Just before the recent school holidays, 20 lucky Year 12 and 13 students studying Chinese went on an amazing trip to China. It was a unique chance to explore the country’s culture and language up close. They visited two of China’s most famous cities, Shanghai and Beijing, and came back with incredible memories, stronger friendships, and a deeper love for the Chinese language and culture.

In Shanghai, the students were amazed by the modern skyline of Pudong, with famous buildings like the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. A walk along the Bund showed a mix of old and new, with historic European-style buildings on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other. They also explored the peaceful Yu Garden and shopped on the lively Nanjing Road.

Whilst in Shanghai, our students spent a day at our new sister school, the High School Affiliated to the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (上海理工大学附属中学). They were warmly welcomed by their hosts and took part in cultural exchange activities, including a campus tour, classroom visits, and lessons on AI and paper cutting with local students. It was a great chance to make new friends, practise Mandarin in a real school setting, and get a glimpse of daily life for Chinese high schoolers. We truly value this growing sister school relationship and look forward to building even stronger ties in the years to come.

In Beijing, they stepped into China’s ancient past. They wandered through Tiananmen Square and visited the huge and impressive Forbidden City. We hiked part of the Great Wall, a challenging but unforgettable experience. They also enjoyed learning more about China’s rich history and traditions through visiting the Temple of Heaven and exploring the beautiful Summer Palace.

Every day, the students were able to use their Mandarin skills, whether they were ordering food or bargaining in the markets. Talking to local people and attending language classes helped them grow more confident and improve their Chinese in real-life situations.

The students came back with lots of stories, cool souvenirs, and a big boost in motivation to keep learning. All of them agreed they would love to visit China again sometime, and a number of them are looking forward to opportunities to study in China.

We’re really proud of how well our students represented the school and can’t wait to offer more trips like this in the future. Thank you to the Confucius Institute for funding our trip and to Fudan University for hosting us.

The students made a highlights video you can view HERE

Goodbye for now, China—zàijiàn!

- Miss Storer