Lion Rock Term 2 2017 Vol23

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HONG KONG

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Term 2 2017 | Volume 23

Catch

theBEAT

explore Music's life-changing powers P9 0:20

-3:35

History

Up Next

Lyrics

TRAVEL SPECIAL The AISHK community shares its travel tips P13 ACTIVITY WEEK Relive the adventures with full recaps P19

MELBOURNE WORLD’S MOST LIVEABLE CITY

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” Saint Augustine Produced by the Development and Community Relations department FEEDBACK AND SUBMISSIONS TO:

development@aishk.edu.hk

FEATURES 4

7

MYMUN & AISMUN Conferences

Upcoming Events

Exciting events coming up in Term 3 5

School News

7

MYMUN & AISMUN

9

Catch the Beat

The powerful effects of music on development and the brain 13

5

Travel Spotlight

Q&A and student travel writing 19

Activity Week

A full recap of all the exciting Activity Week trips 29

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Activity Week

A full recap of all the exciting Activity Week trips

Sports Updates

13

Travel

Q&A and student travel writing

21

9

Music

The powerful effects of music on development and the brain

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Sports Updates

Sports updates from some of the biggest tournaments yet this year

THE LION

Rock

EDITOR’S NOTE

It is with great pride that I am able to report that the majority of content in this issue of Lion Rock is student written.

As I mentioned in my last note, this publication has always been compiled to celebrate the achievements of the stellar students at the school, and to me this issue marks the point where its raison d’être is realised.

The MUN, Activity Week and Travel features in this issue feature wholly students’ work. Whether written for curricular assignment, or as a report, little effort was required from this editor to prepare them for print. This is another reminder to me of the level of quality these students are capable of. Speaking of quality, it would be remiss of me not to mention the fantastic TEDxYouth@AISHK event (which we covered in the last issue) held at the start of this term. The event, organised by students, had the feel and outcome of a professionally run conference and was very well recieved by all in attendance. I personally look forward to the next time AISHK hosts a TEDx conference.

I hope you enjoy catching up on all that Term 2 had to offer, and join me in looking forward to a jam-packed Term 3. The event of the year - A Midsummer Night’s Ball is set to be an evening to remember.

Alasdair Ong | Editor

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL David Shirley | Head of Primary Howard West | Head of Secondary Welcome to the 23rd edition of The Lion Rock. It reads as a great snap-shot report of this term, with the substantial contributions of student writing giving it the wide appeal of whole school representation.

In trying to capture some of the activities, enthusiasm and fun of our students’ lives at our school, we may have missed some of the personal anecdotes and events that pepper the school’s routines. You may look to Dhanara, as well, to pick up on some of those regular stories.

The beauty of styling a term magazine such as The Lion Rock enables publishing within a theme, and this issue’s twin themes of music and travel are intriguing, as they are both enriching and capacity-building activities. They embed learning and promote growth and knowledge in an immersive way which makes the learning more vivid and permanent.

We continue to see great depth and sophistication in the range and quality of our music programs, as evidenced with many invitations from across Hong Kong for our ensembles to perform in the public arena. This work is lead and fostered by our enthusiastic music staff.

The sampling of the students’ skills was certainly seen in Performing Arts Showcase, ‘The Traveller’ on June 13 and 14.

What a thrill it was to see so many students performing their best to packed audiences.

Of travel, the school’s programming of experiential learning programs, which includes camps, trips, sports competitions, excursions and Activity Week deliberately strives to build exposure to varied cultures, extend resilience and independence and connect our students to both the local and international community.

The students invariably return from these travel experiences with tales and what was great and what was challenging.

But the recounting in school assemblies and forums always reflects the joy and the learning.

We hope you get a sense of these experiences from this issue of The Lion Rock. Happy reading.

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIRMAN Tom Corkhill | AISFL Board Chairman On behalf of your Board of Governors, welcome to the latest edition of The Lion Rock, which encapsulates the School’s achievements over the past term. At any given time, the activities within our School are myriad in both number and nature. However, Term 2 has been particularly illustrative of the impressive way in which AISHK continues to foster and galvanise the important, positive relationships which exist beyond our school walls.

Students have just last week welcomed the wider school community to experience their outstanding performance talent through the Performing Arts Showcase. The far reaching effects and benefits of music are explored further in the issue’s lead story.

Earlier in the term, students represented AISHK internationally at a number of sporting competitions through various associations. Along with managing their usual school workload, Secondary students planned relentlessly, reaching out Hong Kong-wide to invite inspiring speakers and attendees to our first ever TEDxYouth@AISHK event, held in May. AISHK welcomed a Vice-regal visit by the Governor of NSW in the same week our senior students met the Premier of Victoria at a key event, celebrating and officiating the Melbourne-Hong Kong relationship. The successful Alumni Reunions recently held in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney were another warm embracement of our extended AISHK family, members of which were only to keen to reconnect with students and staff alike.

This is a remarkable amount to take place in under ten weeks, and yet, is only a glimpse of the-day-to-day activities which continue to provide an engaging educational environment for students.

I look forward to an equally exciting Term 3 which will bring with it highlight events including “A Midsummer Night’s Ball”, annual Sports Awards and Valedictory ceremonies.

