International exchanges began early in Faith's history as an extension of our language programs. As Faith teaches German and Japanese, it was natural that our first sister schools were established in these countries. In 1989 official documents were signed with Charlotte Paulsen Gymnasium in Hamburg, Germany and in 1990 with Seibo Gakuen in Hanno, Japan.
Because exchanges are reciprocal, students from these countries come in to our homes and classrooms, experiencing Australian life and culture, and our language students are selected for long, medium or short term visits to Germany and Japan where they improve both their language and their life skills, as they learn to deal with different ways of existence.
An exchange to Long Island in the United States is also offered to students. Although not a language learning based exchange, it offers students an opportunity to gain life skills, form friendships and extend goodwill between the two Lutheran Schools.
Faith's current sister schools:
1. Charlotte-Paulsen Gymnasium
CPG is a co-educational government High School in Wandsbek, a suburb of Hamburg, Germany. The school has students in Years 5 to 13. The duration of the exchange is negotiable and preference is given to students of German in Years 11 and 12. www.cpg-hamburg.de
2. Laurentius Gymnasium
Situated in the south of Germany amid the small community of Neuendettelsau and its surrounds, Laurentius Gymnasium is a Lutheran school with connections to a university offering courses for students wishing to use their gifts for service in the community. The first exchange between the two schools took place in 2004 and the relationship is currently evolving. http://laurentius-gymnasium.de
3. Seibo Gakuen
Seibo is a coeducational Lutheran High School in the city of Hanno, Japan, one hour north of Tokyo by train. The school is divided into the Middle School and the High School. Currently there are over 1,600 students in total. This exchange, with a duration of approximately 10 months, is reserved for students who have completed 5 years of Japanese at Faith. Special Japanese lessons are provided by Seibo staff for Faith students during their stay. Short term group visits also occur between the schools. www.seibou.ac.jp
4. Long Island Lutheran High School
Luhi, as it is commonly referred to by its staff and students, is a middle and senior high school owned and operated by the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Although not a language-based exchange, the experience is one of cultural exchange and all students in Years 10 and 11 may apply. Preference is given to students willing to host a student visiting Faith and who demonstrate high academic standards and leadership potential. www.luhi.org
Contact Michael Borgas, Exchange Program Coordinator
International exchanges began early in Faith's history as an extension of our language programs. As Faith teaches German and Japanese, it was natural that our first sister schools were established in these countries. In 1989 official documents were signed with Charlotte Paulsen Gymnasium in Hamburg, Germany and in 1990 with Seibo Gakuen in Hanno, Japan.
Seibo is a coeducational Lutheran High School in the city of Hanno, Japan, one hour north of Tokyo by train. The school is divided into the Middle School and the High School. Currently there are over 1,600 students in total. This exchange, with a duration of approximately 10 months, is reserved for students who have completed 5 years of Japanese at Faith. Special Japanese lessons are provided by Seibo staff for Faith students during their stay. Short term group visits also occur between the schools.