Carrick schools host students from USA

The teacher exchange programme is providing five participants from Anderson County, South Carolina, with the opportunity to spend a week at a local primary school.

Carrickfergus Model, Sunnylands, Silverstream in Greenisland and Whitehead are all involved in the initiative, which has come about through Carrick’s Sister Cities connections with Anderson.

The party, which includes Margaret Hicks, campus director Anderson University, has also met with civic leaders during a welcome breakfast in the Dobbs Room on Saturday morning and a reception last night (Wednesday) hosted by the Mayor, Alderman Billy Ashe.

The first citizen said: “I am delighted to welcome our friends from Anderson under the teacher exchange programme. We have hosted the programme before, we know they will have a fantastic time during their stay in Carrickfergus.

“I would like to thank the host families. The students have been going to local schools, getting experience and bringing their experience to Carrickfergus.”

Sister Cities International (SCI) is a global organisation that promotes civic diplomacy, peace and cultural understanding.

Since the two areas linked up in 2009, Anderson and Carrickfergus Baptist Churches have undertaken pulpit exchanges and teams from Anderson have participated in the ladies’ international football tournament in Carrick.

In March 2011, the borough hosted 13 final-year primary school teachers from Anderson University who also joined in Andrew Jackson Day celebrations.