The children had an amazing first full day in China today. Many tried new foods during breakfast this morning and put Mr Palmer to shame with their ability to use chopsticks. We received a warm and beautiful welcome to Shanhu Experimental Primary School, where we were greeted by the headteacher, numerous staff and some wonderful children. Our children were the recipients of some beautiful gifts such as Chinese notebooks, knitted toys, artwork, cutlery sets and bookmarks. We followed this with a tour around their enormous grounds where the children played football, climbed in the outside areas and visited their school science museum. We were welcomed into a cooking class where the children made Chinese hotpot & soups, which they ate along with cakes, chicken wings, burgers, fruit and noodles. This was followed with a science lesson where the children used hammer dyeing to design their own tote bags. After lunch, the children engaged in a PE lesson where they played basketball and with some frisbees; finishing with an art lesson where they made hand-painted cherry fans.

After a busy day at school, we had some down time before going for a walk around the local area to take it all in. Overall the children represented themselves and school perfectly and we are looking forward to visiting two schools tomorrow. Ms Brown also wants you to know that she doesn't plan on coming back, sorry 6B parents.