I congratulate all on a dynamic first semester at AISHK and wish you a safe and enjoyable summer break.

upcomingevents 19 August A Midsummer Night’s Ball

1 September PA Father’s Day Event

4-8 September Chinese Week

21-25 August Book Week

31 August Sports Awards (Auditorium)

15 September Valedictory Dinner

20 September Valedictory Assembly

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The Annual Careers Week took place in May, once again garnering professional speakers to share their expertise and bringing many tertiary institutions to our campus for the Careers Expo. Thank you to all volunteer speakers and those involved in ensuring an insightful and informative event for students.

Do you know who Agnes BadenPowell is? How about Ernő Rubik?

Parents, students and staff alike learned a lot at this year’s Images of Greatness exhibition – a colourful culmination of students’ research into key figures throughout history, to enhance their understanding of what it means to be truly ‘great’.

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NEWS FROM AROUND AISHK

SCHOOL WIDE NEWS

In June, AISHK welcomed a Vice-regal visit by His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC, Governor of New South Wales and Mrs Linda Hurley. Taking a School tour, starting on the Greenroof, The Governor and Mrs Hurley engaged with students in classes including Year 12 Mathematics, Design and Technology, Year 6, Year 1 and Reception. AISHK is most grateful to Governor Hurley for this opportunity and support of our endeavour to strengthen relationships through our NSW and Australian education connections.

On Wednesday the “Socksteenth” of May, Eucalypt held their mufti day complete with bake sale, sausage sizzle, and of course, students donning their wackiest socks!

Proceeds went towards our House charity, The Christina Noble Children’s Foundation.

Thanks must go to Year 6 and Secondary Eucalypt students for their efforts in organising this wonderful day.

Senior Design & Technology students attended the Melbourne Design Showcase at the Maritime Museum, where a Letter of Intent was signed to officially signify a Hong KongMelbourne partnership for Business of Design Week 2018 (BODW 2018). Students were lucky enough to meet Premier of Victoria, The Honourable Mr Daniel Andrews who mentioned AISHK in his address about BODW 2018.

Roaming the innovative displays, students met key figures in the design industry and tested out some virtual reality equipment from RMIT – VR being directly relevant to some of the students’ portfolios.

>>

AISMUN Conference

Cooperation in the face of Conflict: Combatting Intolerance with Acceptance 2017 marked the eighth annual AISHK Model United Nations Conference, and the third featuring external delegates. Taking place over the third weekend in May, this conference once again experienced growth, and welcomed over 160 delegates, chairs, and directors from all around south-east Asia and even Australia. AISMUN has come a long way from a small after-school conference with just 40 AISHK delegates, but has managed to keep the values and passion of the delegates constant through all this growth.

This year, the theme of our conference was “Cooperation in the face of Conflict: Combatting Intolerance with Acceptance”. This theme reflects the fact that we are living in a world where we see more and more division in the news every day, making it so important that we remember that we must set aside our differences and work together towards mutually beneficial solutions.

The conference started with a very inspirational speech by TIME Magazine’s Asia Editor, Mr Zoher Abdoolcarim. He referenced the tragedies that occur in Syria, and how we must look at the example of Syria when we think about our own values. These ideas were embodied by all delegates over the course of the conference, as we witnessed extremely passionate and focused debate and collaboration from all.

Whilst debating issues ranging from the refugee crisis in ECOSOC, the human rights of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar within the Human Rights Council, and the sovereignty of Kurdistan in the General Assembly, all delegates who participated in AISMUN displayed persistence and compromise, and worked together to create a myriad of sustainable solutions.

This conference would not have been the success it was without the hard work and dedication of the AISMUN Secretariat, Directors Mr Flak and Mrs Chan, our Admin team, our caterers, and the many others working in the AISHK administrative office.

Keep an eye out next year for AISMUN IX, where you’ll get another chance to participate in MUN here at AISHK! Jack McCorkell | Year 12H

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MYMUN Conference Buzzing with excitement for this year’s MYMUN conference, I walk through crowds of students from all over the world as they gathered in the atrium for a new year of debating, MYMUN XIV. Inhaling the various scents of excitement and adrenaline, butterflies start to form in my stomach as I prepare for my first conference, like many others.

This year’s MYMUN conference took place in Mont’ Kiara International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Schools from all over Asia took students to participate in this sensational event and to debate all sorts of world problems.

Thirteen committees were open this year and all of them debated on many pressing concerns to create resolutions for the individual topics. We debated issues varying from the nuclear missile situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in Disarmament II, to tackling the proliferation of drug trafficking in Southeast Asia in General Assembly I. An astonishing twenty-five countries and seventeen different schools came to the conference, including thirty-two eager delegates who departed from AISHK ranging from the secondary division. Four of our own students chaired different committees including the Advisory Panel, Environment II as well as Human Rights I. Congratulations to Wendy Liang, Edmund Sze, William Harding and Sarah Lin for earning the position of president in their respective committees. Further complementation goes to Alex Richardson, who won most improved delegation of Disarmament I, and Matthew Vermeulen, the most passionate expert of the Advisory Panel on the Question of East Asia.

After three days of intense debating, everyone was beyond exhausted, but with the feeling of satisfaction to have overcome another conference. The theme of securing stability was undoubtedly seen and accomplished throughout the conference, and it is evident that however inexperienced or skilled we were, we were all able to take away a beneficial learning experience.

