Greetings, everyone!
Welcome to the first Asia Exploration Carnival of SUIS Qingpu Campus, a co-operative learning opportunity supported by school and family. It’s an inquiry in transdisciplinary learning and cross-cultural understandings. It’s a celebration of humanity, culture and diversity.
We strive to broaden students’ international vision by exploring customs and cultures in various countries and regions around the world. With this in mind, SUIS Qingpu Campus will host an Intercontinental Carnival consisting of a series of “journeys”. Every year, the school will choose a continent as the theme, then encourage students to learn and experience local customs and practices through diverse means, such as class activities, comprehensive explorations, hands-on lessons, feedback performances and comprehensive reflections.
In the project-based learning environment of our Intercontinental Carnival, through a series of courses and activities, we seek to experience Chinese and foreign culture and foster international understanding. All the while improving bilingual ability of students, cultivating their international understanding and cross-cultural cooperation ability. Deeply immersing ourselves in the beautiful planet we share!
This year, we start from Shanghai and continue our Intercontinental Carnival. The destination is Asia. During the opening ceremony, the nightingales of our school choir sang a variety of songs from different nations of Asia as well as our new school song — Dream of SUIS. The music of Israel is a combination of Jewish and non-Jewish music traditions that have come together over the course of a century to create a distinctive musical culture. 《ZUM GALI GALI》it’s a Hebrew folk song with the chorus part sang in Yiddish. The lyrics reminds us how important is to work as a team, seeking for live in a society in peace. You can see the cutest little dancing elves of different grades from different countries across Asia. We enjoyed unique and stylish national dances. We were amazed at the calligraphy of our four young calligraphers who created a masterpiece for the ceremony, Legend of Asia.
Listening to the beautiful songs, watching the wonderful dances, we enjoyed the performances given by the hard-working children. They are all telling us different stories of Asia in this way. Two huge cuddly “pandas” walked out from the back of the stage to give us a friendly greeting. When they took off their headgear, the children found to their delight that they were our principals: Ms Sunny and Ms Selena. Then the two “panda” principals invited Ms Maxine, the General Principal of Xiehe Educational Group to give an opening speech. Ms Maxine also dressed up in Asian style today, and made a passionate speech for the children. Ms Maxine told us that 60% of the world’s population lives in this magical land, accounting for one third of humanity. It has enjoyed a long history and a splendid culture. Three of the world’s four ancient civilizations originated here and covered the three cold, temperate and tropical zones. To understand where our culture originates, with roots and soul, we can go further and higher!
Apart from the opening ceremony, our theme-oriented inquiry is also going on excitingly in every classroom. With the help of our teachers, students started thier inquiry project. Some chose Shanghai as their inquiry topic. Some look into fasinating Chinese Dynasties. Some can’t wait to find out the secrets of Thailand and Japan. We will continue to update all of our followers on the progress of our inquiry during the month of Carnival. As a rising star in world history, Asia tells a legendary tale told from the past to the moment now which we are so proud. Let us dream a Qingpu SUIS dream and start the journey with our children. We are looking forward to exploring the ancient civilization and future possibilities of the great continent of Asia.
Asia,
which means “where the sunrises”. Encompasses a vast territory with a long history.
It’s a continent with rich produce and beautiful landscapes.
It’s the birthplace of the four great inventions and the seed of Arabic numerals.
Asia, which is not only a brilliant starting point but also a splendid destination like the sun rising from the sea.
Come with us as we explore the beautiful and magical east, the variety of cultures and enjoy the legends of Asia together !