Specialist Centre
SPECIALIST FEATURE NEWS
你好 nǐ hǎo to our wonderful community!
Happy Dragon Boat Festival to all! This Friday, 19th June, Chinese communities around the world will celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival (Duan Wu Festival 端午节). The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the four major traditional Chinese festivals, alongside Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Tomb Sweeping Day.
The history and story behind Dragon Boat Festival.
Beyond the exciting dragon boat races and the delicious zongzi 粽子 (sticky rice dumplings), this festival is rich in history and cultural meaning.
The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates Qu Yuan 屈原, a famous poet and loyal minister who lived over 2,000 years ago during the Warring States period in ancient China. Qu Yuan deeply loved his country, but he was falsely accused of treason and exiled by corrupt officials. When his homeland was conquered by invaders, he was heartbroken and, in despair, threw himself into the Miluo River.
The local people greatly respected and admired Qu Yuan. They raced out in their boats to try to save him or recover his body. To protect him from the fish, they threw rice dumplings (zongzi粽子) into the river. These are the origins of the popular international sport-dragon boat races enjoyed by people around the world and the tradition of eating zongzi.
The festival is not only a celebration of race, food, fun and culture, but also a time to remember the values of loyalty, courage, and love for one’s country, and it reminds us of the importance of honouring heroes and spending time with family and friends.
Inside the Chinese Classroom
Foundation students. Our youngest learners have confidently mastered reciting the rhyme Searching for a Good Friend, demonstrating accurate pronunciation and growing fluency. Students have enthusiastically explored the story, cultural traditions, and the important historical figure, Qu Yuan, behind the Dragon Boat Festival. They are also developing interest and confidence in writing numbers in Hanzi (Chinese characters) and applying them in counting activities.
Grades 1 and 2. Apart from exploring the story of the Dragon Boat Festival, students in Grades 1 and 2 have been busy practising and chanting a new rhyme-The Good Manners Rhyme. They continue to develop their Pinyin reading and Hanzi writing skills through targeted worksheets. It has been wonderful to see students putting great effort into carefully copying Hanzi stroke by stroke and matching Pinyin to the correct characters -a challenging task for these young learners. These activities help them develop fine motor skills and concentration while learning the language.
Senior Primary students. The students have been expanding their number knowledge through a new topic: “What is your phone number?” They are learning how to say a range of numbers and use new vocabulary needed for everyday conversations. In addition to using LanguageNut, students have also enjoyed learning through another digital platform, “Booklet,” to strengthen and consolidate their vocabulary knowledge.
The group activity “Let’s Rap in Chinese,” uploaded on Seesaw, showcases students’ clear pronunciation and accurate use of the four tones. Their raps are energetic, lively, and creative! Most importantly, students are showing a willingness to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the learning of a new language. Below is a clip from one of our Grade 5/6 Chinese learning activities that highlights the creativity, talents, and wonderful character of our students, while also reflecting the positive spirit of our school community.
Happy Dragon Boat Festival!' 端午安康
May happiness be like a dumpling cord, tightly wrapped around you;
May health be like a dumpling leaf, enfolding to surround you;
May bliss like a burst of dumpling fragrance, encompasses you.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and joyful Dragon Boat Festival!'
Monday 13th - Friday 17th July (Week 1) - NAIDOC Week @ MPRPS
Wednesday 5th August (Week 4) - Specialists Open Afternoon for Kinders
Wednesday 19th August (Week 6) - MPRPS House Athletics (change of date!)
Physical Education
2S: Leila K
For showing a great understanding of where to position herself for a pass during a 4v4 soccer game in our P.E. lessons. Great Job, Leila!
3/4J: Jack U
For an amazing effort as a goalkeeper during our World Cup soccer games in P.E. lessons, where he saved some strong and hard shots on goal! Awesome Jack!
Performing Arts
1B: Sofati P
For always showing respect and responsibility when in the Performing Arts classroom. Thank you for being a wonderful role model to others!
5/6C: Mia B
For being a wonderful role model of ‘engagement in Performing Arts’ - you engage with every lesson and Senior Choir rehearsal with respect and integrity. Amazing Mia!
Visual Arts
FE: Benjamin F
For demonstrating creativity and a love of learning when creating your Dot Day-inspired artwork. Amazing work!
3/4J: James J
For demonstrating creativity and curiosity when experimenting with new techniques in your clay landscape picture. Well done James!
Chinese
2E: Amy W
You consistently demonstrate excellent learning behaviours through quiet yet active participation. Thank you for helping create a positive Mandarin learning environment.
5/6 R: Srihitha
For demonstrating a love of learning through active participation, and a willingness to challenge yourself in Chinese learning. And thank you for being a wonderful helper! You are kind and amazing!
Science
FA: Harry
For your excellent effort in learning about and explaining different push and pull forces. Keep up the great work, Harry!
5/6JS: Jane
For demonstrating outstanding inquiry skills and scientific curiosity in the investigation of reflection, refraction, transmission, and absorption of light.
Warm regards,
⚽ David - Physical Education
🎵 Kate - Performing Arts / Visual Art (Foundation)
🎨 Sam - Visual Art
🐼 Huang Laoshi - Mandarin
🔬 Steph and Suzie - Science