Indonesia Comes to Longhill High

There was a truly international flavour at Longhill High School last week, when a group of fourteen students from Indonesia joined in daily lessons.  The students, from years 7, 8 and 9, were living and studying in Brighton, as part of an educational programme organised by UK High School Immersion.  Each student in the Indonesian group was ‘buddied’ with two Longhill students and attended all lessons for a whole week.

The students came from Al Azhar Junior High School in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. With a population of over 23 million people, Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world.  The students were able to attend midday prayers each day in school and were joined by some of Longhill High’s Muslim students.

As well as studying academic subjects during their time at Longhill, the Indonesian students and their buddies got to spend time together taking part in some fun activities after school.  They enjoyed a Haiku poetry workshop, where Longhill students had to write poems in the Indonesian language, while their counterparts had to write in English.  Year 8 student Madison told us, “It was really good fun.  My buddy, Dinta, helped me write in Indonesian, but when I read it out, I think I got the pronunciation a bit wrong, because everyone was laughing!”

The students also enjoyed trying their hand at glass blowing in science and at cup cake making in food tech.  “The cake making was fun too,” said Madison, “and we tried out some new flavours.  We found out that Marmite cup cakes weren’t such a good idea!  It was really nice spending time with the Indonesian students and their English was brilliant.  We’re keeping in touch on Instagram, so we can stay friends.”

Religion and Ethics teacher, Ms Wingfield, who managed the visit told us, “It was very interesting to have a group of students and their teachers with us for a whole week.  There are cultural differences, but similarities too.  Our Longhill students were excellent buddies and I’m very proud of them.”

Below are some of the gifts given to Longhill High, some of the students in traditional Indonesian costumes and friends  Dinta, Shannon and Madison.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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