MUN is an open community to all students wishing to participate. With privileges, such as traveling and learning about global issues, MUN is an invitation to the public speaking world. With the possibility to collaborate with schools all over Asia, MUN is a fantastic experience that allows you to improve your public speaking skills, solve world issues as well as make new friends!

Ines Freyre | Year 7H

BE ENCHANTED BY

Saturday 19 August 2017

6:30pm - Late

Grand Hyatt Ballroom

Embark on a night of mystical merriment in support of the AISHK playground refurbishment Visit midsummerball.aishk.edu.hk for table bookings and sponsorship opportunities

Relive A Night on the Nile Whether you are new to the School community or a regular fan of our events, there is no denying that the AISHK Ball is a highlight event not to be missed, with all efforts and proceeds in support of our School.

Occurring once every two years, the AISHK Ball is a spectacular evening, which brings together some 400 members of AISHK family.

Join us for a trip down memory lane to the unforgettable â&#x20AC;&#x153;Night on The Nileâ&#x20AC;? in 2015 which saw Mummies, Gods and Queens alike celebrate under one roof!

Term 2 2017 | VOL.23 | www.aishk.edu.hk

CatchtheBEAT

New revelations in neuroscience lead us to explore Music's

By Graeme Tyler and Alasdair Ong life-changing powers The ubiquitous white ear buds were early signs of a culture shift. Music collections cast in vinyl, cassettes and CD’s remained stowed away at home for many, too cumbersome to port around. The advent of portable music devices ushered in the era of the Walkman, Discman and MP3 bringing tunes to any and all. Now with advanced mobile technology and streaming services in abundance, a new way to discover and consume music has emerged. New research is painting music in a new light and everyone should stop for a moment and take in the beat.

It is widely acknowledged that the skills gained in the arts include creativity, confidence, problem solving, perseverance, focus, non-verbal communication, the ability to receive constructive feedback, collaboration, dedication, and accountability. Music is a wonderful way to acquire these skills. Now, evidence indicates that not only does a learner benefit from the experience of being involved in music, either through learning an instrument, singing in a choir, or playing in an instrumental ensemble; it in fact benefits the whole person.

What if someone told you that you had the power to change the structure of your brain? Latest research by the University of Zurich shows this is not only entirely possible but easier than you might think. Neuroscience is proving that the functioning of our brains is much more adaptable than first thought and we can actually raise our IQ by doing one thing. You guessed it! By playing a musical instrument.

Playing music can hike your IQ score by up to seven or more points. According to psychologist Lutz Jäncke, “the architecture of the brain changes” when we play music over a period of time. He states, “even in people over the age of 65, after four or five months of playing an instrument for an hour a week, there were strong changes in the brain.”

These fascinating findings mean we need to rethink a few things - the nature of brain functioning; the way we perceive intelligence, and the apparent powers of music, which are, literally, at our fingertips.

It’s music to our ears!

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Music effects how we interpret faces The opening notes of a song can immediately signal whether it is particularly happy or sad. Non-subjective, the human brain somehow extracts certain moods from songs, even if it’s from a different language or culture. Music is a universal language.

But can happy or sad music actually affect your mood? A recent study has demonstrated that even short pieces of happy or sad music can lean someone’s interpretation of a stranger’s face as either emotion, according to the music. Interestingly, music had the ability to colour the listener’s perception of a neutral face to that of either a happy or sad one.

Besides that, music has also been shown to open up your empathy, allowing us to feel the emotion of music without actually being happy or sad, why not try a piece of upbeat music to get you in a good mood?

Ambient noise can improve creativity Much like Goldilocks preferred, science now says that there is a level of noise that’s just right for creativity. As it turns out, an appreciable level of noise, that is to say, loud enough to notice but not loud enough to be distracting, can improve concentration and creativity as the brains processing power is ramped up to process the ambient noise. When the volume becomes distracting, the brain is overloaded and the opposite can happen.

The verdict is still out on what noise is best for your brain. Does ambient noise (think traffic, quiet talking or music) do a little distraction itself or does white noise not take as much processing power to tune out? Researchers in the 1970’s discovered that memory recall was degraded at noise levels approaching 75dB, which is only a moderate to quiet level of noise. Maybe blasting music during cram sessions isn’t the best idea. Give white noise a try or find a quiet and calm environment when in need of focus and creativity and see how you go!

Music reduces stress Everyone knows stress is terrible for you. Among other things, research links it to increased blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and a heightened risk of stroke.

Playing music relaxes both the body and the brain, as attention becomes focused on one single, right-brained activity. It also releases dopamine in the brain, the same chemical released during sex, drug use, and eating delicious food.

Imagine coming home from a stressful day at work and instead of zoning out with Netflix, doing something that’s not just fun and creative but effortlessly flexes and enhances your brain.

Term 2 2017 | VOL.23 | www.aishk.edu.hk Music helps us exercise

20% improvement Students in higher quality music education programs showed 20% improvement in standardised tests of English and Math.

Examination of Relationships between Participation in School Music Programs of Differing Quality and Standardized Test Results (Johnson, C. M., & Memmott, J. E. (2006)

What’s your power jam? That track or playlist that really gets your heart rate up? Studies have proven links between listening to music and athletic performance.

