Language News

Congratulations to Zac Tom: 3rd Place Winner in the 2025 Chinese Bridge Competition!

We are proud to announce that Zac Tom, one of our talented Year 11 Chinese students, has achieved 3rd place in the 18th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students – Queensland Preliminary Round, held on May 10, 2025 at Kelvin Grove.

The Chinese Bridge competition is a globally recognised event that celebrates excellence in Chinese language learning and cultural understanding. The Queensland Preliminary Round, co-hosted by the Confucius Institutes at Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology, brought together students from across the state to showcase their Chinese language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and performance skills.

This year’s theme, “Fly High with Chinese (追梦中文，不负韶华)”, challenged students to express their dreams and cultural connections through a combination of speech, a written knowledge test, and a cultural talent performance. Zac impressed the judges with his eloquent speech, strong grasp of Chinese culture, and engaging talent presentation, earning him a well-deserved place among the top three contestants in Queensland.

This achievement is a testament to Zac’s hard work, commitment to language learning, and passion for Chinese culture. It also highlights the strength of our school’s Chinese program and the dedication of our language staff.

A huge thank you to Mrs Cham, Zac’s Chinese teacher, whose expert guidance and encouragement throughout the preparation process played a crucial role in his success. Her continued support has been instrumental in helping our students pursue excellence and confidence on the state and national stage.

Zac’s outstanding result places him among Queensland’s finest young Chinese language learners, and we couldn’t be prouder. Congratulations, Zac – your school community celebrates with you!

The Gap SHS Builds Global Connections through BRIDGE Program

We are proud to announce that The Gap State High School has been selected to participate in the prestigious 2025 ASEAN-Australia BRIDGE School Partnership Program. This exciting initiative, supported by the Australian Government and the Asia Education Foundation, connects Australian schools with partner schools in Southeast Asia to foster long-term international collaboration.

Our partner school is SMK Raja Shahriman in Malaysia, and we are delighted to be working with Ms Jamie Ashwini Pragasam, an experienced English language teacher with a strong passion for cross-cultural learning and student engagement. Representing The Gap SHS is Mr Yeong Gwon, our dedicated Chinese language teacher, who is committed to fostering mutual understanding and enhancing global competencies among students.

Together, we have developed an engagement plan that outlines a shared approach to effective and sustainable collaboration. This plan anticipates potential challenges and identifies solutions, as well as possible topics for joint projects. Our main goals are to:

• Identify and implement digital tools that enhance student engagement and motivation in language learning, measured by participation and feedback.
• Foster a collaborative partnership through joint activities that promote global citizenship and intercultural understanding.

What’s Happening?

Throughout the year, both schools will participate in a range of exciting activities, including:

• Teacher-to-teacher online meetings to co-design classroom projects and prepare for an in-person school visit in July.
• Student video conferencing sessions where students will introduce themselves, explore cultural similarities and differences, and discuss language learning strategies.
• A school visit by Ms Pragasam and representatives from SMK Raja Shahriman in Term 3, during which we will host cultural exchange activities and collaborative learning experiences.
• Exploration and evaluation of digital tools used in both classrooms. Students and teachers will trial these tools, collect data on their effectiveness, and share insights through web conferencing. Students will also have opportunities to connect and reflect with their peers overseas.
• A visit to Malaysia in January 2026, where Australian teachers will travel to SMK Raja Shahriman to further strengthen the partnership through cultural immersion, classroom collaboration, and planning for ongoing joint projects.

Our first student video conference is already in the works! Students will take part in engaging activities such as cultural quizzes and discussions on their approaches to learning languages. 

This partnership goes beyond classroom walls—it’s about building friendships, nurturing global citizens, and learning from one another.

We look forward to keeping our school community updated as our journey with the ASEAN-Australia BRIDGE Program continues throughout the year!

Year 10 Chinese Students Celebrate Buddha’s Birthday at Chung Tian Temple

On 2 May, our Year 10 Chinese students took part in a vibrant cultural excursion to Chung Tian Temple as part of the annual Buddha’s Birthday celebrations. The event brought together students from over 18 schools across Queensland for a day filled with meaningful cultural exchange and hands-on experiences.

Throughout the day, students immersed themselves in a range of traditional Chinese activities, including Chinese brush painting, Kung Fu, Lion Dance, Tai Chi, paper art, and calligraphy. These interactive workshops offered students a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture and traditions, enriching their language studies with real-world cultural connections.

A highlight of the day was the opportunity to enjoy a variety of delicious vegetarian dishes, reflecting the Buddhist tradition of compassion and mindfulness.

The excursion was not only educational but also an enjoyable and memorable experience for all involved. It was inspiring to see so many students across Queensland come together in celebration of peace, harmony, and cultural diversity.

Congratulations to Caitlin Hickey – Selected for Prestigious 2025 Shanghai International Sister Cities Youth Camp

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that our Year 11 Chinese student, Caitlin Hickey, has been selected to represent Queensland in the 2025 Shanghai International Sister Cities Youth Camp!

This prestigious program, established in 2009, brings together young leaders from around the world to build intercultural understanding and global friendships. Held annually in Shanghai, the camp offers an incredible opportunity for students to immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture, while developing leadership skills and broadening their international perspectives.

As one of the select few Queensland state school students chosen for this enriching experience, Caitlin will take part in a wide range of activities including Chinese language classes, traditional and modern cultural workshops, sports, arts, and city tours—all designed to foster collaboration among youth from Shanghai’s sister cities across the globe.

We commend Caitlin for her dedication to her Chinese studies and her enthusiasm for global citizenship. Her selection is a testament to her commitment, curiosity, and willingness to embrace new challenges. She will no doubt represent our school and Queensland with pride during her time abroad.

A huge thank you to Mrs Cham, Caitlin’s Chinese teacher, for her invaluable guidance and unwavering support throughout the application process. Her encouragement and expertise have played a significant role in Caitlin’s achievement, and we deeply appreciate her dedication to our students’ success.

The program will take place from 8–23 July 2025, and we look forward to hearing about Caitlin’s journey when she returns. Congratulations, Caitlin, on this outstanding achievement!