The Ambassador of China to the Court of St James’s, China’s top man in Britain, has visited Ballakermeen High School. His Excellency Liu Xiaoming, accompanied by his wife, Madam Hu Pinghua and other dignitaries from the Chinese embassy, had expressed a particular wish to visit the Douglas school because of its longstanding relationship with China, especially with its partner school in Liuyang in Madam Hu’s home province.
The Ambassador and his party were yesterday greeted by Adrienne Burnett, Headteacher, who introduced Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children, Stuart Dobson, the DEC’s Chief Executive Officer, and Martin Barrow, the Director of Education. Minister Crookall welcomed the guests with a short speech, before they were officially welcomed to the school in Manx by Daniel Quayle and in Mandarin by Kiffeny Zhao.
The Ambassador asked a number of questions about Chinese students in the Isle of Man, pointing out the huge numbers who choose to study in Great Britain, especially at university level. He assumed that since Ballakermeen was twinned with the best school in Liuyang, it must be the best school in the Isle of Man and said how happy he and his wife were to visit. Ambassador Liu also spoke of setting up a Confucius Centre for Chinese studies, something that has been planned for Ballakermeen for some time.
Around 20 boys and girls aged between 15 and 18 who have taken part in exchange visits with China were then introduced, and the ambassador and his wife spent some time talking to them and enjoying refreshments. The guests were then entertained by two school choirs and a solo performance of ‘Ellan Vannin’ by Bethany Magee. Various presents were then exchanged. The school was presented with a wonderful selection of books relating to Chinese studies, while the Ambassador was given paintings of Manx scenes done by Ballakermeen students. There were further gifts for the Minister and officials from the DEC, before the visit concluded.
Mrs Burnett said: ‘It was a great honour for us to receive this visit, particularly as it was at the Ambassador’s special request. We have long recognised the importance of developing relationships with one of the world’s most important countries through our partnership with the No.1 School in Liuyang. The prospect of a Confucius Centre here is very exciting and could lead to wonderful opportunities for our students. We greatly enjoyed meeting Ambassador Liu and Madam Hu, though it was a relief to discover that they spoke such excellent English.’
Photo L-R - Keith James, Deputy Headteacher; Stuart Dobson, Chief Education Officer; Kiffeny Zhao; H.E. Liu Xiaoming; Daniel Quayle; Minister Crookall; Madam Hu; Martin Barrow, Director of Education; Adrienne Burnett, Headteacher.
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