Researchers say that music can mask the body’s signal to the brain that it’s tired, enabling you to keep going. Beyond giving your body a serious power boost, researchers have also linked music with the body’s ability to use oxygen, making it more efficient at high intensity training.

Music conserves grey matter Grey matter helps preserve the structural integrity of the brain, especially as it pertains to executive functioning (selfcontrol and decision making), as well as memory, emotion, speech, muscle control, and seeing and hearing.

Harvard neurologist Gottfried Schlaug showed that the brains of musicians have more grey matter than those who don’t play an instrument. Significantly, he also demonstrated that participants who practiced as little as a few hours a week showed significant increases in memory capacity after just four months.

In other words, you could improve your brain by summer’s end, simply by practicing an instrument a few hours a week.

Music can improve your language abilities

aft AR er TIS tra TS in in g

be A fo RT re IS tra TS in in g

M aft US er IC tra IAN in S in g

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Vocabulary Score

When you play an instrument, you improve your ability to “keep the beat,” which facilitates your capacity to process auditory information. This is why those who take music lessons are better at learning foreign languages.

Young children who took music lessons showed improvement in verbal intelligence (here, specifically vocabulary) after just four weeks of training Musical training influences linguistic abilities in 8-year-old children: more evidence for brain plasticity (Sylvain Moreno et al. 2009)

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Again, research shows that results are ageindependent. A study at University of South Florida’s School of Music showed that after six months of taking piano lessons, people 60-85 years old demonstrated significant advances in executive functioning like planning and information processing, memory recall, and verbal acuity - language skills.

Music training can significantly improve motor and reasoning skills It’s not hard to imagine the link between musical training and motor function. You learn to play music with your body, the brain and body must therefore learn to work together better, right?

Well, it turns out that music training carries benefit in much more ways. A study in the UK showed evidence that a group of students which had chosen to learn an instrument performed better in not just musical aptitude (naturally), but tonal and rhythmic abilities, fine motor skills including aiming, catching and hand eye coordination, as well as vocabulary, nonverbal reasoning, spatial ability and semantic processing.

AISHK Instrumental Introductory Scheme

Classical music can improve visual attention Music goes in your ears. But did you know that it can affect your vision? A study of stroke patients showed an improvement in their visual attention while listening to certain music. Reinforcing what we learnt earlier, white noise and silence in the same survey resulted in less favourable results. While the study was limited, it’s interesting to know that music has far reaching effects on our brains.

Tips to support learning How to encourage effective practice at home • • • • • •

Encouragement and praise Set expectations with children (e.g. practice happens before TV) Set aside times allocated for music practice. Short, frequent practice sessions are more effective than having less frequent longer practice Set short term and long term goals with your child Maintain good communication with your child and music teacher Encourage students to take ownership and responsibility for their learning and progress

The instrumental program that AISHK offers presents students with the opportunity to undertake musical instrument and/or vocal training through private tuition from a specialist teacher on campus. The program offers lessons in violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, drums and voice. There are ten specialist teachers providing tuition for over 200 students from Early Childhood through to Year 12.

This year, AISHK has launched a new programme - the AISHK Instrumental Introductory Scheme.

This scheme provides an opportunity for students of all ages to try three different musical instruments over one term. Students will receive two private lessons on each of their chosen instruments.

Students are also able to loan each instrument from the school for two weeks which can be taken home for practise.

The AISHK Instrumental Introductory Scheme is a wonderful opportunity for students to try a variety of instruments and to help both students and their parents to decide on which musical instrument to learn. Feedback received from the teachers will help parents and students to consider which instrument could potentially suit them, and it gives a chance for the students to see how they feel about different instruments.

Term 2 2017 | VOL.23 | www.aishk.edu.hk

The

Being lucky enough to live in a dynamic city such as Hong Kong means every day can feel like an adventurous holiday!

Hong Kong is also a convenient starting point for travel to many destinations around the world.

Join us on this “Where in the World” journey starting with holiday insights from AISHK staff and finishing with some excerpts from our creative Secondary students’ travel writing projects.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride - maybe you’ll even discover your next holiday destination!

COMMUNITY Q&A \\ WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Karin Bennett Secondary Mathematics Teacher Time in Hong Kong 4 months Home before moving to Hong Kong Tenterfield, Northern NSW, Australia Countries visited since living in Hong Kong 2 What do you like most about Hong Kong so far?

I both love the friendly nature of the local people and how they are so supportive and patient with our attempts at speaking Cantonese. After living in a remote rural area of NSW (where all of Hong Kong could fit into our neighbour’s property!), now being close to everything is a fantastic change. We have explored some of the island villages of Hong Kong and have found these hidden treasures to be beautiful and peaceful.

We are both enjoying the facilities, staff and students of AISHK. We are fortunate to be here and already are starting to feel a part of this special community.

Where have you travelled overseas since living in Hong Kong, and what is your next travel destination?

We’ve been to Macau for a day trip early on and I ventured into Cambodia during Activities Week with a beautiful group of students and staff. The visit to Siem Reap was moving and inspirational, I can’t wait to share it with my husband and our friends from Inverell, NSW. The four of us are off to Cambodia and Vietnam during the mid-year break. We are also sneaking off to China for a golf trip next weekend, I’ll be reading and writing for pleasure whilst the golfers explore the courses at Nansha. Being so close to a myriad of countries and cultures is exciting

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2017

Hot on the heels of Performing Arts Showcase, The Traveller, and following Activity Week earlier in the term, we found ourselves curious and keen to discover perspectives on travel through the lens of our wider School community.

