The Italian connection at Alsop High

Alsop High School recently hosted a group of Italian school children as part of their friendship with the Scuola Primaria Don Milani in Modena. The young people were welcomed to Liverpool at a special welcome assembly in the presence of The Right Worshipful, The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Mary Rasmussen.

Students from Alsop High School, Arnot St Mary CE Primary and Kirkdale St Lawrence CE Primary schools organised the special assembly at Walton Parish Church. During the assembly, students spoke about their communities, their schools and their desire to “Be the change they want to see.”

Students from Arnot St Mary CE School performed several musical pieces, accompanied by musicians from their school orchestra. The young people from Modena reciprocated and sang a rendition of The Beatles song Yellow Submarine and Il Viaggio, The Journey.

After the welcome, the young people had a tour of Alsop High School. They were served traditional lunch consisting of fish and chips followed by apple pie and cream.

The young people then experienced a lesson in a British school. The day concluded with a visit to the school library for tea, served in china cups. As the students drank their Earl Grey tea, the school librarian read a story, which was interpreted by Ms Franca Gambari, a teacher from Don Milani School.

Teachers from the school had previously visited Alsop in 2017 to learn about the award-winning FAITH 17 initiative. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their return visit. 

The partnership between the schools was maintained and Alsop students shared the films they recorded for collective worship. More recently, the schools have worked on the ‘Together We Can’ initiative.

During their time in Liverpool, the students had a tour of the Anfield Stadium and the Beatles Museum. They also walked along Hope Street and visited the Anglican and Metropolitan Cathedrals.

The young people also spent a day at St Mary’s CE Primary School, West Derby and met the students who they had met via joint lessons conducted over Zoom. An international England v Italy football tournament was arranged. The school PFA provided a fantastic buffet lunch.

Mrs Franca Gambari, who teaches in Modena, said: “Thank you for making our young people so welcome. We love Liverpool, not only because it’s a very beautiful city, but also for the values fostered here and testified. 

“Over the years, we have learned to know this international and ecumenical city and we are deeply impressed by its commitment to promoting the ‘Common Good’ principles.

“We are delighted to visit again and share activities with Alsop High School, Arnot St Mary CE School, Kirkdale St Lawrence School and St Mary West Derby School. We are so grateful. We, the teachers and pupils from Modena, will remember this visit forever. Thank you very much indeed.”

Mr Peter Bull, co-ordinator of the Together We Can initiative, said: “We were so privileged to host our Italian colleagues and a group of amazing young people. We greatly value these international bonds of friendship and we hope that the links with Don Milani School will continue to prosper and grow.”