PYP Basketball arrives at Hanova - Written by Mr Paul Robinson, Director of Sports. Saturday, 16th April was a very special day in the history of Hanova. It saw our school host an interschool sports event for the first time since the opening of our new campus and sports building. Our visitors were XLIS who brought both a boy’s and girl’s team to compete in PYP Basketball.
There was a tremendous buzz of anticipation around the courts as the 4 teams warmed up with fantastic support from so many members of Hanova’s teachers and support staff. The girls performed outstandingly, showing fantastic levels of teamwork and individual ability to be victorious. The boys could not be faulted for their effort, but they were defeated by a very strong and capable XLIS team. Thank you to Mr. Dusan and Mr. Jason for their dedicated coaching of both teams and members of our High School Basketball team who are developing their skills by helping to officiate the games.
Our game against Dehong was unfortunately cancelled last weekend, but we are looking forward to the boys possibly hosting Dehong on Saturday May 7th followed by the final tournament at XLIS on Saturday May 14th for both boys and girls.
Secondary Language Acquisition Assembly - Written by Adele Yoon & Bella Yoon, Year 9 students. On April 1, the middle school department held its first language acquisition in the auditorium. Student representatives and demonstrated their learning courses in their second or third language. The program was rich in content, with this year’s Chinese New Year blessings, sharing the units of Chinese lessons, singing Chinese songs and finally videos introducing Spanish culture and students themselves introducing it in Spanish and English.
The two of us had the honor of hosting this event. It was our first time hosting the show, so we were very nervous at the moment. We were responsible for writing lines, communicating with teachers, and rehearsing them. This experience became very important to us, and we have had a huge chance to communicate with the middle school students, and we felt very rewarding. Chinese culture is vast and profound, and seemingly simple words of blessing contain abundant knowledge. And a video about Spain for us. It was so impressive that I learned about beautiful Spain and its famous places, all of us were ready to go for a trip!
Through this activity, we learned the significance of learning more foreign language, and if we learn one more foreign language, we can learn more about the culture, background and customs of the country, enrich our lives, and more likely to meet more friends.
In conclusion, this language acquisition meeting was very expressive, and I think it is very meaningful for our middle school students to be interested in the language of other countries and to know the culture of other countries.
PYP ‘Read Anywhere’ Contest - Written by Ms Jeannie Rice, Head of Primary. This year’s PYP ‘Read-a-thon’ was filled with a variety of special activities and ‘dress up’ days to promote excitement about reading. One interesting ‘Read-a-thon’ activity was the ‘Read Anywhere Photo Contest.’ During the April holiday, our Primary students were encouraged to find the most creative places to read. When they returned to school, we had over 70 photos submitted which have been on display near the PYP Library. The display has been a popular place for students to show off their special reading locations! Enjoy some of the most creative entries from our PYP students!
The Importance of Imaginary Play in the Early Years - Written by Ms Emma Tidmarsh, Early Years Coordinator. Imaginary play is when children roleplay and act out various experiences they may have had or something of some interest. They are experimenting with decision making on how to behave and are also practising their social skills. Children learn from experience: from what happens around them, from what they see, hear, smell, taste and touch. To absorb those experiences and make sense of the world, they need to be engaged in imaginary play.
You will find that the most simple of items found in the home will act as perfect props to spark the imagination – cardboard boxes, items from the plastics cupboard or drawer in the kitchen, a dress-up box (full of clothes, scarves, hats, handbags, shoes and wigs) or a “props” box (full of toys, objects and props such as washing baskets, pretend plastic flowers, old telephones, stuffed animals and dolls, blankets, pots and pans, crockery and cutlery).
Play is a child's way of engaging and making sense of the world. Imaginary play may appear to be an effortless activity, yet within it, young children learn practical life skills such as dressing themselves and how to cooperate and share with others!
Upcoming School Events:
- Wednesday 11th May: Upper Primary Sports Day (Years 3,4,5,6)
- Thursday 12th May: Secondary Football: Hawks vs. XIS @Hanova (provisional)
- Friday, 13th May: Secondary Sports Day
- Saturday 14th May: PYP Basketball: Final Tournament @ XLIS
- Saturday 21st May: Secondary Football: International Schools Tournament @ Hanova
- 23rd May – 3rd June: Y12 End of Year Examination
- Friday, 27th May: DP Graduation
