Chinese deal for Bayfield

Bayfield High School has signed a partnership agreement with Hengshui High School in China which could see up to 100 senior Chinese pupils studying in Dunedin each year.

Many Otago secondary schools had partnerships with Chinese schools in which small groups of pupils would visit for short periods.

However, Bayfield principal Denis Slowley said senior pupils at Hengshui High School would spend two years at their school in China and one year at Bayfield High School, where they would develop their English skills and be prepared for study at the University of Otago.

Hengshui High School is a prestigious school in the Hebei Province, with about 6000 pupils.

Initially, the partnership would bring about 20 or 30 pupils to Bayfield High School each year, but the number could grow to 100 a year, he said.

Bayfield could accommodate and educate up to 50 of the pupils and negotiations are under way with other secondary schools in Dunedin to help pick up the projected remainder.

"It means there will be immense growth in culture at the school and also a small source of income for the school."

Hengshui High School principal Zhang Wenmao said the partnership would not only enrich the educational experience of pupils at his school, it would also allow his school to learn modern education management practices from Bayfield High School.

"This has been a very successful trip. It gives us a deep impression," he said.

Mr Zhang was part of a Chinese delegation which met Mr Slowley yesterday to sign the formal partnership.

The first Chinese pupils are expected to arrive in 2012.