Australian Ambassador visit first ‘Bridge’ School

Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones visit Makati High School, the first Philippine partner through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement (Bridge) School Partnerships Program.

Australian Government and AustraliaASEAN Council to link Australian school communities with their counterparts across the region through collaborative learning activities using digital technology.

“Education has been in the forefront The Bridge program builds friendships through education and I am pleased to launch this initiative in the Philippines with Secretary Briones,” Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely said.

history of productive engagement between the Australian government and DepEd towards the continuous and access in the Philippines. “This new program with Australia, Bridge, aptly characterize the Australia-DepEd relationship—it is a two-way partnership that emphasizes convergence of aspirations and commitment to mutual learning,” Secretary Briones remarked.

Makati High School is the first school in the Philippines selected for the program. Three other schools in the Philippines will become part of the network of 660 schools in Australia and across Asia linking 985 teachers and over 100,000 students.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has described the Bridge school partnerships as “fostering understanding and friendship between the leaders of the future.”

connect Australia teachers, students and school communities with their counterparts across Asia to deepen intercultural understanding; enhance real life digital skills; and establish a community of multi-lingual learners.

“I thank the Philippine Government for participating in the Bridge program. and Filipino students to share experiences and build lifelong connections,” Ambassador Gorely added.

While visiting the school, Ambassador Gorely and Secretary Briones participated in a video link discussion South Wales. Australian students asked about Philippine culture and geography, and the Filipino students learned a bit more about school in Australia and living down under.

Australia is the largest bilateral partner in education to the Philippines and will invest $21.8 million (P856 million) in 2017—18 through its two major programs: Basic Education Transformation Sector program (Best) for the national level and Education Pathways to Peace program (Pathways).