Primary School News

Dear Parents,

April has been a month full of growth, discovery, and celebration! We began with our Student-Led Conferences, where students proudly shared their learning progress with families, thank you to everyone who came to support. Our students then stepped outside the classroom for engaging excursions, applying their learning in real-world settings. Most recently, we wrapped up an exciting International Friendship Day (IFD) Week, filled with flag guessing, landmark explorations, cultural door decorations, and a wonderful parade celebrating the diverse heritages within our school community. Thank you for your partnership in making this April so meaningful and memorable for our students.

Student Led Conferences

The student-led conferences provided students with a valuable opportunity to share their learning with their families. During the conferences, students confidently guided their parents through examples of their work, reflected on their progress, and discussed areas they would like to continue improving. These conferences help students take greater ownership of their learning while building confidence, communication, and reflection skills. It was wonderful to see students proudly presenting their achievements and celebrating their growth together with their families.

International Friendship Day (IFD)

International Friendship Day is a special time to honor diverse cultures and share connections that make our community so vibrant. Throughout the week, students were involved in homeroom activities. They embarked on a global journey, starting with our “Mystery Teacher” and “Guess the Flags” challenges, and continued with famous landmarks and a Mystery Student activity. The excitement was built toward our celebration on Friday, April 10, where students were invited to wear their national costumes or cultural clothing, participate in a colourful parade, and explore food and games booths. Students also visited the beautifully decorated classroom doors, each representing a unique country, and students collected continent stamps in their IFD passport as they learnt from displays across grade levels. Thank you to all parents for helping us foster curiosity, respect, and friendship, values that unite us all, no matter where we come from.

Spring Excursions

Grade 1: Sun Island

Our first graders stepped into the natural world at Sun Island, where learning came alive through every sense. Students observed farm animals up close, noting the unique characteristics of cows, chickens, goats, and ducks, while also discovering where food really comes from by handling fresh farm ingredients and participating in a simple cooking activity. Throughout the day, children engaged their senses of sight, touch, smell, and taste, feeling soft fur, smelling fresh herbs, tasting their own creations, and listening to the chorus of animal sounds, deepening their understanding of the natural world around us in a truly unforgettable way.

Grade 2: Xingye City Farm

Second graders became young naturalists at Xingye City Farm, where they named a variety of animals, plants, and fruits while learning to classify insect diets as either carnivore or herbivore. Each student completed a simple booklet, copying key facts and recording their observations like real scientists in the field. Throughout the excursion, children also explored the different seasons and their causes, understanding how the Earth’s position relative to the sun creates the changing weather patterns we experience throughout the year.

Grade 3: Oriental Land

Third graders walked among history at Oriental Land, identifying statues of explorers and inventors from China and other countries while learning that people from different nations and cultures have all contributed to exploration, invention, and the development of societies. Beyond the statues, students observed plants, nature, and the natural environment, discussing the importance of caring for and protecting the land. Throughout the excursion, children recognized and used Chinese words and phrases related to explorers and inventors, including names, roles, and key contributions, as they discussed everything, they observed around them.

Grade 4: Guangfulin Cultural Relics

Fourth graders stepped back in time at Guangfulin Cultural Relics, where they identified and described architectural features from the Tang, Song, and modern eras, explaining how building materials and design reflect the culture and history of each period. Working in groups, students applied teamwork and communication skills during guided activities, while also taking time to observe and describe the natural environment and seasonal changes visible from the site, connecting human history with the living world around it.

Grade 5: Shanghai Auto Museum

Fifth graders explored the past and future of transportation at the Shanghai Auto Museum, comparing traditional fuel-powered vehicles with new energy vehicles and understanding the environmental advantages of the latter. Students practiced identifying and interpreting familiar symbols found throughout the museum, from dashboard warning lights to charging icon, while also naming three key milestones in the history of automobiles and their representative car models, from Karl Benz’s first Motorwagen to today’s electric vehicles.

Grade 6: Guangfulin Cultural Relics

Sixth graders became young historians and preservationists at Guangfulin Cultural Relics, exploring the origins of ancient Shanghai and comparing early civilizations to understand how different cultures developed and changed over time. Most impressively, students analyzed innovative solutions in heritage preservation, examining how the site uses underwater archaeology and elevated walkways to protect ancient relics while still allowing visitors to experience them, connecting the past directly to the challenges of the present.

End of Year Exams for Grades 4-6

A quick reminder that EOY Examinations for Grades 4–6 will run from May 20th to May 28th, covering English, Mathematics, Science, and Chinese. The Table of Specifications (TOS) has been shared to help guide revision. To support your child: review the TOS together, encourage active revision (practice questions, summaries, teach-backs), and keep a healthy balance of rest, meals, and breaks. Students who joined after Chinese New Year will take the exams, but scores will not appear on their year-end report. As always, please remind your child to ask their subject teachers any questions beforehand.