American pupils celebrate special relationship with Sunderland

A GROUP of American school students have flown into the North East to spend time in Sunderland through the city's friendship agreement with Washington DC.

The pupils from Schools Without Walls arrived in the region on Friday 11^th October and will spend 10-days visiting the city as part of an educational and cultural exchange with Monkwearmouth Academy.

Taking place from Friday 11^th to Sunday 20^th October, the programme will enable young people from the two cities to share experiences, take part in joint education activities during the stay, and help increase cultural understanding among young people from the two cities.

Comprising ten students and two teachers from the US and the same number from Monkwearmouth Academy, the students will participate in a variety of activities, including educational workshops, cultural visits and community projects.

One of the key highlights of the visit thus far has been a formal reception with the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Allison Chisnall, on Monday 14th October. The meeting took place in the Mayor's Parlour at City Hall, where the students shared experiences, learned more about Sunderland's history and future, and the unique friendship agreement between the two cities.

Cllr Chisnall said: "It has given me great pleasure joining the students from both Monkwearmouth Academy and Schools Without Walls for this historic occasion.

"The young people were keen to learn more about the special relationship connecting their two cities and also posed a lot of questions about Sunderland - our past and present - which really got the conversation flowing.

"Through the unique historical connection we share, with Washington Old Hall as the ancestral home of George Washington - one of the USA's founding fathers - Sunderland and Washington DC have a unique relationship. Opportunities like these are key to ensuring that the relationship continues to blossom for the benefit of both our communities as we look to the future.

"Next year also marks the ten year anniversary of the Sunderland Shorts Film Festival. Sunderland Shorts, which was held for the first time in 2015 - inspired by Washington DC's short film festival, DC Shorts, all those years ago - and which is now a well-established event in the city's calendar."

"It has been a real pleasure meeting everyone involved, and I think I speak for the entire city when I say how proud we are to welcome them to Sunderland. We hope they have the best possible experience during their time here with us."

Mr Iain Buddle, Deputy Head at Monkwearmouth Academy, added: "We have run an educational and cultural exchange programme since 2009 however this year marks the first time the initiative has taken place since the pandemic.

"Our pupils have been super excited to welcome their counterparts from the US and are even more excited for the return leg which will see them visit Washington DC, experience an American high school and visit the White House where they will meet members of congress.

"The programme is a fantastic way for pupils from both sides of the pond to exchange cultures without a language barrier, while building on the special friendship agreement and historical links which bind both Sunderland and Washington DC."

During their stay, the students will visit several North East landmarks, including Durham Cathedral, Washington Old Hall and Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens.

They will also enjoy coastal walks along the city's twin blue-flag beaches and take part in joint lessons at Monkwearmouth Academy, giving both British and American students the chance to collaborate and learn together.