The VLN Primary School is really privileged to have the support of the Confucius Institute Auckland to partner with us to provide Mandarin programmes in our schools. Last week i farewelled Katie & Dandan who have been working with us this year. They have been awesome teachers and ambassadors for their country. Our kids love them & we will really miss them 
The same day Chinese President Xi Jingping was also in Auckland having lunch with '400 other close friends at SkyCity'. Our MLAs got to wave at his motorcade as it drove by. The MLA programme is where the real China/NZ friendships are forged - as we welcome these young people into our homes and or classrooms. They get to enjoy a slice of kiwi life (everyone of them talked about gaining extra kilos in NZ) and we gain a better understanding of each other's cultures.
The government is promoting the development of Asian Languages in Schools with a contestable funding pool for schools. The first deadline for funding has closed but a second opportunity opens in 2015. The VLN Primary School will be offering Mandarin, Japanese & Korean classes online next year - take the opportunity to try it out with your students and consider how you can grow this in the schools in your area.
