The Shared Histories programme was initially created in October 2013 to raise awareness about the contribution of the New Zealand Division who fought on the western front during WW1 among young New Zealand and French people.
The success of its first phase has led to expanding this programme to include Australian schools, and thus reflect the wider historical context and the contribution of the ANZAC in the Great War. French territories of the Pacific – New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis & Futuna – are also invited to participate.
The intention of the programme is to provide students with the opportunity to discover the profound significance and impact of the sacrifices made by participating countries and territories through interacting and exchanging in an authentic context.
Students, Teachers, Support teams, Sponsors, Mentors and Community members have all agreed the following goals:
"By getting involved in Shared Histories I will:
- Create lasting relationships between France and New Zealand
- Understand the significance of World War 1 for my country and my community
- Find a personal context or connection with World War 1
- Explore ways to be actively involved in the Duty of Remembrance
- Recognise, identify and appreciate values of people in different times and different circumstances.
- Connect language learning with other learning areas
- Develop deep and valuable inquiries
- Engage in genuine social interaction
- Use my language skills as a tool to carry out projects
- Develop personal ways of responding to linguistic and cultural differences
- Communicate about the project using a range of media
- Collaborate to build a digital time capsule which stores precious memories and experiences"
If you would like further information and wish to get involved, please feel free to contact the Programme Support Team.