Time Out & About: Spring 2017

Students, parents and staff at Dulwich College Shanghai all thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the school’s special lunar year event that took place across the college on 20 January, as students from every year took to the stage to perform unique variations that celebrated the start of the Year of the Rooster.

Year 2 students at Britannica International School, Shanghai recently got the chance to create their own candy bars at the Yangpu based Zotter Chocolate Factory. On 11 January, students tried a range of different chocolates and got a behind the scenes look at how the factory’s confectionary is produced.

On 17 January, Ingrid Kapteyn, dance graduate of The Juilliard School spent a day working with drama and dance students at the British International School of Shanghai, Puxi. Students participating in the school’s upcoming theatre production, as well as pupils studying drama from Year 8 to Year 13 all got a chance to learn from Kapteyn’s extensive performing arts experience. BISS Puxi currently has an established music collaboration with Juilliard, with Kapteyn’s visit marking the start of a new dance partnership.

Year 9 students at the Shanghai American School participated in a uniquely eco-conscious project when they took part in the school’s ‘Caring for Coral’ programme at SAS’s aquatic centre over January. Over the duration of the course they combined coral reef research with diving lessons in the school’s pool. But their lessons didn’t end in a swimming pool; the culmination of their course was a trip to the coast of Malaysia to collect reef samples and data for reef conservation organizations around the world.

Last term saw 35 students from Wellington College Shanghai’s Years 6-13 put on their lively version of the musical ‘Annie Jr.’ for the school’s parents and staff. Pupils enjoyed well deserved standing ovations for their renditions of the musical’s popular\ songs like ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’.

The first cohort of the Youth Innovation Academy at the Western International School of Shanghai concluded in January with a final ‘demo day’ of the innovative products that were designed and created by students during the programme. From October to Janaury, pupils were guided through the process by experts and innovators in the fields of science, design, art, engineering and psychology. The result? A mesmerizing showcase of creativity, imagination and technical skill.

From 18-25 January, Montessori’s Xuhui, West Hongqiao and Jiading campuses all embraced the new lunar year with teachers at each institute immersing students in Chinese New Year culture through songs, stories and handicraft sessions. Each campus also held their own interpretation of the Year of the Rooster through events; these included a fashion show, reading activities and even a Peking opera performance!

Students at Yew Chung International School’s Regency Park campus celebrated the coming Chinese New Year with music and dance performances on 20 January. The event was a great success, with pupils putting on a great spectacle that students and families all enjoyed immensely on the day.