In February 2009, 130 students from the Salesian Agnelli School in Turin visited London. 45 of those students met up with our Year 11 student leaders from Salesian College Battersea. We also welcomed two students from Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton. The visit followed on from our successful inaugural trip to Turin with Year 11 in June 2008.

Some of the group outside Westminster Cathedral

We assembled at Victoria with introductions and a blessing from Fr John Dickson, Rector of the Salesian Community. This was followed by an outline of the day delivered by Mr Dunne in fluent Italian. The day included visits to Parliament, Downing Street, The Changing of the Guard, The Monument and St Paul's Cathedral. The meeting provided yet another wonderful opportunity for the students to realise that they are part of a worldwide Salesian family. We received an invitation to revisit the Agnelli School this July and thereby develop further our Salesian International Student collaboration.

In January, Year 11 pupils, led by school captain David O'Neill, sent a 'Happy St John Bosco Feast Day' video message to the pupils in the Agnelli School and to all the other Salesian schools in England via the internet.

Mr Dunne also used the web to link-up with the Agnelli School in December. He had the pleasure of speaking to the Italian students at the beginning of their English comprehension examination. They were then tested on what he had told them. More web-based link-ups are planned for the coming months between Battersea and our International partner schools.

Thanks to Mr Kevin Regan for the above report. He and Mr Paul Dunne are assistant headteachers at Salesian College Battersea.