We first established links with Macassar High School through our contact with Trevor Sampson from the Restoring the Sound in Macassar, Cape Town in 2003 when he came and gave an assembly to year eights about life in Macassar and the locally community.

Since 2006 through the funding of the British Council we have been able to develop and strengthen ties between Macassar High School and Whitchurch High Schools.

Our link activities have focused on teacher and learner exchanges of up to two weeks with the visiting group being hosted locally with teachers and pupils. This has been wonderful to exchange ideas and built lasting friendships. Usually Whitchurch High School has visited Macassar High School either side of the February half terms and Macassar High School has visited Whitchurch High School in June. At these times one school is on holiday, whilst the other is in session.

It has been a privilege for both school communities to allow a small number of each to be fully immersed in life for two weeks some six thousand miles away in another school in complete contrast to theirs. Any initial nervousness is soon dispelled by the hospitality and commitment of both schools to make such a programme work. Teachers have taught in each others schools, pupils have experienced lessons in another school and everyone has benefitted from the personal links which have been established. The experiences have always been shared with others when returning home.