Sister School Exchange with China:
This opportunity to form a Sister School relationship with PanYu ZhiXin Middle School, Guangzhou came as a result of Robyn Keeling’s visit to PanYu ZhiXin Middle School, Guangzhou in May 2014 with her agent, Shino. During this visit the Principal, Mr Zhang Xiongji invited Horowhenua College to bring students to his school in April 2015. Shino later came to stay with Robyn in November for two weeks which gave Shino the opportunity to get to know Horowhenua College and some of the staff and students.
China Trip 4 to 19 April, 2015
The following students and staff visited Guangzhou during the April school holidays. There were:
Alysha Gibbard, Cindy Jung, Amy Yip, Shivana Lucinsky, Naomi Hall, Georgia Floyd, Tameka Solomon, Mr Peter Cadle and Mrs Robyn Keeling. Students from PanYu ZhiXin Middle School will visit us in February 2016.
Background:
Pan Yu is one of three campuses that make up ZhiXin Middle School. PanYu ZhiXin Middle School (Primary and Intermediate School) was built in 2002, has 3000 students (co-ed) and is a private school. Nan Hi ZhiXin Middle School (Intermediate and High School) was built in 2000, has 2000 students (co-ed) and is a private school.
Students study at Pan Yu for six years. Class sizes range between 30 to 40 students. However, in an average Chinese school, class sizes would be between 50 to 60 students.
In China, University Entrance involves sitting one test. The results of this test determines which University the student will go to. How well you have performed at school becomes irrelevant.
2015 Programme:
We were hosted by Nan Hai ZhiXin Middle School for four days and then spent the rest of our visit at PanYu Zhixin Middle School.
Our programme included interaction with students both in the classroom during their lessons and out of class time; sightseeing in the city to cultural places; shopping; experiencing the culture through shows and visits to museums/temples etc; several parties put on by the Chinese students and more. Subjects included Music, Rapping, Sports and Fitness, Math, Traditional Painting, Calligraphy, Ceramics, Paper cutting and more. Our visits included Fuoshan Ancestor Temple, Shiwan Ceramics, lion dancing show, night cruise on the Pearl River, Shamian Island and Ersha Island, Guangdong Folk Art, Canton Tower, Chimelong International Circus, Hongxiannv Arts and more.
Here are a couple of comments two students made about their experience.
“Throughout this trip I learned a lot about the Chinese Culture such as how they live their day to day lives. I found the food really interesting to try such things as sea snail, spicy meals and traditional Chinese food like dumplings and Dim Sum which we all got to cook and try. I really liked how the students, teachers and our host families were really welcoming and kind to talk to. It was really fun experiencing classes at the two schools we went to, Pan Yu and Nan Hai ZhiXin Middle School. Both schools were really welcoming and accepting of us and we met a few students who we became friends with really easily which was really cool. I definitely recommend going on this trip. I met so many new people and tried foods I would never ever think of trying. It was just such a fun and exciting experience.” Georgia Floyd (Year 12)
“This trip was a huge cultural experience. I enjoyed participating . The students from both high schools and meeting awesome people I won’t forget. I was amazed by how friendly and passionate people/students/teachers are over there. One thing I learned from being in China was to come out of my comfort zone and try new things. Definitely one memorable trip!” Naomi Hall (Year 12)
This was an amazing trip for our students and a rare opportunity to experience life in a Chinese school and a Chinese home. We say a very big thank you to both PanYu ZhiXin Middle School and Nan Hai ZhiXin Middle School for hosting us in 2015.
We plan to make a return visit in 2017 and hope that more of our local students will take up this amazing opportunity. Our Chinese friends have issued a special invitation to our boys to also come on the next visit as our group this time was all girls. There will be an opportunity to host a student when they visit in February from Sunday 7 February to Saturday 20 February, 2016. If you would like to host a student during this time, please contact our International Department.
Robyn Keeling, Director of International Education
Article by Cindy Jung (Year 13)
The China trip – Sister school exchange with PanYu ZhiXin Middle School was a great experience. Time really does fly by when you are having fun. The two weeks spent in China gave us a great opportunity to exchange our New Zealand culture and the Chinese Culture. By interacting with the students at both Nan Hai and PanYu ZhiXin Schools we were able to exchange our culture and languages.
We taught them some English in English Communication and they taught us some Chinese in Basic Chinese classes. We even learnt how to write some Chinese characters! Difficult? Kinda but a nice challenge. All the students and teachers were very friendly and welcoming. Many coming up and saying “Hi, What’s your name?”
There were not many culture shocks for me as I have been to China before but I still find the squat toilets a bit hard to adapt to. By staying at my host family’s house I was able to interact with the family and experience how they would carry out a normal day in the weekend. (We stayed at school during the week).
They treated me like their own daughter. I couldn’t have asked for more. What I found awesome was that my buddy’s name was Cindy too!
My favourite part of the trip would have to be going to watch the Lion dance which I thought was pretty talented as they were jumping from little platforms on a pole to another, holding up a lion costume. Also going on a 90 degree rollercoaster with Amy and Alysa at the Chimelong Paradise Park. The couple of parties held at Nan Hai were pretty fun. It wasn’t drinking or partying but old fashioned games like musical chairs and pin the tail on the rabbit, not donkey due to Easter. Apart from the mosquitoes, giving us annoying bites and the squat toilets, the trip was great fun. The group together gave us another perspective to look at things instead of individually. With the awesome teachers on the trip, Mrs Keeling and Mr Cadle. The trip cannot be forgotten.
Cindy Jung (Year 13)
Article by Tameka Solomon (Year 12)
I would like to thank Mrs Keeling for giving me the opportunity to go to China and also Pan Yu ZhiXin Middle School and Nan Hai High School for being such great hosts for the seven students that went from our College. I think the students at the high schools were all very friendly and easy to get along with and start conversations with. The teachers and staff were all so lovely and made us feel so welcome while we were at their schools. I enjoyed joining in and participating in activities with the students. China is very different to New Zealand but I think going to China was a great opportunity to learn about another culture and their everyday lives.
Tameka Solomon (Year 12)