Community Q&A

and we are looking forward to the Harbin Ice Festival and Mongolia in the future. The list is growing rapidly.

Do you have any travel recommendations for AISHK families?

Go local! We have been surprised by the beautiful and simple fishing villages at Tai O on Lantau Island and Pichic Bay on Lamma Island, they have been complete revelations to us considering we were expecting mainly the hustle and bustle of one of the most densely populated cities in the world … they are absolute gems.

Dwayne Brown LEC Classroom Assistant Time in Hong Kong 7 years Home before moving to Hong Kong Newcastle, NSW, Australia Countries visited since living in Hong Kong 37 Where would you recommend for a relaxing getaway?

We are spoilt with the selection of relaxing beach holidays within South East Asia. However, the best relaxing holiday that we have had was a week in an over-water villa on Meeru Island in the Maldives.

What is your most memorable holiday and why?

I really enjoy visiting Italy. Rome is an amazing city with its history and architecture.

Venice always will hold a special memory for me when Mrs Brown accepted my marriage proposal on the Grand Canal.

Nicole Voss Secondary Science and Maths Teacher Time in Hong Kong 7½ years Home before moving to Hong Kong Australia, France, USA Countries visited since living in Hong Kong 25 What is usually your main reason for traveling?

I love learning about other cultures, traditions, and languages and actually enjoy being out of my comfort zone as it forces me to grow.

What has been your favourite holiday so far and why?

Cambodia was a real eye-opener because it was a country of extremely poor people that were some of the most humble, happy people I’ve ever met. I didn’t know about the Khmer Rouge before going there, so that was a bit of a shock – but more so the positive attitudes of the people after having been through so much (and quite recently). They were just so friendly and warm – they’re obviously “rich” in another sense.

Where would you recommend for an adventurous holiday experience?

Depends on how adventurous you are feeling! For a real grassroots type of holiday, then definitely Vietnam and Cambodia, backpacking through these countries is a bit rough at times, but the experiences and friendships that you make along the way are priceless. I also highly recommend a trip to the jungles of Borneo to see the wildlife combined with a stay on the turtle hatching island – so cool, very David Attenborough.

Tom Spurling Secondary English Teacher Time in Hong Kong 2½ years Home before moving to Hong Kong Perth Countries visited since living in Hong Kong 10 What has been your favourite holiday destination and why?

That’s easy - Sri Lanka because of our wonderful Activity Week. Family favourite? Noosa.

Which holiday has taken you furthest “off the beaten track”?

Lesotho. It’s a tiny, landlocked mountain kingdom in South Africa’s borders. Fun fact: it’s the highest country in the world.

Where would you recommend for an unusual holiday destination?

El Salvador. Their horrible civil war ended 25 years ago and it’s a great little country to visit. Black-sand surf beaches, volcanic lakes and coffee plantations. In fact, I think Mr Skellern is heading there soon!

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Student Submissions

A GAP MACHINE -IN�THE-

By Iris Yau | Year 10K

“Ah

zhe! Ah

zhe!

Yut bong chang sup mm mun

ah!

Miss! Miss!

A pound of oranges for only fifIFteen dollars!”

This is directed to the old lady hunched over her groceries, picking out vegetables near a fruit stall with oranges and apples piled high in a mountain.

With Whampoa having only been turned into residential property in the late 1980s, the other half of the Hung Hom area retained much of the traditional aspects of Hong Kong culture, including the native language of Cantonese. If you tried to use English here, you would be met with blank stares or a wave of a hand. “No English, no English.” If you have the time to take out of your schedule, a visit to Hung Hom before moving on to the more crowded tourist spots would let you experience the district as it has remained over the last few decades; true to itself and fully authentic, cherishing the traditions and practices of years long gone.

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From my spot at the edge of the curb, I can see down the pedestrian-only road to the small street temple, with incense already lit and smouldering. Wafts of smoke billow out from under the old tiled roof, dispersing in the air like wishes being granted. Even from so far away, the deep tangy aroma of the herbal teas from the shop at the corner is making its way towards me, reminiscent of the concoctions that my grandmother would tell me are good for me.

Standing at this intersection, it seems that I am in a limbo between the modern comforts of Whampoa, where big brands ease my cohesion into western culture, and the old traditional Hung Hom that reminds me of my Cantonese roots. Hong Kong is much the same, having been originally a Chinese port before being governed by Britain for the majority of its development as a city. The residual British influence in Hong Kong is evident in the sleek skyscrapers and the casual spending on name brands, but the roots of Cantonese cuisine and faith still lie in the narrow streets of Kowloon, hidden amongst the robotic routines in the machine-like city.

Student Submissions

Hungry in

Lucinda Durack | Year 10K

A short tram trip saw us to Tsui Wah and a pineapple bun morning tea. The bun was given its name for its appearance not taste (I was misled). The soft, cloud like, sweet bread is topped with a crumbly, yellow coating that resembles a pineapple’s pattern, hence the name. I have to say the sweet, simple messiness of this had me feeling wistful for the Australian lamington!

