Pao Highlights

In January, educators from the Dailai Museum of Time delivered an engaging presentation titled "Calendar: The Time-Recording Book" to third-grade students. This presentation guided students through a historical exploration of the calendar, shedding light on its evolution over time. Questions like "Who is the namesake of the English month of August?" and "Why does February have the fewest days?" sparked curiosity among the children. 

Students from the Theatre CCA staged a fantastic ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The crew worked tirelessly to make the show a success, meeting twice a week and often sacrificing their lunchtime breaks to prepare. The rehearsals drew upon every aspect of drama, from acting and directing to costume design, props, and lighting. The dedication and enthusiasm of the students was evident in every detail of the performance, creating a magical experience for everyone who experienced it.

The audience was awe-struck by the spectacular final showcase of the much-anticipated Primary School Talent Show. The event began with an electrifying performance by the band 'Seven', who mesmerized everyone with their rendition of the hit song ‘Monsters’, setting the stage for an unforgettable afternoon. As the show unfolded, the talent on display was nothing short of breath-taking. From entrancing dance routines to soul-stirring musical performances, the students put their talents on show with confidence and passion. The audience was treated to displays of sand art, scuba diving, and even heart-stopping extreme sports, including a live performance of BMX flatland tricks that had everyone on the edge of their seats. The dedication of all the participants shone through, making it an afternoon to remember for everyone present.

The ‘Lantern Festival of ORACLES’ organised by the Primary School PTA was a great success. Among the many activities included within the event were lantern festival riddles, stories from classic tales, oracle character games, the collecting of blessings, and the making of oracle-name fans, as well as ice dumplings.  This blend of cultural activities, interactive games, delicious food, and community bonding, created a festive and memorable celebration of tradition and togetherness for all participants.

Primary School held its annual Chinese Culture Week in the spring, with teachers from each year group preparing activities related to different aspects of traditional Chinese culture. In Year 1, the focus was on the Chinese zodiac; in Year 2, the diverse Chinese minority ethnic groups were explored; Year 3 delved into the traditional Chinese calendar and its 24 solar terms; Year 4 centered around Chinese tea culture; and Year 5 celebrated Chinese characters through readings, competitions, and the creation of T-shirts and lanterns.

This January saw the Hongqiao auditorium illuminated by the stage lights for ‘Aladdin’, directed by theatre teachers Madison Auch and Michael Jorgensen. On stage, more than 30 young actors and actresses, dressed in beautiful costumes, exhibited the results of a whole semester of exhausting rehearsals. Below the stage, a production team of 36 students, including assistant directors, assistant choreographers, props, lighting, costume and set designers, discreetly supported the performance and ensured its success. “Time and time again, what strikes me about this piece is the power and the importance of storytelling,” said Ms Madison about the choice of script. “Stories have the power to build empathy, to inspire hope, to teach and entertain us. Through stories we can put ourselves into someone else’s shoes and maybe, just maybe, grow to understand something about those whose stories are different from ours.”

On 23 January, the Middle School Varsity Boys' Soccer Team won this year's championship, with a 6-1 victory in the U15 final. The boys' varsity football team has had a remarkable year, topping the Division 2 league and advancing to next year's Division 1 league.

At the end of January, the Inaugural CCA Fair took place at the Hongqiao Middle School Campus. More than 40 exciting CCAs were on display, offering a glimpse into the activities on offer. The event provides students with an opportunity to carefully select their interested activities for the new semester.

On Friday, December 8, 2023, all Year 10 IGCSE Geography students, under the guidance of Ms. Andrea Hu and Mr. Peter Davison, journeyed to Dulwich Pudong to participate in a one-day Geography Conference. The event drew 111 students from six schools. Operating in teams, students were tasked with crafting and organizing a sustainable city. Throughout the design and planning stages, students tackled various challenges confronting the city, including natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and environmental degradation, alongside social and economic issues like homelessness, crime, obesity, and food deserts. They also concentrated on enhancing employment rates, optimizing industrial placement, and fostering economic growth within the city.

Pao School students exhibited remarkable leadership and organizational abilities. They adeptly divided tasks, completed their assignments with excellence, and demonstrated flexibility in supporting their peers. Notably, Albert Tan, Rosa Luo, and Tiffany Guo distinguished themselves among the ten groups and were honoured with the top accolade - the first prize.

On February 2nd, the annual Chinese New Year Celebration organized by the Student Government was held as promised. The Fun Fair entertained students, teachers, and parents alike. The bustling crowd exhibited many different types of Chinese clothing: Han Fu, Qi Pao, Long Robes, Horse-faced dresses, and even reproductions of many classic images, such as characters from Hu Lu Wa and The Journey to the West. Many international teachers also changed into Tang era costumes, adding to the Lunar New Year atmosphere. The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and student clubs lined both sides of the aisle with interactive stalls. Whether sampling candied haws and bing fen, volunteering for the marbles station, wriring Chinese New Year couplets, or making dumplings, everyone excitedly participated in the occasion. 

Inside the auditorium, a talent show, themed ‘Year of the Dragon’, drew much applause from the crowd. The Gu Qin performance was a special highlight. A performances of traditional comedy added further to the atmosphere of fun. The show culminated in a choral rendition of ‘A Night to Remember’, sealing the event with a tremendous performance. 

As speical guests to the celebration, five members from Dream Coffee Charity provided coffee for students and teachers on site. Dream Coffee Charity is an organization that provides employment training for special needs youths in Shanghai.