On 8 December, SUIS Qingpu celebrated the Closing Ceremony of our 2023 Intercontinental Carnival. This year was Oceania’s turn. Our students in Grade 5 completed an exploration cycle of the entire Intercontinental Carnival series over the past five years, studying and celebrating each one of these five magnificent continents. During the month-long series of inquiry-based learning activities, our students conducted an in-depth exploration of Oceania – a magical and fertile region under the Southern Cross: from the biological world to phenological traits, from folk tales to outstanding personalities, from historical landmarks to architectural features, from cultural arts to sporting events. Let us now enjoy the final results of the brilliant Oceania Carnival – teachers and students have worked passionately to bring us colourful and cheerful performances. Let’s welcome them!
In this carnival-themed activity, Grade 1 students learned about of the animals of Oceania through music and dance performances. By imitating kangaroos, crocodiles, koalas, Hector’s dolphins, kookaburras and whales, students learned about the characteristics of these animals while performing their morphological characteristics to the beat of the music. Their comically charming performances made everyone unable to hold back their laughter while being filled with admiration.
Grade 2 students practiced one of three very different Australian songs. Geronimo was based on the famous Australian sport, Aussie Rules Football, rhythmically representing the movements of this fun sport. “Click to the Shears” is a folk song used by students to represent how lambs on farms can shear their wool without human help. Tabanaba, which means “Let’s Go to the Reef” was sung using the Meriam Mir language, just as the locals from Murray Island do. This rhythmic performance had the whole audience boiling with excitement!
Grade 3 students prepared a Fijian traditional dance representing the fishermen and women of the country; a Bush Dance based on dance routines from Central Europe representing multiculturalism in the region; and the song Tutira Mai Nga Iwi was sung in the Māori language, motivating all with its energy to keep singing and dancing with power. Hawaii is also located in Oceania. Such singing made everyone unable to resist humming along to the rhythm!
Grade 4 students were able to prepare 3 songs and dances from Hawaii: “He Mele No Lilo”; the folk song “Aloha Oe Take Care of Goodbye”; and the song “Pearly Shells” based on the folk song “Pupu O Ewa”. They interpreted different Hawaiian music styles through various performance forms. The passionate performances seemed to transport everyone to the summery ambiance of Oceania.
Grade 5 students prepared one of three songs: the New Zealand folk song Te Vaka’s Lakalaka with an enthusiastic and challenging dance choreography; the traditional Maori folk song Te Iwi E with swarm drums and melodious singing and dancing; and the song Moana’s theme song How Far I’ll Go, performed through singing accompanied by the ukulele. While they listened to Moana’s inner voice, they worked together to find themselves and bravely pursued their dreams.
While spectacular performances were being staged in the Grand Theatre, Oceania-themed tour party activities were in full swing in the classrooms. Students, with “Oceania passports” in hand, shuttled between various themed classrooms for different experiences and game challenges. Once their passports were stamped full with special seals, they could exchange them for Oceania Carnival souvenirs!
Students of all grades in our primary school explored and experienced Oceanian culture thanks to the marvelous celebration of this year’s Intercontinental Carnival, which not only led them to gain important knowledge, but also helped them to expand their international perspectives as well as enhance their artistic horizons. Through this month-long immersive and integrated learning experience, students became more competent at thinking, reflecting, and discovering new cultures, languages, and expressions. While the 5th Annual Intercontinental Carnival has ended successfully, we are already looking forward to the next fantastic journey with our students and teachers!