Griechenlandaustausch 2010

18.09.2010: Im Jahr 2010 feiern Wilhelm-Gymnasium und Gymnasium Megara das zehnjährige Bestehen eines lebendigen und freundschaftlichen Austauschs.

Anlässlich des Jubiläumsbesuchs der griechischen Schülerinnen und Schüler in Braunschweig, 6.-14. September, übersandte die Leiterin des Gymnasiums Megara, Frau Maria Tzei, folgende Grußbotschaft:

Dear students, dear colleagues, dear parents,

once again, we are very happy to participate in this school exchange, which has been taking place for ten years now.

In those ten years, many teachers and students have been involved, and both schools have been benefited. Because in those ten years, this exchange has proved to be far from a yearly routine come-and-go of teachers and students. It has become an exchange of ideas, of common experiences, of culture. This exchange has developed into a meaningful und fruitful procedure, though which communication, friendship and solidarity have been cherished and the message that is eventually conveyed is that our potential differences unite us, they don’t separate us. Throughout all those years, we managed to create a unique relationship and set an example for other schools to follow.

This very tenth year, we faced many difficulties; problems that had to do with the human factor (the air traffic controllers’ strike) and natural disaster (the volcanic eruption in Iceland). But, against all odds, we managed to carry out this wonderful procedure once again.

We wish and hope that this exchange will continue in the future as successfully, so that more people will be able to benefit from it.

Thank you!

Maria Tzei

Headmaster, 2nd Gymnasium of Megara

Die diesjährigen Austauschschüler, ihre Lehrer, die Gastgeber und Ehrengäste hat Herr Thamm van Balen am 7. Sept. 2010 im Rahmen einer Feierstunde begrüßt (englische Textfassung):

A very warm welcome to all our guests from Megara!

My dear students and teachers from Greece, I am very happy to see you here at our school in September 2010. No pilot strike in Germany or Greece, no volcano outbursts on Iceland, nothing crossed our plans and your journey to Braunschweig. In spring 2010 we didn’t make it, but September is therefore the better.

This visit is so very special as we celebrate the10th anniversary of our student exchange between the Wilhelm-Gymnasium and the Gymnasium of Megara. That is why we have two outstanding guests:

I am very happy to welcome Councillor Karl Grziwa, who is head of our city council. He came here especially to give an address on the occasion of this anniversary.

Moreover I am happy to introduce to you Mrs Sabine Campe, the head of the parents’ council of the Wilhelm-Gymnasium and the representative of about thousand families.

I also welcome our pupils, teachers and parents who take part in this year’s exchange visit who accompany the students to Berlin, Hannover and Goslar.

For ten years we have been visiting our countries. For ten years we have been learning about life and living in our countries and experiencing the differences and the many treasures we have in common. Students, parents and teachers have become friends, and many friendships still exist up to this day. Every year has shaped an outstanding landmark!

Those ten years must be followed by another ten extraordinary years. We want to celebrate a cheerful jubilee in 2010 as well as in 2020!

So I do wish this years’s exchange to become an exceptional event for our students and teachers. I do wish you to have an joyful time!

Gerhard Thamm van Balen

Headmaster, Wilhelm-Gymnasium Braunschweig