SUIS QingPu | The Dazzling Styles of the Americas, the Blooming of Dreams

America – The Land of Dreams

There is a place, filled with hope,

Vast and diverse,

Come and discover the land of dreams.

The Americas, where dreams come true.

The Primary School’s annual Intercontinental Carnival journey, where nature and cultures collide, sharing sights and sounds, has officially commenced! This year’s Carnival highlights the dazzling Americas. We will climb the Andes, also known as ‘the backbone of the Americas’, and relish Mayan culture. Come and explore together!

Let’s start our journey from SUIS Qingpu’s main lobby! There you will find yourself immersed in art installations created by students and their Art teachers. Enter the vibrant Brazilian blue butterfly gate and you will see a large ocean made of paper rolls, making you feel like you are on the Caribbean Sea. In another spot, a Chilean ecological estate built of fiber, and on the right-hand side of the lobby, Barama’s “Art of Mora”. Make your way to the lobby’s stairs to the 2^nd floor, and there to greet you before you take your first step, 19th-century totem poles – feasts for your eyes!

“Teacher! My favourite Carnival is starting!”

“Look! This is our banana-theme classroom! — Everyone come and try!”

“Wow, the Americas Carnival! I love football! I love Mexican food!”

We all feel impressed and full of joy when seeing groups of students on the campus dressed up with different elements from the Americas. With the expectation of the Opening Ceremony of the Carnival, both students and teachers prepare to start their highly anticipated Carnival journey! Let us step into the Americas’ most dazzling and mysterious lands, where dreams come true.

Look! Each classroom has been designed and decorated by parents and students. In every class, the students will be on their own particular journey of exploration. They will become classroom lecturers, searching and telling stories and local customs from the Americas. They will be keen to appreciate the exciting and diverse cultures of the many countries that constitute the two continents.

Grade 1 students lead us to experience the culture, art, food, sports, and customs of each country from the culture of Native Americans. They have authentic cultural experiences such as cooking North American food..

Grade 2 students prepare to enter the legendary, beautiful, and mysterious Caribbean region. Over there! Students will follow pirates and sailors on a voyage in search of coveted treasures! Here! You can swing freely to reggae music! There! You can be in the rainforest and discover the charm of the hummingbird! Here! You can even have a lift in a colourful vintage car and feel the collision of colours on the streets of Cuba!

Grade 3 students will be guided by their teachers to explore South America and ‘visit’ Spanish-speaking countries. Parents who have travelled to South America shared with students their experiences on those trips. The students will watch a series of South American documentaries, letting them see natural landscapes quite different from those seen on the Asian continent, and will explore diverse cultures like the lost Inca civilization.

Grade 4 students will take us on a fascinating journey into Central America. They will discover mysterious cultures like that of the Mayans, with their colourful architecture, hospitable people, interesting and rare animal species. They will also establish contact with Central American students to exchange ideas about festivals and celebrations!

Grade 5 students set off on a trip to Brazil in South America. Together, they will step into the resourceful one of the “BRICS” countries to feel the excitement of football culture, experience the enthusiasm of the Samba dance, and appreciate the richness of the Amazon Rainforest.

After more than a month of meticulous preparation, teachers from all our Primary School teams chose to create a story using songs from three famous musicals from the United States: West Side Story, Rent, and The Music Man. Through their story, teachers helped the audience feel the amazing emotional content of musicals, in which humour, pathos, love, and anger are communicated through words, music, and movement.

Music teachers Ms. Martina and Ms. Yuliya were the Opening Ceremony’s hosts. They not only entertained everyone with their remarks and speeches, but also danced and led different, fun games throughout the event.

Co-Principals Ms. Sunny Huang and Dr. Adam Neufield, dressed in American-style attire, first briefly reviewed SUIS Qingpu’s previous Carnivals with the students, and then declared the 2022 Intercontinental Carnival, “Open!”, lighting up the faces of all students and teachers.

The Longman English teacher team began the Subject Teacher presentations with a well-choreographed performance of the song, “I Feel Pretty,” which knocked on the door of the wonderful American musical story.

The Bilingual Subjects Team recreated West Side Story’s number, “Cool”. With it, they represented the tension between two different teams and the importance of controlling our emotions even in the most challenging moments of our lives, trying always to be as ‘cool’ as possible.

The Chinese subject teachers gave an energetic dance while performing the musical number “America.” Through their dance, they highlighted the experiences of Latin American immigrants moving to the United States, while showing with humour different perspectives on the same context. The Chinese teachers’ choreography was exceptional; their dresses transported everyone to the past in a great show!

The ELA and math teachers brought the famous “Seasons of Love” and “No Day But Today” to the students, reminding us that the power of love can resolve all kinds of conflicts.

The Parent Support Group wowed the audience with an incredibly choreographed number, the most energetic performance of the event, “Dance in the Gym”. With everyone following the mambo rhythm, the men and women in the parents’ group managed to get the entire morning audience swaying with enthusiasm!

Ms. Martina and our High School’s music teacher Mr. Michael Feigl performed “Tonight” together as a duet, letting us all ‘wander’ among the beautiful music notes filling the gym, and helping us appreciate every second of our lives.

The final number of the Carnival was The Music Man’s, “76 Trombones”. With it, all Primary School teachers got onto the stage, stepping in unison to the exciting music like a vast, happy marching band. A group of teachers, dressed in band uniforms, played clarinets and drums, giving the show a spectacular and magnificent ending!

The Carnival’s wonderful Opening Ceremony ended, and the dazzling Americas are set to sweep in! The following month will be filled with Carnival exploration activities and immersion experiences into the fantastic cultures of the Americas. Teachers, parents, and children will experience countless occasions together, to learn and enjoy the cultures of the Americas. Let’s ride on the ‘dream SUIS Qingpu Intercontinental Carnival carpet’ and start the most breathtaking exploratory journey through the Americas! We will see you next at the Carnival’s Closing Ceremony!

November 7, 2022 School News