Learning goes beyond maths, science and English for Bacchus Marsh Primary School pupils, who are heading down new pathways with their sister school in China.
From prep all the way through to year 6, pupils will learn Mandarin as a second language.
Principal Ian Wren says learning a second language is important for students because it helps them engage with the wider world and opens exchange opportunities.
Mr Wren says the sister school relationship with Langya Road primary school in Nanjing, China, provides a great experience when students from China visit and stay with their Bacchus Marsh host families.
Now the Bacchus Marsh school has received a $10,000 grant from the state govern
ment to expand and develop its exchange program.
Mr Wren said the grant would help formalise the agreement with Langya Road primary and assist with ongoing student and teacher exchange opportunities and other initiatives.
Last year, about 20 pupils and their families from Bacchus Marsh visited China as part of a cultural tour, which the school hopes to run every second year.
Mr Wren will also be off to China in the next fortnight to speak at an international education forum in China.
Three other teachers will accompany him as part of a teacher exchange program.
“It’s an advantage for our school to share and gain resources,” Mr Wren said.
