core sector communique

First Student Exchange Programme with Shida Fuzhong (Affiliated High School of Yunnan Normal University),Kunming, China and St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, Kolkata

For the past 152 years St. Xavier’s Collegiate School has been the torch bearer in the field of education –transforming students into persons of competence, conscience, compassion, character and faith, in association with teachers and parents, for building a better nation. Today as  we are confronted with a rapidly changing social and cultural environment, our focus, as always, is to mould students without compromising on the values of life. We have always encouraged our students to cross boundaries, explore new horizons and acquire enriching experiences true  to the Xaverian spirit of Nihil Ultra-Nothing Beyond.

St.Xavier’s Collegiate School, Kolkata is the first school in India to start a Student Exchange Programme with Shida Fuzhong, one of the best schools in Kunming, China. It is a co-educational institution founded in 1940 and has over 3000 students and 200 teachers.

 It is a model school for science and technology and also the national experimental school of modem educational technology.

The first batch of ten Xaverians went to Shida Fuzhong in May , 2011. They were accompanied by Fr. K. K. Devasy, Principal, Fr. Sebastian James, Vice Principal and Mr. Gabriel Gomes,, co-ordinator and Teacher in charge. It was an opportunity of a life time for our students to experience, unravel, understand and celebrate the commonalities and differences in the classroom and with the Chinese families. During the course of our ten day visit, the students realized that this programme is all about the people and not the place. It is about the human heart. The warmth and hospitality received from the Chinese families will remain forever in the heart of our young ambassadors.

The students and teachers of Shida Fuzhong will be arriving in St. Xavier’s  Kolkata on 11^th November,2011. The Chinese students would be attending classes and staying with our families during their visit. It would also be an opportunity for them to experience the richness of our culture and traditions. This student exchange programme is a small step towards building bridges of mutual respect marking the dawn of a new era between India and China.