It was Friday morning on 23rd June, 2011. The Students of Year 10 at Devonport High School for Girls were gathered together in the school hall preparing for one of their most exciting days--Chinese Enrichment Day.

As a member of Peninsula Confucius Class, which is belonged to British SSAT Confucius College, DHSG has already had the experience of Mandarin Chinese Teaching for 4 years. It has not only set the Mandarin Chinese Courses for GCSE, but also organizes clubs for Chinese language learning as well as offers the activities relevant to Chinese culture for students each term.

This Chinese Enrichment Day was especially expected by girls. In order to let students make better sense out of China, James Trapp, Education Officer for Chinese at the British Museum, was invited to give an Enthralling talk about China: Tradition and Transformation.

Mr Trapp introduced the girls the rapid development of modern China with well prepared pictures. And he also showed students several artefacts sent down from the British Museum to make them know the charm of traditional Chinese culture. With his profound knowledge and encyclopaedic experience, he also explained how the traditional and modern Chinese cultures have perfectly integrated. Girls were quietly sitting in the hall and completely absorbed by the colourful impression which Mr Trapp brought.

James Trapp, Education Officer for Chinese at the British Museum, launched the Year 10 Chinese Enrichment Day at Devonport High School for Girls with a Enthralling talk about China

After Mr Trapp’s excellent presentation, girls also participated in other very enjoyable workshops which were ran by Chinese teachers from DHSG and Hanban, including Tai Chi, Chinese Cookery, Introduction to China, Kite Making, Calligraphy, blue painting designs on Plates, Chinese brush painting, Chinese music and Fan Dance.

Tai Chi Fan Dance

Chinese Music & Fan Dance

Blue and Write china plate painting

The students are learning how to make Zong Zi

Girls were so excited and agreeable having such a wonderful Chinese Enrichment Day. They began learning Chinese and Chinese culture with the greeting “Ni Hao”. And now they are getting closer by using their own eyes, hands, and hearts to observe, to touch, and to discover China.