The pineapple bun was deliciously paired with a Hong Kong special, milk tea. Bought just two more escalators up at Lan Fong Yuen, a small trailer with a 50m queue. People line up for this famous beverage. The spectacle of the making (it is drained in a long, silk stocking) as a big contributor to its notoriety. The milk tea is a perfect example of how Hong Kong’s colonial past is incorporated into its cuisine made with tea, milk powder and condensed milk. An Asian twist on the British cup of tea.

We meandered our way to lunch in Wan Chai for some Siu Mei (Cantonese roast meat). I looked up at the leaden sky again, the day was going well and was actually grateful for this weather as the streets weren’t as crowded as usual.

We stopped at Joy Hing Roasted Meat drawn in by the mouth-watering Char Siu hanging in the window. Char Siu translates to ‘fork roast’ it is the traditional method for cooking the boneless meat cuts and is a big part of a Hong Kong local’s daily menu. We ordered the most popular Siu Mei cuts: BBQ Pork, succulent and moist with a crunchy red ring around each piece. A mark left by the honey, five spice, soy and hoisin sauce, sherry glaze that the cut is coated in before roasting. BBQ goose, just as tasty, with sweet, tender meat under crispy, shiny skin. All served with a side of rice and steamed veggies. It was a filling, flavourful and affordable meal costing around $30HKD. Having devoured an excessive amount of food we slowly sauntered our way back home through the midlevels.

Even though we both felt plethorically when walking past Lyndhurst terrace we surrendered to the sweet, delights of Tai Cheong Bakery. The idea of a warm, custard egg tart was too much to resist. This bakery became famous for being a favourite of ex-governor Christopher Patten, who in the 1990s claimed “the best egg tarts in the world” were sold here. He was the most loyal of customers and was given the nick-name ‘fatty patty’.

I would have to agree with Chris and the other hundreds of people standing outside the bakery.

Student Submissions

Sahil Mahbubani | Year 10K

A CULTURAL KALEIDOSCOPE

Sahil Mahbubani | Year 10K

The Tricks and Trade of Transport The ‘Star Ferry’ is a classic example of how external influences have shaped Hong Kong’s diversity and lifestyle.

The ferry service and tourist attraction’s main purpose is to carry passengers across Victoria Harbour, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. This fleet of twelve ferries was founded by a Parsee merchant -Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala in 1888, and started off with four main boats known only as the Morning Star, Evening Star, Rising Star and Guiding Star.

The bustling of people mixed with the overpowering scent of salt water gives you a rush as you walk down the ribbed ramp and step onto the rickety gangplank.

The feeling of experiencing a ride on the Star Ferry is one like no other. As you push through the turnstiles you hear the sounds of the ferry approaching, and after a few moments you hear a buzz as the gates to either side of you swing open. The bustling of people mixed with the overpowering scent of salt water gives you a rush as you walk down the ribbed ramp and step onto the rickety gangplank. With the sound of the engine turning on and metal humming around you, the boat rocks and dips as it leaves the pier.

Skyscrapers and small islands envelope you as the ferry moves faster. The sound of waves crashing against the hull of the boat combined with the chatter and camera shutters of the travellers on board can be heard.

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If you are lucky enough to catch an evening ride, you can experience the much anticipated Symphony of Lights, which takes place at 8pm every day. A walk along the Waterfront at sunset beginning at the Clock Tower and heading past the Cultural Centre and The Space Museum will lead you to the Avenue of the Stars. The likes of Jacky Chan and Bruce Lee statues await tourists eager for a photo shoot.

Inexpensive Delicacies Hong Kong is one of the few cities where you can get a meal ranging from HK$10 to HK$1,000. It is believed that street food originated during the Tang dynasty, where hawkers had sold cold food on the streets to get relief during summer heat as early as the Tang dynasty, but it was during the Qing dynasty that the street-side snack stalls gradually developed into street markets.

As I prepare to leave the Star Ferry, I hear the chimes of the clock tower reverberate throughout the pier, and a sense of fulfilment echoes within me. It’s 9:00pm and the day is finally over.

The cultural melding pot that is TST is but a microcosm for the multicultural, rich, and vibrant city that is Hong Kong. From its Chinese foundations, its period of British colonization, and its Japanese occupation, its “then” has ultimately shaped it to become a unique city unlike no other. So come and experience Hong Kong at its finest.

“Now.”

Student Submissions

The

of

OTHER SIDE

Hong Kong

Audrey Au | Year 10S

Oh yeah, I also nearly got hit by a car.

I was trying to Google Maps my way to the MTR station when I suddenly decided to look up and I was crossing a road and a big black minivan was hurtling towards me. Like any other normal person, I screamed and scurried across the road. I don’t think the car had any intention of slowing down. If it was going to run me over to get to its destination, then run over I was going to get. The driver didn’t seem to care like my life didn’t really matter. And to make matters worse, every single onlooker was glaring at me because I was worried for my life and had probably disturbed their phone call. Well that was harsh. I thought after this hour I’ve spent walking around someone would’ve been nice.

But I guess the ice cream truck driver stopping for me was all the kindness I could squeeze out of Mong Kok. Hong Kong Islanders would probably stay safer on their side of the harbour. My journey was nearing its end.

