ROBERT May’s School in Odiham has hosted its 12th German exchange with its partner school, Werner-von-Siemens Gymnasium.

The Berlin school sent 22 students and two teachers. They spent a week in Odiham to experience English school life.

Arriving on March 10, they were welcomed with handmade flags and banners. After a tour of the village, the German students spent time in lessons with their partners, and ended the day with a traditional tea party.

During the rest of the week, the German students spent time exploring the rest of the region, with trips to London, Portsmouth, Windsor and Eton, as well as enjoying a trip to Stonehenge. But the weather was not at all typically British; it was fine throughout the week, making the visit that bit more enjoyable.

The host families took advantage of the balmy spring weather to take their visitors on a range of outdoor activities, including bike rides, rollercoasters and trips to seaside resorts such as Brighton and Hayling Island.

One parent commented: “We are missing our lovely guest. His dad called on Thursday evening to thank us for giving him a wonderful experience.

“He told them the trip was the best and he wanted to stay. The boys have been texting each other and playing games in German and English.

“Hopefully he will come and visit us again in the summer holidays for a week. I really do think they have made a friendship for life.”

The Germans waved ‘auf wiedersehen’ after a final day using Powerpoint presentations to tell the Robert May’s pupils about their families, school and the area they come from.

The two sets of students will not be apart for long however. A party from Robert May’s will be heading out to Berlin in May.

The school is encouraging students and families who want to be involved in next year’s exchange to get in touch. If you want to find out more about the German pupils time in Odiham, visit misterfischer.net/odiblog-2016.