St George’s was proud to host a group of very special visitors to School yesterday – 9 award-winning student artists from China travelled to Luxembourg as part of a three-day trip through the Benelux region as part of the “France in My Eyes” youth calligraphy and painting competition.

The children – ranging in age from 6 to 12 years old – were chosen out of 7,000 participants between 4 and 23 years of age. The competition was organised by the Silk Road International Youth Talent Competition and International Youth Arts Cultural Exchange Activities to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between China and France. The young winners were given a special prize and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit Europe.

After seeing the Eifel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre in Paris, the children departed at 6:00am to travel to Luxembourg and visit St George’s. After a brief presentation by the group leader, Mr Peng Su, the children had the opportunity to show off their incredibly unique and impressive paintings. They were also able to take a peek at the Key Stage 2 Library, see a French class in action, visit a Year 6 class working on algebraic expressions, and visit a Design & Technology class in Year 5, where the students were creating their own Mars Rover Explorer Vehicles.

Primary Head Teacher, Ms Nuttall, remarked: "I was so impressed with the artwork produced by the competition winners. It was fantastic to see how they mixed the influences of Chinese art alongside French and European influences. It was lovely to see how welcoming our children were in St George’s, showing their work to the visitors, and attempting to share a few words. A true cultural exchange."

The meeting went so well that the group decided to present a very special gift to the School – the original pieces of artwork with which the children had won the competition! Everyone in attendance was extremely honoured; the artwork will be well looked after and will be displayed in School.

After many photos and much exchanging of gifts, the students said their goodbyes and departed for their next destination, Brussels.

St George’s would like to express its gratitude to the children and group organisers for their visit and would be happy to welcome another group of young painters to School next year!