Korean children visit Christchurch sister-school

11 February 2004

Thirty five children from Se Ryun Elementary School, Songpa-Gu arrive in Christchurch this Monday 16 February for a three day visit at Merrin School - their New Zealand sister-school.

The trip follows a visit to Christchurch’s sister city, Songpa-Gu in Seoul, South Korea by 23 children from Merrin School in April, last year.

While they are at Merrin School, the children from Se Ryun will attend classes, participate in a shared dinner, be treated to performances by the school’s cultural groups and take part in a school disco. They will also meet Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore and be taken on visits to the Antarctic Centre, Canterbury Museum, Corsair Bay and Ferrymead Historic Park.

Throughout their visit the children will be supported by four teachers and two parents who will travel with them from Korea.  After they are farewelled from Merrin School, the Se Ryun party will spend five days visiting other parts of the South Island.

Parents from Se Ryun have raised their own funds for the exchange, with students being home-hosted with families.  Another party of Se Ryun School children visited Merrin School in February, 2003. 

Next month, two of the Merrin School pupils, who went to Songpa-Gu will speak at the Sister Cities New Zealand conference (March 24-27) in Christchurch.  David Taylor, the New Zealand ambassador in Seoul, who hosted the Merrin School party while they were in Songpa-Gu will also speak at the event.

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