Warragul and Drouin Gazette, August 18 2015

Students at Lardner and district, Jindivick and Neerim South primary schools are learning as much about China as a group of visiting Chinese students are learning about Australia.

The three local schools are currently hosting students from the Kangaroo Kids Club language school in Shenzhen, China, school as part of a sister schools relationships.

During the four-week visit the principals of the schools - Julie Kennedy (Lardner), Wendy Arnott (Jindivick) and Jennie Prout (Neerim South) and Sarah Watson (Kangaroo Kids Club school) - signed a memorandum of association outlining goals and activities the sister schools can share.

Ms Kennedy said the Chinese students were quite fluent in English and students at the three district schools study Asia and learn the Mandarin language as part of their curriculums.

She said there has been a lot of excitement at each of the schools as the students develop friendships, learn from each other and take part in a range of Australian and Chinese experiences such as crafts, computer activities, cooking, singing and writing.

And it has also been a great experience for the local families hosting the visitors, Ms Kennedy said.

She said building an international perspective and developing awareness, understanding and tolerance of other cultures was very important for the local children.

Mr Kennedy said it would be great if some of the local children could make a similar visit to China in the future.