Chinese Immersion & Culture Program
Oberthur Primary School has embedded a unique and innovative Chinese Immersion Program from Pre-Primary to Year 6 since 2013.
This distinctive learning experience is the first and only Chinese bilingual language program in Western Australian schools. Students engage in the learning of Science, Measurement & Geometry, Visual Arts and Chinese Language curriculum through the delivery in Mandarin. All students in the program access the Western Australian Curriculum and Achievement Standards in the respective learning areas.
We believe this program provides benefits to students’ brain development, problem-solving and creative thinking skills and contributes to our high levels of achievement in past years. We prepare our students to be higher order thinker and learner. The school often looks for opportunities to integrate Chinese immersion with other learning and cultural areas to enhance students learning experience, such as the collaboration with Music and Visual Arts. Our school currently provides opportunities for students to further immerse in Chinese culture through Chinese dance groups, Guzheng ensembles and Chinese chess club.
Our Immersion Anniversary
Oberthur Group China Tours
Oberthur Primary School China Study Tour
We are committed to widening the educational experiences of our students in relevant and appropriate situations.
In 2004 the opportunity to take a group of students to China became possible. A number of parents supported this undertaking and the first biennial Oberthur China Study Tour, including 12 students visited Beijing. This arrangement continued for the 2006 and 2008 tours.
In 2010 Oberthur formed a Sister-School relationship with Xingzhi Primary School in Hangzhou. This large city is in Zhejiang Province, which has been in a Sister-State relationship with Western Australia since 1987.
During the 2010 study tour the group visited Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xi’An and Beijing in 14 days, with similar biennial tours continuing until the 2018 tour.
Tours were not possible in 2020 and 2022 due to COVID travel restrictions.
In 2024, the travel restrictions were lifted and the China Study Tours recommenced. A group of 44 Year Six students and accompanying staff members enjoyed an amazing 11 day tour, including visits to Xingzhi PS and another school in Hangzhou. The experience of visiting these four large cities exposes the students to the culture and long history of China, and the opportunity to use their Mandarin speaking skills while immersed in the ideal environment.
The study tours visit famous and historic locations and venues including the Bund and Huangpu River in Shanghai, West Lake, Terracotta Warriors, Tang Dynasty, Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Great Wall of China and more.
Last year another China Study Tour consisting of 26 students and 6 staff visited the four cities, and the 2026 Study Tour with 39 Year Six students will visit China between the 6th and 17th October this year.
Currently the tours are running annually due to the large community interest. It is intended to return to biennial tours in the future when the number of applicants returns to more moderate levels.
Oberthur Chinese Dancers
Oberthur Chinese Dancers practise once a week and perform regularly in various assembly items and to our wider community. There routines are not only memorable but emotive and well received where ever they perform.
Traditional Guzheng Lessons
The Guzheng is a traditional Chinese plucked zither with a long resonant soundboard and multiple strings. Guzheng lessons are conducted weekly and students regularly perform in school and at community events.