What’s the connection between Coleraine Inst and the Cold War? Simple question, and simple answer: the People to People movement. Back in 1956 this organisation was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower of the U.S.A. In a bleak decade for East – West relations, Eisenhower wanted to encourage American citizens of all ages, particularly high school students, to break down geographical and ideological barriers through sharing their culture, and learning about others. Every successive President has personally supported People to People International.

Two student groups are currently visiting the British Isles, and on Monday and Wednesday last they were guests of Coleraine Inst.  Each thirty-strong party had just arrived from Scotland at the beginning of a week’s Irish tour. Mostly from Houston, Texas and from Amarillo, they ranged from current students to recent high school graduates and teachers from a variety of schools. The visits were co-ordinated by Mr Robert McGregor of Inst’s Senior Management Team, and on arrival the parties were welcomed by Mr Patrick Allen, one of the school’s Vice Principals.

Escorting each party throughout their visit was an eight-strong group of Inst junior monitors – fourth year students gaining some supervisory experience during the absence of the senior students on examination study leave. Daniel Hatcher, Stewart McKinney, Aaron Millar, Jonathan Murphy, Peter Kidd, Adam McKee, David Reid, Peter McQuilken, Robert McKinney, Adam Leese, Ryan Pierce and Andrew Richardson were impressive ambassadors for the school and the community, and created rapid rapport with the US students.

At the start of the morning’s tour the visitors were impressed by the variety of work on display in the Technology Centre, and delighted to receive special key fobs, produced using its state of the art laser-cutting equipment. After inspecting some of the Art and Design work submitted by GCSE and A level Inst students, they viewed the swimming pool and the large visual display of current achievements in the school community. The groups were most impressed to find a Year 8 class learning basic culinary skills with Mrs Amanda Cooper in the Home Economics centre – and delighted as she shared with them her experience of teaching in the U.S.A.

During a refreshment break, the parties were briefed on Coleraine Inst’s 150th anniversary celebrations, and introduced to the school’s unique Museum and Heritage Centre, by the curator Mr Joe Cassells. Following a group photograph, the morning concluded with a power point presentation on the daily life of the school, introduced by fourth year Inst student Jonathan Murphy. Four of the visitors, representing different schools, responded. Most appropriately, the visit ended with the singing of the U.S. National Anthem.