Continuing Woodham Academy’s recent international relations, a school from Miami, Florida recently visited Newton Aycliffe. The Michael Anne Jewish School initially became friends with Woodham Academy when the American Football team from Woodham played the Miami school in the 2009 World Championships in New Orleans. Since then the two schools have enjoyed a close friendship including playing each other at American Football twice and Woodham hosting the American students in Newton Aycliffe on two separate occasions.
During their time at Woodham, the students were treated to a ‘day as a British student’, following a British ‘buddy’ through their full timetable of lessons throughout the day. The American students also held an American Football coaching session for a large group of Wooodham students in their normal Physical Education time.
Although the American students were treated to a British school experience, the teachers also got in on the act. Lessons at Woodham were designed specifically to include the American teachers, including a lesson on hurricanes and tornadoes. The American teachers were able to pass on knowledge based on first hand experience.
Feedback on their experience of a British school was fantastic. David Fried, lead teacher from the Miami school, said “The day here in school at Woodham has been amazing. The teachers are so kind and dynamic. I just wish our students could experience this back home every day”.
