Global Relationships

Part of our vision at Sumner School is to connect children with the wider world. During Years 5-8 students become increasingly aware of national events, environmental, social and political issues and international events and crises. Through these they evaluate their role as a global citizen. 

Connecting globally has increased rapidly over the past decade. Learning for our children is no longer contained to the four walls of the classroom. Through the internet our students can make connections almost anywhere in the world. At Sumner we want to nurture an appreciation of and respect for social, cultural and religious diversity, and develop in our students a sense of global citizenship.

Over the last couple of years we have developed a sister-school relationship with Glendal Primary School in Melbourne, Australia. It is a multi-cultural school with 37 different countries being represented. To help grow this relationship we have participated in several teacher exchanges with Glendal and in 2013 we sent a group of ten Years 7&8 students to Glendal for a week. 
This year, we have 14 Glendal Primary students coming to Sumner, also for a week. We look forward to having them and sharing our world and culture with them. Thank you to all the parents who will be hosting these students.

In May, 2015 as part of our goal to extend our global connections, fifteen of our students and two teachers will be travelling to Samoa for an educational exchange. Whilst in Samoa students will be immersed in the Samoan culture. Time will be spent on both islands and students will stay in hotel like accommodation for a few nights, as well as, in a Beach Fale for a few nights. 

Experiences will include:

• Exploring the Samoan culture by spending time in Samoan schools
• A day trip to Lalomanu, where the children will discuss the regeneration and rebuilding that has taken place along the coast since the Tsunami in 2009.
• Visits to Samoa’s best attractions e.g. Saleaula Lava Fields- (Walk on the acres of smooth looking lava flows, visit half buried churches and villages and then visit Satoalepai swimming with Turtles, to swim with the turtles!)    

The provision of an overseas learning experience supports our students to consider and engage in the role and responsibilities they have as active and informed global citizens, through connecting with peers in other countries, experiencing new cultures and developing new understandings of their place in the world. 

Click to go to the Glendal Exchange 2015 Blog

Click the image above to download an application for the OLE to Samoa 2017