Cranford Review 2019

Avon Tyrrell
Summer School
August 2018
For
the second year running, Cranford
students joined their peers from Keio
University Junior High School in Tokyo, Japan
and from the County Upper School in Bury St
Edmunds for a week of outdoor activities, games,
quizzes and challenges. The summer school is
set in the magnificent house and grounds of the
present manor house, which was built in 1891
and located in the New Forest. The fairly remote
location makes Avon Tyrrell the perfect setting
and along with the glorious summer weather we
enjoyed last year proved to be a highly successful
week. Cranford students worked alongside their
Japanese and Norfolk counterparts with alacrity,
working out how to cope with the low ropes and then the high ropes,
meeting the challenge of building a raft from blue barrels, planks
and rope and trust walks. All the students have to “muck in” when it
come to clearing up and keeping their rooms tidy; rooms which are
shared by Japanese and English students. Meals are taken together
and with all the activity going on, all the students eat heartily. The
week included excursions to Durdle Door and a long walk down
to Lulworth Cove, which is always a delight, as well as a visit to
Salisbury and its amazing cathedral.
Inevitably when it became time to leave, there were tears at the departure followed
swiftly by sleep as the minibus made its way back to London. Our sincere thanks
go as always to Keio University Junior High School for the invitation.
Philip Dobison (Consultant – Internationalism)
Joto Senior High School
(A Global School), Ookayama, Japan
It
is now the 4th time that Cranford
Community College has hosted a visit
by Joto Senior High School from Okayama,
Japan. These visits included a day when the
Joto students had the opportunity for a great
level of collaboration with Cranford students.
It started with “speed dating” between the
two sets of students, so that they could get to
know each other quickly. Joto students gave a
presentation on a topic dear to their heart such
as the environment, youth culture amongst other
topics. The groups then combined to tackle a quiz
on Japan and the UK, with Joto students paired
with Cranford students, followed by riddles
and language games for all. As usual, a great
deal of learning took place. After each activity
the winning students were presented with medals. The Japanese
group was delighted with the tour of the school’s facilities and could
only look on in envy at the amazing site that Cranford enjoys – this
reminds us always how fortunate Cranford is to have a sports field
and of course the Cranford SuperDome at our finger tips. All too soon
the group returned to their base, but everyone agreed it had been an
amazing day.
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Philip Dobison (Consultant – Internationalism)