There is a massive footbridge suspended over the main streets of Mong Kok and it is absolutely hectic. I saw young

adults giving out brochures, on dates, helpers taking selfies to send to their families overseas, homeless people setting up fort with their umbrellas and blankets. As I walked along the footbridge back to the MTR station, I looked over to watch the small people meander, the miniature buses toot, and I was breathing in Mong Kok. Everyone had a little role there, the smokers causing the pollution, vendors selling their foods.

After a mere 15 minute train ride, I once again set foot back into the bustling Hong Kong Island. I set foot across to Kowloon, thinking that I was going to get cancer from the smoking and killed by triads and get the guts squished out of me from the crowds. But when I stepped back into Hong Kong Island, I thought I was going to experience a wild moment of joy for escaping Mong Kok, a sense of relief. But I didn’t feel it. Hong Kong Island wasn’t that much different.

The workers still pushed me on the train, the people still smoked, the cars still honked.

Why does a 10 minute MTR ride separate Hong Kong so much?

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Term 2 2017 | VOL.23 | www.aishk.edu.hk

ACTIVITY WEEK 2017 The Secondary Activity Week Program is a compulsory program of extra curricular learning engaging students in experiences which are outside the bounds of regular classroom learning. Courses take advantage of our location in South East Asia and the skills and experience of staff members.

The program is designed to provide an off-campus learning experience to develop the individual, his/her social skills and their community interaction. In some grades, it provides students with an opportunity to travel to neighbouring countries and experience the local culture and engage in socio-cultural service activities.

The experiential learning for Secondary students in this special week is vast, ambitious and engaging.

Cambodia

Adeline Chuah | Year 11E Before we begin, a shout out to Ms Morley, Ms Bennett, Ms Cilauro, Mr McCorkell and Mr McGunnigle for not only making this trip possible, but also making it one of the most fun and memorable experiences we will ever have. Thanks for everything.

The trip began at 6am, where we waited to board the airplane.

The minute we landed on Cambodia tarmac, we were in for a big surprise. Our whole week was immersed in the rich and diverse culture of Angkorian Cambodia, which we definitely enjoyed during the dance show on the first night. We also had a chance to taste the local cuisine and even partake in the preparation of said cuisine during cooking class at the Le Meridien Hotel. But a definite highlight was going to the markets to bargain. Everyone came away with at least one souvenir from the markets, whether it was yoga pants, fake sport shoes or claustrophobia.

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We also had a chance to witness the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime, which was responsible for the genocide of more than 2 million people. At the S-21 prisons and the Siem Reap War Museum, we had the absolute honour of meeting survivors of the extreme torture faced by those who opposed the Khmer Rouge regime. Their sheer resilience during those times lingered with us throughout the week, as a reminder of how far the Cambodian people have come from those times of chaos.

Diving in Philippines Tara Brookes | Year 12E However, I think I speak for everyone when I say we will all remember the housebuilding for the Tabitha Foundation.

Regardless of how many nails we lost through the floorboards and how many times we hit our thumbs (don’t worry, guys. It happens to everyone), we still managed to have fun despite our sore hands. Looking back, we may not remember the exact itinerary of the trip, or how many hours of sleep we lost, but we will always remember the amazing Activity Week we experienced in Cambodia.

Golf in HK

Peter Phillips | Head of English According to Mark Twain, the game of golf is “a good walk spoiled”. For the ten students who arrived at The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Golf Course on Monday 20 March, the great man’s words must have at first rung true as they struggled with the many nuances of the ancient game. But as the week progressed – through hard work, good humour and some expert tuition from the Jockey Club’s team of professionals – the group steadily honed their skills and soon were stroking putts and slapping drivers with the best of them. If you haven’t been there, the Jockey Club’s Kau Sai Chau location in Sai Kung is a spectacular island setting to learn a new sport, and the weather was mostly kind to us each day. All students thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and pushed themselves through initial frustrations, hopefully developing an affinity for a game that is considered “one for a lifetime”. Special mention must go to Campbell Rawiller who was named “Best Player” for the week, while Richard Adu earned “Most Improved”. But credit to all the students for taking a chance on golf, discovering in the process that par is never as easy as it seems.

The Philippines diving trip was a captivating experience that truly embodied the perfect Activity Week. Early Saturday morning 19 March, fourteen students from the Australian International School embarked on a journey to the Philippines. None of us were quite prepared for what we would see and how it would feel to be 18 meters deep in the Bohol Sea. While the resort was beautiful, eating dinner on the beach each night was breath taking, and the resident dog was adorable, it will never compare to the feeling of taking that first breath of air underwater. It was nothing less than incredible, the dive sites presented a beautifully diverse range of corals and fauna. There was a vast number of marine life that we saw from the strangest looking animals, the frogfish, the majestic whale shark, and the beautiful sea turtles. The vibrant colours below the surface of the water and the alien appearance of the sea life left the students in awe, as it had created a feeling within the students of being on a foreign planet. Swimming alongside the Sea turtles, and freediving to get a closer look was an incredible experience, it has left us feeling truly at one with nature. A true highlight of the trip was being circled by a curious whale shark, an experience even our dive instructors said was rare and have never happened to them in their hundreds of dives in Oslob.

Putting fears of decompression sickness aside, the amazing instructors, who not only taught us how to dive, but put up with our millions of questions about diving and having convinced us all that we all wanted to become dive instructors. It’s easy to say we were not only sad to have to leave the Philippines but also to say goodbye to our amazing instructors, who made the trip so memorable. Philippines diving was a trip none of us will forget, going far beyond our expectations. When looking back at our years at school it is sure to say that Philippines diving will be one of the standout memories - an experience we will never forget.

