Since 2000, the City of Joondalup has been a sister city with Jinan in Shandong, China, with the purpose of strengthening ties between the two cities.
In 2006, Woodvale SC partnered with the City of Joondalup to provide opportunities for students to learn more about the Chinese culture.
Under the partnership, students, staff and government officials visit Jinan regularly, the school teaches Mandarin and Japanese, and students often take part in after-school workshops including kung fu.
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READ NOWThe school received $60,000 as part of the NAB Schools First award.
Woodvale SC’s Asian hub co-ordinator Carmel Agnello said it was exciting and humbling to win the award.
‘It’s wonderful for us to gain recognition for all the work we’ve done since 2006 to build the Joondalup-Jinan sister city/school relationship in partnership with others in the college and wider community,’ she said.
Ms Agnello said the money would help to maintain the school’s language learning and Asian literacy focuses.
‘Since we are the only government school in the area offering a comprehensive Chinese program, we’d like to continue to grow our program,’ she said.
Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said the City’s relationship with Jinan had produced positive and rewarding benefits for both cities.
‘Woodvale Secondary College has made a significant contribution to the promotion of friendship, peace and cross-cultural awareness between the two cities,’ he said.
‘Over the past few years, many exciting projects have been launched and I hope there are many more to come in the future as we continue to foster this very positive sister city relationship.’