In a different world, Monday 8 March 2021 would have seen us welcome our four Erasmus+ partner schools – both students and staff – from Dr Johanna-Decker-Gymnasium in Amberg, Colegio Paulo VI in Gondomar, Patrona Hungariae Katolikus Iskolakoezpont in Budapest and Rigas Valsts vacu gimnazija in Riga physically in school. As this was obviously not an option after all, we opened our mobility conference on Creativity and Digital Competences virtually.
The focus for the Northampton mobility was ‘Equal Opportunities’ and the fact that Monday was also International Women’s Day as well as the launch of our virtual mobility meant it was a double celebration here in school.
We were thrilled to host a presentation by Pinky Lilani CBE, who shared her story with an audience comprising staff and students from our partners schools along with our own High School students. Pinky entertained and inspired us with her words and advice, and it was wonderful to see that questions were coming in from our Erasmus guests as well as our own students via the chat function. You can view Pinky’s inspiring talk by clicking here.
Some feedback from students in our German partner school
Looking ahead, more Erasmus+ events are scheduled to take part over the next few weeks. We are looking forward to welcoming a range of guest speakers, two of our own former students delivering a British Sign Language session, the creation of a film with an Equal Opportunities theme by the students and virtual social events for the students hosted by our own Erasmus ambassadors.
Finally, as our project has now been extended until 31 August 2021 and if travel to the UK from our partner school countries is permitted, there may still be the possibility of a physical reunion to celebrate the end of this project which began in September 2018. How wonderful that would be?!
We are delighted that we have been able to continue work on our project, ‘Creativity and Digital Competences for the World of Work 4.0’. The irony of this project title has been lost on no one over the past year, as we have used these very skills to ensure the continued success of not only the project, but of our students’ education.
Mrs Hill
Teacher of MFL and GDST Consultant Teacher
