Australia–India BRIDGE School Partnerships Project
Aaron O’Shannessy, Manager, International Programs, Asia Education Foundation
This October marked the implementation of the Australia-India BRIDGE School Partnerships Project, establishing eight school partnerships between the two countries.
A 10-day professional learning program was delivered in Sydney from the 16-20th October followed by a one-week homestay for Indian teachers with their Australian counterparts.
To further facilitate the program the AEF entered into two new partnerships with the Sydney Opera House and the National Museum of Australia. This enabled the school partnerships to take part in two innovative workshops:
Global Conversations by the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House Creative Learning Team developed an interactive digital engagement program, which allowed teachers and students from Australia and India to come together and participate in a series of live activities. These activities included a digital behind-the-scenes tours of Sydney Opera House, live-streamed performances direct from the Opera House stage and digital drama workshops.
Robotics Tour of the National Museum of Australia (NMA)
Teachers participated in an interactive video session with the NMA in Canberra to explore how to undertake virtual excursions utilising their robots to investigate the museum exhibits. Teachers now have the expertise to bring their students in Australia and India together via video-conference and explore the museum together.
2016 opportunities
Australian schools can now apply to be part of the BRIDGE School Partnerships Project for 2016. Two opportunities are available: