THE COLLEGE Shanghai www.dulwich-shanghai.cn
China Week 2013
10th Anniversary Edition
China Week Special Featuring adventures from: Year 4.......................Page 1
Year 5.......................Page 3
Year 6.......................Page 5
Year 7.......................Page 7
Year 8.......................Page 9
Year 9.......................Page 11
Year 10.....................Page 13
Year 11.....................Page 15
Year 12.....................Page 17
“ I felt honoured to sleep by the rays because it looked as if they were smiling at me all night” Maitreyi Namboodiri
“ We saw huge, magnificent fish and delicate petit ones” Nelson Lou 1
Year 4 Explore New Worlds at the Aquarium On Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th, Year Four arrived at the Shanghai Aquarium feeling massively excited for the sleep over. Many people brought cameras, hoping to capture and remember every single moment. The trip was not a disappointment. First we went into a room full of tanks full of brightly coloured fish. We learnt the differences between Chinese Alligators and Crocodiles as well as, aside from that, that the smallest shark in the world is a kind of dwarf shark. It can fit in the palm of your hand! Then we went into the Arctic section. There were some cute penguins and some slinky seals. We went to a humongous glass tank. In the glass tank there were thousands of stingrays. This was one of the places that you could choose to sleep. However, the highlight of the trip was the underwater tunnel. There was a fish section, a shark and stingray section, and a coral reef section. I chose to sleep in the coral reef section because I know that many fish live in coral reefs, and I would have a good chance of seeing lots of them. It was not yet time to go to bed we had some activities to do, like making origami Puffer Fish and experiencing the touching pool,which had lots of little fish in some tanks. The sensation was ticklish and I found it very funny. After we had put our pyjamas on, we went to the stingrays for a bedtime story about the ocean, before going to sleep. We all had a wonderful night in the aquarium, and the next morning we were all sad to leave. If you have not been to the Shanghai Aquarium, then I suggest that you go, as it is a wonderful place. To all the Year 3s that are going to go next year, it is the best place ever.
Finty Miles 4C
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Year 5 Climb to New Heights in Nanbeihu 11th September 2013, Year Five enthusiastically set out from school towards Nanbeihu to try to become better risk takers, to set ourselves higher goals and to try harder to achieve those goals. My team started by hiking, which was very tiring, but worth it when we reached a cave. It was completely dark inside; we couldn’t see anything without flashlights. One of my favorite activities was the Low Ropes. On it, one had to balance on a steel cable while holding two other ropes and then climb on a net bridge. It was the first activity we did that used a harness, and as I had never worn 3
one before I was very enthusiastic. Right before the first person started, my team instructor gave them a pipe with water in it to hold and the challenge to not let the water spill out. When it was my turn, my leader checked my harness, clicked the hooks in place, handed me the pipe, and told me I could go. I took a tentative step forwards, then another and another. After I’d finished the course, I felt like I could do anything. When it came time to try the Leap of Faith, I was practically bursting with excitement. However, when I put my hand onto the first
of my energy. Before I knew it, I was at the top of the rock wall, reaching towards the metal rod at the top. I hung down from it for one second, feeling happy that I’d reached my goal. Claire MacDonald 5G
handhold jutting out from the big yellow pole, my palms started sweating. I kept going, and it became easier. With my hand on the metal platform, I cautiously brought one foot up to it. I put my other foot on the platform and, gathering my courage, I inhaled. I jumped and grabbed onto the bar hanging down in front of me. The last activity our team did was rock climbing, which was the hardest as well as the activity where I tried the hardest. At first, it looked quite easy. When I started climbing, I realized it actually was difficult; as I brought my feet up one by one I pushed up with all 4
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Year 6 CONQUER LAST YEARS FEARS in Nanbeihu In Nanbei Hu, all Year six students stepped out of their comfort zones and tried to achieve their personal goals. They became more responsible and worked to be excellent team players. Year Six also learnt some real life skills. The Leap of Faith and the broken Bridge really motivated students to step out of their comfort zones and become real risk-takers. Students cheered and supported their teammates and friends. Everybody conquered their fears. In addition, Year Six students also became very responsible. Children had to remember to bring their keys out of their rooms, be on time downstairs in the mornings, manage their time and make sure they had enough time to change in between activities like Raft Building and Low Ropes. Every student developed the attitude of a team player. Team building, team games and Big Foot helped. We had to learn to listen to each others ideas, consider them and make a plan that would make everybody happy. Skit Practice encouraged us too. The trip to Nanbeihu challenged Year Six with some important qualities-risk-taking, resilience and being an excellent team player. The Year Six team had fun and an exciting adventure - a school trip they would never forget.
Christina Cheng 6P 6
year 7 HIKE IN HANGZHOU The blazing sun was viciously relentless as we dragged our heavy feet up each and every taunting step, our worn-out faces glittering with tiny beads of sweat, our aching limbs begging us to stop, our minds pushing us out of our comfort zone, pushing us to go further. I had already desperately downed two warm bottles of water, and was now on my third. As I wearily looked back, I saw a stunningly scenic view with mountains which were gently rising and familiar, and a slowly curving snaky trail of narrow steps, littered with bouts of natural greenery on each side going lazily down the path we had just come across. This was definitely one of the biggest hikes I had ever been on. Below me were other students struggling to keep up with the highly – energized others. I kept thinking to myself as we trudged upwards. “How much further?”, though I knew I couldn’t answer that. Every once in a while, I’d stop and sit down, gulping down as much refreshing water as I could. Around an hour and a half later, my friends had caught up with me and we were climbing this enormous mountain together. As we pushed on, I kept hearing the annoying chirps of birds, and they seemed to be mocking us.
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We desperately wanted to sprint up those steps like lightning, but our legs had forbidden us to do so. So, seeing our bus at the top of the mountain, we walked proudly, others following. As we strode to the top, amazed that it was over. Amazed by our accomplishment. We are looking back, extremely proud of our hiking achievement, and are ready for anything China Week throws at us next year. Jasmine Knuppel 7DL
“ We’re on top of the world ... and the sun makes sense now.” Olivia Bemis-Driscoll 7DL
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year 8 create in Yaolin Nanbeihu was fun Hangzhou was great But Yaolin is the trip We really should celebrate. A five hour bus ride Started off the trip But it dampened no ones spirits Not one little bit. Team building exercises Came right after food They brought us together And helped set the mood. Rock climbing and high ropes 9
Were both good fun They helped us challenge ourselves And support everyone. The hiking was tough And in rocky terrain We learned why they say No pain no gain. Over the trip We learned how to collaborate And came back to Duwlich A stronger Year eight. Lexie Stinson 8MD
“ This China Week has taught us many things and we look forward to the next China Week in Year 9.” Daisy Law 8MP
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year 9 ENJOY VILLAGE LIFE IN Kaili, Guizhou province Students woke up to a brief breakfast, then a bus ride up into the beautiful mountain landscape, something they were able to experience up-close as they hiked between paddy fields to reach the village. The Miao villagers celebrated their arrival with firecrackers and tea before warmly welcoming Year Nine into their homes. What better way to repay this kindness than by taking part in community projects? Students were able to test a wide range of their skills, from construction and brick laying to teaching. It was a fantastic sense of achievement to see the finished flowerbeds and rubbish receptacles that would remain in the village long after the Dulwich students had left. Similarly, somewhere in Guizhou, a whole school of children now know the lyrics and actions to ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’. It was an amazing bonding experience. The two days in the village passed quickly, but the trip was far from over. There were a variety of markets to explore and even the chance to try out the art of Batiki (with varying degrees of success). The last night was movie night with all five classes having the chance to reflect on their experiences and enjoy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It was one of the best movies ever, Mr. Reich said. Possibly. The message of taking the time to look around you every once in a while, and trying to experience as much of life as you can, did seem to fit very nicely into China Week though. A brilliant trip for everyone involved. Joonwoo Lee and Ryan Zhang 9KM
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year 10 GET ACTIVE IN ZIYUAN On arrival in Ziyuan the groups started with some team building exercises and were then briefed on the week’s activities. Day one was hot and steamy, sunblock and hats were out in force. The groups headed off in three different directions; kayaking; rafting and farming; hiking and abseiling. Each day brought new challenges and some more spectacular scenery. The 60-meter abseil for those with a fear of heights required nerves of steel and a heart to match in order to climb the 292 steps to the start point. The 4 hour kayaking trip down the Zijang river was glorious. The water was warm and refreshing so falling into the water was something of a relief. The occasional fisherman broke the otherwise tranquil silence. All three groups thoroughly enjoyed their kayaking experience and were suitably exhausted by the end of the day. The hiking was made very challenging for some groups by the use of a ‘slightly faulty’ GPS device. It seemed that for certain students the north south, up down mechanism was very confusing and there was quite a bit of
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backtracking to do. This only helped to fuel even more ‘quality banter’. Lots of useful tips here for those thinking about doing their IA Bronze. Again, the sun played a part, and the waterfalls and rock pools were like arriving at a desert oasis, very soothing and cold like an ice bath. The rafting and farming were at the Wupai Guest House in a small village with an unpronounceable name, Chetianmiaozuxiang. It was very enjoyable to see the local farmer’s face as he inspected our work. He was clearly shocked at what an incredibly good job we had done. Day 1, weed clearing, day 2, digging and turning and day 3, seeding the field. It looked great and there were some really sweaty students with blisters to prove how hard they had worked. The rafting was particularly exciting, with a fore and aft guide on the boat the level 3 rapids would prove to be plain sailing, but everyone got a complete dunking and one or two, including Mr Truglio, found it quite difficult to hang on. All in all it was a wonderful trip. There were lots of laughs and some exciting activities. Mr. Jamie King, Head of Year 10
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“I was completely amazed at the physical abilities of the old men and women that I saw.”
“We participated in many activities which brought us closer to the locals and their culture.”
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trek TALK, year 11 in Beijing DAY 1, MONDAY: Bus rides full of singing and music followed by a hike by the Great Wall. Night dancing on the beach, camping in the cold and barely getting sleep.
DAY 3, WEDNESDAY: We experienced a true mix of culture and art on the third day as we visited the photography gallery in Caochangdi and took part in a scavenger hunt.
DAY 2, TUESDAY: Witnessed a miracle: 80 teenagers all awake at 5:30 in the morning, washed, dressed and tents packed away by 7:30am. I was definitely impressed.
DAY 4, THURSDAY: Hutongs were really interesting, they have great parking signs that Shanghai should have: vampire parking only, violators will be bitten.
Embarrassing moment. I met a man who said he was 76 but he could still do more pushups than me.
Amazing Race made scavenger hunts look too easy, it makes you wonder if you should’ve hit the gym before China Week. DAY 5, FRIDAY: Beijing 2013 was pretty fantastic.
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year 12 PROVIDE A HELPING HAND IN HAINAN If you asked any Year 12 student how this year’s China Week trip to Hainan was, you would most likely receive a (very accurate) one word answer: wet. If you asked them to expand their answer, they would admit that, though it rained most of the time we were there, Hainan was, without a doubt, a unique and amazing place to explore and experience! Whether we were hiking through the beautiful and luscious hills, sanding and painting a local elementary school’s fence (most of us may or may not have ditched the sandpaper and paint in favour of playing hide and seek with the loveable and curious kids), lounging around the pool or camping, we all stuck together as one, and most importantly, had loads of fun. Camping? Yes, this year, the year 12's went camping. And it was an experience that many people have certainly learnt much from, an example of this being the following: insect repellent is the holy water of camping. We got to cook our own dinner – consisting of a delicious, rainwater-filled (due to the constant rain) hot pot – and breakfast, learnt how to ration water and food, and learnt to appreciate our beds and bathrooms. We built rafts together, and though not many of them floated, we were nonetheless undeterred, and proceeded to test and refine our knowledge of physics. We also attended a TOK and CAS session, where we racked our brains, and tasted what these IB courses have to offer us. All in all, this trip could definitely be considered an experience that will not be easily forgotten by our Year 12 students, and one many of us (if properly equipped with mosquito repellent and sunscreen) would gladly repeat! By Matilde Masetti-Placci 12SS 17
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Want more china week Photos? Visit our website homepage www.dulwich-shanghai.cn for a link or use the following QR codes: Year 4:
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Year 6:
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Year 11:
Year 12:
The College Magazine is written and produced exclusively by the students, staff and community of Dulwich College Shanghai Š2013. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The views expressed in the features are individual and do not represent the views of Dulwich College Shanghai as a whole. We welcome any feedback to editor@dulwich-shanghai.cn