School celebrate 75th anniversary of Newcastle’s twinning with Gelsenkirchen

English Martyrs Catholic Primary School in Fenham is taking part in an art exchange between with their new partner school, Rainbow School in Gelsenkirchen Germany, to celebrate Newcastle’s 75th twinning anniversary with the town.

English Martyrs Catholic Primary School art project

The project focuses on themes on friendship, teamwork, and unity to highlight Newcastle’s longstanding friendship with Gelsenkirchen and celebrate this new connection for both schools. The school have been supported by artist Robin Reza, originally from Gelsenkirchen, who is working with the children to create their artwork.

Each of the children will complete and individual piece of art expressing feelings of welcome using local landmarks, bright colours, and symbols. These will be combined to create one big piece to exchange with the partner school who are creating a similar piece.

Newcastle is a truly international city with a proud tradition of working with people, organisations and countries from around the world through formal and informal relationships.

Newcastle’s relationship with Gelsenkirchen began in 1947 as part of the post-war peace and friendship movement and is its oldest formal relationship. Activities between the two cities include school exchange programmes, joint cultural and community projects, Chamber of Commerce links and shared interest in developing service industries and new technology.