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Grade 11: Global Citizen Day Successfully Held on Chongming Island

November 13, 2023

On the morning of November 8th, Grade-11 students gathered with their suitcases, eyes sparkling as they loaded themselves onto the buses and set off to Chongming Island, ready to start the journey of Global Citizens’ Day. It was a good opportunity for them to get closer to nature and learn how to be a global citizen in the future.

DAY 1

Following the check-in at the dorms, the students gathered for opening ceremony and a welcoming speech by High School Principal Ma Feng. Students were encouraged to actively participate in the activities, be one with nature, build up team spirit, and befriend classmates they hadn’t gotten close to yet during the three-day camp-like event. Besides, Principal Ma also reminded them to pay attention to safety and help each other during the activities. Coaches planned multiple interesting activities to let students experience the wonderful nature around them.

After a fresh and delicious lunch, students were ready for activities! These included vegetable planting and irrigating, where students utilized the necessary tools to succeed in planting, and also rice harvesting, where students learned about and could experience first-hand the art of harvesting and tilling. These activities helped these juniors understand what it means to be a Global Citizen, working hard and understanding the hardship of farming.

As night fell, the students gathered themselves around a flaming campfire. They sat around the flickering flames and enjoyed the various student and teacher performances under the night sky, drawing an end to their first night on Chongming Island.

DAY 2

After a good night’s sleep in the dorms, students were ready to enjoy a second day of activities! Early in the morning, the students started their morning jog, enjoying the countryside views along the way. After breakfast, they went to the gymnasium to learn how to weave straw rope by themselves and make a thick and powerful long rope. Then a heated jumping rope competition was held. Each class took turns playing with their own grass rope.

Juniors were responsible for making their own lunches today, so each class sent out several representatives in charge of taking on this task. The representatives set out to a local supermarket and returned with loaded bags of fresh produce. While they were provided with basic cooking materials like pots, stoves, and the needed spices, classes showed unparalleled cooperation as students delegated roles and carried them out with gusto. While some dedicated themselves to keeping the stove fire going, others prepared produce and/or set up plates and utensils for the rest of the class. Through the hard work, there was laughter and joy, allowing students to appreciate the meals they generally take for granted every day while also establishing closer bonds with their peers.

In the afternoon, students cooperated with their classmates to compete against other classes in activities such as archery competitions, Frisbee games, and relay painting. Under the exciting conditions of competition, students established stronger bonds between themselves, giving their all towards a common goal.

Another exercise to help students learn the essence of being a Global Citizen was the event: “Leave No Trace.” This project aimed to remind people to protect the environment sustainably so that future generations may enjoy the same beauty of nature that we do today. In the evening, these videos were presented in front of the grade followed by a brief introduction lecture by a coach. The students showed their talents in the video and performance using humorous lines and exquisite special effects to convey the concept of protecting nature.

DAY 3

On the third day, students participated in Chinese culture-themed activities such as fan painting, Spring Festival couplet writing, window-grille cutting, and sachet making, all the while having fun whilst learning more about Chinese culture.

In the afternoon, the students packed up their bags and said goodbye to the island. The three-day journey left the students with unforgettable memories. In the enriching activities, they experienced the value of labour, were charmed by nature, and learned the importance of environmental sustainability, which will lay a solid foundation for them to become responsible and knowledgeable global citizens in the future.

(Written by 11(3) Norah Cen, 11(7) Angela Luo Pictures by G11 media group Supervised by Meijun Shi Reviewed by Qian Zuo)