another successful exchange visit to Hamburg took place in the February half-term week. Two groups of boys were involved – 4th and 5th Formers preparing for their GCSE in German and 6th Formers who have chosen German for A level. The younger group had the opportunity to become fully immersed in school life at our partner school, the Helene-Lange-Gymnasium, one of Hamburg’s most prestigious bilingual grammar schools, while the older boys were on work experience. We were delighted that this year for the first time 6th Formers from the City of London Girls School joined us on the visit. The work placements were interesting and varied, including the German Financial Times, the European Maritime Court, financial institutions and other businesses.

All of the students had already hosted their German partners in early December and so were very pleased at the prospect of meeting up with them again in Hamburg. The German families were extremely generous in their hospitality and the CLS students had ample opportunity to improve their spoken German and to sample German life at first hand. Many of the students commented that their time in Hamburg had flown by and would gladly have stayed longer. Indeed some are already arranging private visits to their partners during the summer holidays and it’s very encouraging to see genuine international friendships grow from a school exchange.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our boys on their whole-hearted involvement in all the various aspects of the exchange. They were a credit to themselves and the school and have strengthened further our bonds with the Helene-Lange-Gymnasium. Thanks too to Mrs Heaf for her help and support on the visit.

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