Young Englishmen and women visit Bocholt

The school partnership between Haslingden High School and Mariengymnasium is gathering pace. Pupils from Haslingden High School in the twin town of Rossendale have now spent some eventful days in Bocholt.

The last time a group of pupils from Haslingden High School visited Bocholt was in 2017. During the mayor's delegation visit in June this year, the resumption of school partnerships was discussed. Bocholt has now welcomed a group of pupils from Rossendale.

At the official reception at Mariengymnasium, Gudrun Koppers emphasised the importance of exchanges for young people. Dialogue to maintain or achieve peace "is indispensable", Koppers emphasised the importance of international relations. Headmistress Ruth Sonntag emphasised that Mariengymnasium very much welcomed the new relationship with Haslingden High School.

The English pupils enjoyed a varied programme: After the reception at St Mary's Grammar School, the guests went to lessons with their German partners. The English pupils spent the afternoon on a city rally in the town centre. At the group evening in the Europahaus, the contacts made at school were deepened.

The following day, the Rossendal students were given a guided tour of the LWL industrial museum Texwilwerk Bocholt Weberei and then relaxed with a spot of bowling. The day ended with a joint visit by the Bocholt and Rossendal pupils to the Inselbad Bahia swimming pool.

Teacher Laura Connor from Rossendale, who had previously experienced exchanges in Bocholt herself, organised the trip. Together with Bocholt headmistress Sonntag, Connor believes that this year's school visit was the starting signal for the revitalisation of a lasting school partnership.