Rewi Alley’s birthplace in Springfield, New Zealand is located in the Darfield High School’s school catchment. 1997,was the 100th anniversary of Rewi Alley’s birth in Springfield and the Rewi Alley Memorial Park was opened in Springfield. Shandan Baile’s Deputy Principal Wang visited Darfield High School and a Sister School relationship document was signed. This was the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the two schools.
As part of the anniversary celebrations a national essay competition was held. It was won by Zannah Johnson a Darfield High School year 13 student. Her prize was three weeks in China following Rewi Alley’s footsteps. She says it changed my life. Now he and China hold a special place in my heart. Seeing the places where Rewi Alley lived and worked had a special meaning for me. I will never forget the ordinary sights of China: people playing Mah Jong in the streets, parents carrying babies and young children everywhere, the bicycles piled high with loads, noisy bustling marketplaces…
The next visitor from Shandan Bailie was Principal Wang who visited Darfield High School in 2003 and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Show while being home hosted by Principal Allison Rosanowski. At the Show he commented on the goods for sale that were made in China.
Other staff to visit from Shandan Bailie School included Deputy Principals Zha and Wang who spent time at Darfield High School, exploring the Malvern area, and were taken to Dunedin to the albatross sanctuary and to Queenstown and Wanaka.
Principal Peng has visited more than once. His most recent visit was at the time of the 2017 Rewi Alley 120th celebration. This time his visit to Darfield High School was on a Sunday and was hosted by Principal James Morris.
In 2003 Darfield High School hosted for twelve weeks Shandan Bailie’s teacher of Music and Physical Education, Mr Shi Lixin. He arrived in New Zealand, with student Stephen, at the time of the SARS outbreak and they spent ten days in isolation in Wanaka with Avis and Doug Hewson before returning to Darfield. Mr Shi made the most of his time to improve his English skills, to observe classroom teaching, to explore the local countryside, participate in the school’s Talent Quest, go skiing and spent a week in Timaru at Mountainview College with Principal Allison Rosanowski’s husband, Paul.
Lixen wrote: Darfield, not big, but it’s really wonderful. The people here are kind and hospitable. They are enjoying this place, because the air is so fresh, the water is crystal clear and there are various kinds of trees and enchanting flowers. What beautiful scenery it has here. I feel as if I am in wonderland.
Yes! Luckily, the great natural resource such as lakes, mountains and vast sea coasts allow New Zealand people the space they need to enjoy themselves. So playing sport is considered an essential part of a person’s life.
New Zealand people are very sociable. All things are so easy and comfortable.
Zha Pengu spent several years at Darfield High School from 2002. From Darfield High School he spent time at Lincoln University and ARA Technical Institute before returning to China. While he was at Darfield High School there were for one year, three Shandan students at Darfield High School. Qi Zhi Ye and Yan Na ( Anna) with Pengu accompanied the Rosanowski’s to Wanaka in 2002 and were amazed at the water in the lakes and the Clutha River and commented on how Shandan would love to have so much water in their district.
Other Shandan Bailie students include Wang Zhaojun ( Anna), Weijing Hao and Du Hao in 2005 and 2006.
The school with the assistance of the Christchurch China Committee were able to offer partial scholarships to some of these students.
Darfield High School’s staff and students have been fortunate to make several visits to Shandan Bailie School. The first visit consisted of three female Year 12 students, in 2002 was led by Principal Allison Rosanowski and her husband Paul. The students, Sarah, Victoria and Jessica, were privileged to spend time with English classes and answer questions and to play sports with local students. All were amazed to see the remnants of the Great Wall, to drive through the desert to Dunhuang and visit the Mogao Caves and the Buddhist statues. Climbing the dunes at Crescent Lake was another highlight. Ma Guohua was an excellent interpreter for the ten days.
In 2005, teacher Mrs Lesley Instone with her husband Geoff took two male and one female student to Shandan Bailie School. Tim, Glendon and Olivia returned full of praise for their hosts and the friendliness of the Chinese people, and with a greater historical sense of China. Mrs Instone took a pair of sheep hand shears to donate to the school farm. Mrs Rosanowski had previously observed sheep being shorn with very large scissors.
The 2007 group was led by two of Darfield High School’s Physical Education Teachers Ms Amy Tangey and Mr Jason Dickens. Adelaide, Rachel and Jennifer made up the student group.
Darfield High School’s Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Mr Marty Gameson visited Shandan in 2012. He is Principal of Hororata Primary School and hosted the Shandan Education group when they visited.
Most Shandan delegations have also visited Springfield Primary School. Springfield School was the school that Rewi Alley’s father was the Headmaster of. It is now on a different site in the centre of the village and adjacent to the Rewi Alley Memorial park.
The most recent student and staff visit was led by Principal James Morris in 2013. He was joined by students Nikita, Charlotte and Charlotte’s mother Tania. They were pleased to better understand the history of Rewi Alley in China and to see his efforts in building the Shandan Bailie School. The technology and skills taught in the school impressed the group.
In 2016 Mrs Allison Rosanowski was privileged to be invited to the unveiling of the Statue of Rewi Alley and George Hogg at the new Shandan Bailie Vocational College campus. It is a magnificent statue, inside the huge gates at the entrance to the campus.
Recent developments include the opening of the Shandan Bailie Vocational College in October 2020. Darfield High School’s new Principal Mr Andrew England began his new position in January 2021.
When the world is safe again for travel the relationship between the schools can flourish again.
