Makati High School selected as first BRIDGE School in PH
Last August 8, 2017, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones and Assistant Secretary Nepomuceno A. Malaluan welcomed Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Amanda Gorely, and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in a visit to Makati High School, the first Philippine partner school of the Building Relationship through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement (BRIDGE) School Partnerships Program.
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BRIDGE is a flagship program of the Australian Government and Australia-ASEAN Council to link Australian school communities with their counterparts across the region through collaborative learning activities using digital technology.
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Makati High School is the first school in the country selected to participate in the program. After some time, three other schools in the Philippines will become part of the network of 660 schools in Australia.
The purpose of the existing program is simple: to be able to connect Australia teachers, students and school communities with their counterparts across Asia to deepen intercultural understanding; enhance real life digital skills, and establish a community of multilingual learners.
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During the visit, both Ambassador Gorely and Secretary Briones participated in a video conference with Makati High School’s counterpart in Australia, St Paul’s College in Kempsey, New South Wales. Australian students asked about Philippine culture and geography, and the Filipino students asking about Australian culture, schooling in Australia, and life living down under.
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“Education has been at the forefront of Australia’s support to the Philippines. The BRIDGE program builds friendships through education and I am pleased to launch this initiative in the Philippines with Secretary Briones,” Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely said.
In addition, Secretary Briones believes that through BRIDGE, it will serve as a way to aptly characterize the Australia-DepEd relationship that will emphasize convergence of aspirations and commitment to achieve and enhance mutual learning among students.
What do you think about the existence of BRIDGE in the Philippines? Share your thoughts with us below!
This is a press release from the Australian embassy. Minor edits were made by Philippine Primer editors.
Image Source: DepEd Philippines
