May 2017
Dear Parent/Carer and Student
Spanish Exchange Programme 2017/18
I am delighted to inform you that we are organising an exchange visit for students at
Ashlyns studying Spanish at GCSE. An exchange visit offers students an excellent
opportunity to practise their language skills as well as to experience first-hand the
way of life and culture that they are studying. We have been running this exchange
for a number of years and it continues to be a huge success.
The students from our Spanish partner school, IES Maimónides in Córdoba, will stay
in Berkhamsted from 22 June to 1 July 2017.
We would be very grateful to any families who are able to host a young student
(aged 13-16) for the period of their stay. Please note that the Spanish students follow
a very busy schedule during school hours with various trips organised during the
weekend by their teachers. Details about the visiting students will be made available
once we have matched your son/daughter with a partner provided by our Spanish
school.
The visit is meant to be a reciprocal arrangement so by hosting a Spanish student
this summer your son/daughter will be eligible to visit Spain shortly before the
February half-term 2018. This would be very helpful for oral confidence as well as
cultural understanding and awareness. Full details about the return trip to Spain will
be made available in the Autumn term of 2017; you will then be able to decide
whether or not your son/daughter will continue to take part in the second half of the
exchange as planned.
An outline of the Spanish Exchange, with further details about the stay and the
positive impact this will have on your child’s learning of Spanish, is provided at the
end of this letter. A Student Information Sheet, which provides us with the necessary
details to match students with an exchange partner, is attached.
There are only 25 exchange places available which will be offered on a first come,
first served basis, with priority being given to current Year 9 students who have
opted to study GCSE Spanish in Year 10. We will then open up this popular visit to
other Year 9 students, followed by other year groups, if space allows.
If you would like your child to take part in the Spanish Exchange programme, and
you are able to host a Spanish student from 22 June to 1 July 2017, please complete
the reply slip overleaf and return, along with the completed Student Information
Sheet to me by Friday 12 May.
Thank you for your support and interest. If you have any questions please do not
hesitate to contact me either by telephone or email to [email protected].
Yours sincerely
Lianne Shaw
Head of Spanish
Spanish Exchange Programme 2017/18
– Please return to the School Office, for the attention of Miss L Shaw
Student Name:
Form:
Please tick boxes as appropriate
I am willing to host a Spanish exchange student this summer
I have enclosed the completed Student Information Sheet
Signed:
(Parent/Carer) Date:
Spanish Exchange Visit 2017-18
How does the Exchange work?
It is a two- way cultural exchange with the Spanish students visiting Ashlyns in June 2017 and
Ashlyns students visiting Cordoba early 2018 (dates to be confirmed). Students are paired up
based on hosting requirements (ie gender) and interests (although this is not an exact science!).
Our students will have the opportunity to make new friends, learn about Spanish culture and
improve their ability to understand and communicate in Spanish.
What will the Spanish students’ visit to Berkhamsted involve?
The 2017 visit to Berkhamsted will take place from Thursday 22 June to Saturday 1 July. Their
draft itinerary for the visit is as follows:
Thursday 22 June - arrive
Spanish students arrive at Ashlyns at approximately 2.30pm. They will meet with their host
partners at the end of the school day, to travel home, where they will unpack and settle in for
rest of the evening.
Friday 23 June – local day
Spanish students will spend the day in and around Berkhamsted with their teachers, whilst
Ashlyns students are in lessons.
Saturday 24 June – visit to London
Spanish students will travel to London by train and spend the day with their teachers.
Sunday 25 June – Free time
Spanish students have a day free of structured activities to spend time with their host partner
and family. Spanish students are keen to experience the British way of life first hand!
Monday 26 June – Day trip to Oxford
Both sets of students will depart from Ashlyns via coach for a day trip in Oxford with their
teachers.
Tuesday 27 June – Visit to Watford and St Albans
Spanish students will travel via coach to Watford and St Albans for shopping and sightseeing.
Wednesday 28 June – Visit to London.
Spanish students will travel into London for more sightseeing with their teachers.
Thursday 29 June – Visit to Blenheim Palace
Spanish students will visit Blenheim Palace during the day. We will have a farewell dinner in a
local restaurant in the evening for both sets of students.
Friday 30 June – Warner Bros Studio Tour
Spanish students will visit Warner Bros studios for The Making of Harry Potter tour. All students
have the option of attending the Ashlyns Summer Concert (tickets must be purchased
individually).
Saturday 1 July
Spanish students will have a roast dinner with their teachers at a local restaurant during the day.
They will depart for the airport via coach in the late afternoon.
What will I have to provide for our visiting student?
There is no requirement to provide your visiting student with their own room during the stay – it
is perfectly acceptable to expect them to share a room with your child (based on gender), just
like any other friend. You should provide them with meals, including a packed lunch for their
daytime activities, and help them to learn and improve their English skills, and understanding of
British culture and way of life.