Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link

In late September, OVPA had the privilege of hosting the bimonthly meeting of the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link, which brought together teachers from across Hastings and St. Leonards. The discussions focused on the ongoing collaboration between schools and the Link, particularly on how Sierra Leone is being integrated into the curriculum. This includes incorporating the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals, teaching African history and geography, and showcasing the excellent work of our partners in Hastings, Sierra Leone.

Inspired by the Link’s emphasis on safeguarding our future, we continue to educate students about environmental conservation. We are particularly proud of the efforts of our partner school, St. Mulumba, in Sierra Leone, which has set a powerful example in promoting environmental protection.

We also celebrated the exciting news that Letitia Huggins, a teacher from Hastings, Sierra Leone, recently won the Best Teacher Award.

Looking ahead, the Link is actively pursuing grant funding to bring teachers from Sierra Leone to the UK in 2025. In the meantime, a series of local fundraising events is being organized, including a wine tasting and Christmas carols.

In the final week of term, we led a whole-class assembly celebrating and reflecting on the visit of Mr. Newell, Ms. Yates, and Mr. Bula-Edge to Hastings, Sierra Leone, in October 2023. This event provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the significance of our global partnership and to explore ways to incorporate Sierra Leone into various aspects of our school curriculum. It was a moment to reinforce our commitment as global learners and deepen our connection with our friends in Sierra Leone.

At OVPA, along with other schools involved in the Link, we continue to work hard to strengthen these valuable partnerships. The Link plays a crucial role in promoting cultural exchange and global awareness, broadening perspectives, and enhancing cross-cultural communication skills. It also prepares pupils for a more interconnected world. Additionally, the sharing of best practices between educators improves teaching methods and curricula across borders.

Overall, the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link is a powerful symbol of how global learning opportunities can enrich education.

Mr Newell, Miss Yates and Mr Bula-edge, Link Leads