1. International Teaching Fellowship This project tracks the processes involved in introducing the Sister School concept to the students via pen pal letter and video sharing activities. It looks at introducing the concept to parents and teachers using a power point presentation to highlight the many benefits to the school community. Additionally it indicates the challenges and seeks to gather input from parents and teachers to overcome those challenges. This project is on going, some of the progress that has been achieved is discussed, as well as the steps yet to be taken. What are the Key Drivers of Developing a Sister School Relationship?

2. International Sister Schools Tuc-el Nuit Elementary, Oliver, British Columbia and Pleasant Street Primary, Ballarat, Victoria

3. Pleasant Street Primary School on Lake Wendouree in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia Approximately 330 students, in 14 classes 5 to 12 year olds Two Schools, One Goal Educating and supporting students to reach their full potential Tuc-el Nuit Elementary School near Tuc-el Nuit Lake in Oliver, British Columbia, Canada Approximately 230 students, in 10 divisions 5 to 13 year olds

4. Aims of the Sister School Relationship Strengthening Global Community 1 2 3 4 Establishing relationships Between schools Increasing global awareness Intercultural Understanding Broadening knowledge Gain understanding & appreciation Developing friendships through regular communication 5 6 7 8 Teacher networking Sharing curriculum, practices & ideas Promoting both systems B.C & Victorian education systems Facilitating potential student visits Facilitating teacher visits and exchanges

5. Global awareness Intercultural skills Acceptance of difference Tolerance of other cultures Broadened understandings Authentic communication Access to new ideas Improved confidence and competence Purposeful learning engagement Benefits to Students Multiple and varied gains Real world outcomes!

6. Benefits to Teachers Sharing: Methods & practices Curriculum Knowledge Increased: Motivation Confidence Morale Professional Development Opportunities Collaboration Inspiration

7. Challenges to overcome School calendar differences Victorian School Year BC School Year

8. Students are never in class at the same time. Further Challenge Time zone differences

9. The program is a documented priority within school Full support from Leadership team and School Council/PAC A champion with support of the leadership team / team of champions to drive the program Succession planning within both schools for when critical staff members move on Matched expectations and objectives for the relationship (these may change and develop however should be mutually agreed upon/acknowledged Reciprocal benefits for both schools Relatively equal level of commitment between schools Regular yet flexible and accommodating communication Ideally face-to-face communication between school staff early on in the relationship Key Elements for Success Taig, C. and Bouchier, L. (2012). DEECD Sister Schools Relationships – Final Report

10. Pen pal letters were exchanged. Some of the linking activities we did between TeN and PSPS last year!

11. And short videos Using iMovie

12. And another Sharing local sights

13. Over to you What ideas do you have for fostering a Sister School relationship between our two great schools?

14. Sample of Ideas: WhoIdeas Teachers Short teacher exchanges Student home stays Buddy classes Video taped assemblies Record cultural programs Art work exchanges Shared website Web tours of school & events Parents Dedicated noticeboard in the school Visual displays, photos, art, video Email exchanges Piloting similar initiatives Collaborative assignments Students Helping a 3 rd World country together Fund raising Visiting each other’s school Feedback from these presentations

15. Student thoughts Working together and helping a needy school

16. Pleasant Street Willing to take on the Sister School activities Provide opportunities for student led projects Have an existing structure for developing ideas over time Opportunities for student voice and student action Junior School Council

17. Pleasant Street Primary School Strategic Plan 2015- 2018

18. And the Journey Continues … Special thanks to the authors of DEECD Sister Schools Relationships – Final Report (2012) C. Taig, and L. Bouchier