Camilla’s online chat thrills Rustington pupils

Pupils talk to the Duchess of Cornwall on Skype from their twin school in Kochi, India. Pictured are Year-six pupils with form teacher, Kerry Dolan L47352H13

The Duchess of Cornwall held a conversation over the internet with the group of 15 year-six children at Summerlea Primary School, while she was visiting its ‘twinned’ school in Kerala, India.

She told them it felt like ‘home from home’ as it was raining in that part of India, and that they were probably ‘rather colder than we are here’.

Referring to her childhood in East Sussex, the Duchess said the Rustington children were in ‘a very nice part of the world where I was brought up,’ adding: “I know it very well indeed, so it’s lovely to catch up with you all and I hope you’re working hard.”

Last Tuesday’s royal encounter came during the tour of India by the duchess and Prince Charles.

Year-six Summerlea teacher Kerry Dolan helped to set up her school’s close links with the private Rajagiri Public School in October, 2012, through the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms programme.

“The children were very excited when they found out that Camilla was going to be speaking to them, and apparently she was very excited that she was going to ‘Skype’ a school in the UK,” said Miss Dolan.

“She was really friendly and the children felt very privileged and proud of themselves to be part of that group speaking to her.”

For the full story, see this week’s Gazette (Thursday, November 21).