Perth High students fly out to China

Nov 18 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THIS week a 20-strong party of S6 pupils and four staff set off from Perth High School on a trip to remember to China.

Led by depute head teacher Fiona Keatings, the pupils will experience the razzle dazzle of Shanghai before moving on to sample the comparatively rural delights of Chengdu, where a visit to the world-renowned Panda Research Centre is on the cards.

Once again – the first school trip went out in 2007 – PHS pupils will get a taste of Chinese culture with visits to The Bund and the famous Yu Yuan Gardens lined-up, as well getting as a firm understanding of how Scottish businesses are currently flourishing in the Far East.

In preparation for high powered meetings in Shanghai, the pupils video conferenced with a team from Edrington (the company behind Famous Grouse) earlier in the month.

They were practising their Mandarin and made the final arrangements for their face-to-face hook-up.

An invitation to the group from the British Consul General in Shanghai to visit the Consulate will be another highlight.

During the Chengdu part of the adventure pupils will visit the second century Dugiangyan Irrigation System and the Jianchuan Museum, and get up close and personal with some very precious pandas.

“Our trip is made all the more exciting this year by the fact it is a two-school event,” said Fiona.

“Three pupils from Kinross High School are coming along and I have been delighted by the way the Perth High School pupils have worked to make them feel very welcome,” said Fiona.

A huge amount of hard work has gone into raising funds and sponsorship to allow the trip to go ahead and the big hearted High School pupils are keen to share a bit of their good fortune.

They will make a substantial donation to the school they are visiting, Aba College, to help with rebuilding costs after the 2008 earthquake.

Flying the flag for Perth and Kinross the pupils will also hand over gifts which showcase the best of the Big County’s attractions, including a warm letter of friendship signed by Depute Provost Willie Wilson – the perfect way to give Ni Hao a Scottish accent!