We were delighted that in July we were able to welcome 3 staff from Islamabad Model college for Girls F 7/4 to Breeze Hill and Oldham. Mrs Shamim Mumtaz (Principal), Mrs Lubna Kousar (ICT and global partnership responsibility) and Mrs Farah Asad (Art) joined us for 10 days. Previously 4 visits by Breeze Hill staff to Islamabad had been made but this year for the first time funding came via the British Council and Breeze Hill which allowed us to invite our colleagues from Pakistan.

As you would expect the visitors did not want to waste any minute of their visit. In school they attended assemblies, observed lessons, worked with students in the classroom and had discussions with a range of staff about the English system of education. A formal partnership agreement was signed by Bernard Phillips and Mrs Mumtaz  to promote future links.

We wanted our visitors to have a taste of the north of England so they were able to take a walk in Saddleworth (with a fish and chip supper), visit Oldham gallery and Tommyfield market, see a play at the Royal Exchange theatre and get some shopping time in Manchester. Over the weekend they spent some time in York.

In the evening our guests had a range of meals including a trip to Bradford, visiting a staff member’s home and meeting the local community at a fund raiser for Swat at the Pakistani community Centre where they met Phil Woolas MP and Chief Constable Fahey.

The visit concluded with a presentation evening at Breeze Hill where, after a performance from students, speeches were made and presents exchanged before a final buffet.

The visit was a great success and promoted the partnership. We are now waiting for the political situation in Pakistan to settle so that we can plan the next visit by Breeze Hill staff