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ACTIVITY WEEK 2017

David Mitchell | Year 10N Elodie Lunt | Year 11J

energetic, coming from Brazil, and was designed as fighting disguised as dancing. On Friday morning we did karate, a Japanese martial art involving striking and counterattacking body movements, though mental aspects are used as well.

It’s 2017 and yet another Activity Week has passed over AISHK. Out of all the available places students could choose to go to, all around the world, one of the said choices was to stay in Hong Kong and be introduced to ten different styles of Martial Arts from round the world.

Thankfully, by the end of the week, nobody was injured (badly), and the students all had a good time. So, in that sense, this week was a success!

Martial Arts and Culture

On the first day we did Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Muay Thai is very similar to kickboxing, except it uses elbows and knees instead of just boxing and kicks. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the gold standard of wrestling. On Tuesday we did Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), stage fighting and then in the evening we went to a physically-handicapped-and-able-bodied Taekwondo class which was interesting as it was evident that people with physical disabilities can also benefit from martial arts. MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is a blend of any martial arts (e.g. Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). While we did stage fighting at school, stuntman Chris Collins came in to teach us about how to use our acting skills.

Wednesday consisted of Krav Maga and Kalis. Krav Maga is all about survival and instincts, and it was originally created by the Israeli defence force for their soldiers to use, while Kalis is Filipino sword fighting. Thursday was Wing Chun and Capoeira. Wing Chun is one of the martial arts that you commonly see in Chinese action movies. Capoeira was very

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Japan

Stephanie Tang | Year 12E On 19 March, 28 snowboarders and skiers set off on a seven day adventure on the slopes of Niseko, Japan. They were greeted by wonderful weather and soft snow, which made falling on their behinds a much more comfortable experience. Immersed in a distinctly new and exciting environment, students were able to gain a newfound appreciation for Japanese culture and the Niseko community - with accommodation allowing students to adopt a relatively independently lifestyle over the course of the trip.

Students spent the first two days learning the basics of skiing and snowboarding from their instructors, and saw themselves elevate in both skill and altitude over the course of the week. Skiing and Snowboarding daily for seven hours, students eventually found themselves confident enough to continue their adventures after lessons had concluded. Applying skills and techniques they had learnt

Term 2 2017 | VOL.23 | www.aishk.edu.hk

いただきます！

from the talented snowsport school staff, students from different skill levels grouped up and headed up the chair lifts to catch some of the last runs of the day. With many having never seen snow before the atmosphere of the trip was filled with excitement as students spent the week; having snowball fights, sampling local Japanese cuisine and practicing their language skills.

Paris

Stefania Swart | Year 12W Bhavya Coburn| Year 12E Departing from Hong Kong on 18 March to Paris, saw many of us unable to sleep and sit still, with the thought of walking the streets of the city’s renowned beautiful architecture and famous landmarks with

baguettes in hand. Before exploring what the city had to offer, we met our host families in a suburb of Paris called Eaubonne, a 30 minute commute from the city centre. Underestimating the briskness of a Parisian Spring, our shivering bodies were comforted by our host family’s welcoming arms and freshly baked chocolate croissants.

After which we were ready for the fresh fruit and vegetable market and a 5 course Sunday Lunch with the entire family. We were welcomed into our host’s families like we were their own, acting as a home away from home.

We didn’t have time for jetlag as our schedules were packed with French speaking tuition, visiting monuments and making memories.

We began the trip in a private coach, observing the Arc de Triomphe, a shopping-sprint along the Champs Elysees, and an opportunity to be pictured touching the top of the Eiffel Tower. Afterwards, we climbed to the 2nd floor of the iconic structure to have an extraordinary 360° view of Paris (no proposals were witnessed) and

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ACTIVITY WEEK 2017 finally we ate our lunch on a cruise along the Seine river.

The following day we visited the Palace of Versailles which was the residence of King Louis the fourteenth during the seventeenth century. With its golden decorations, old paintings and towering walls of mirrors it was hard not to gaze around in amazement. The gardens outside the palace were equally magnificent; we explored endless acres of cone and square shaped trees as well as the water fountains which trickled happily amongst the lush surroundings.

Visiting markets after our French Lessons gave us the opportunity to practise our thoroughly rehearsed sentences and our confidence grew, and soon we were ordering baked goods and freshly picked produce. We all couldn’t wait to shop at the Galleries Lafayette to impress more shop assistants with our new Australian-French accent and extensive shopping vocabulary.

In terms of food the highlight for most of us was trying out the several types of French cheeses. From Brie to Camembert we ate up all the samples displayed at the markets. We roamed around shops and cafes and some of us even got our portraits drawn by total strangers. The cathedral Le SacreCoeur stood beautifully on top of a series of never-ending stairs, overlooking the suburb of Montmartre. The stainedglass windows splashed colour around the dimly lit church.

I think if you asked any of those who attended the French trip many would say the Art Galleries, Museums and Castles

is what took our breaths away. The historical stories behind the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Orsay Museum and architectural Masterpieces like the Opéra Garnier, is what many would say is the melted cheese topped off a Raclette.

The moving eyes of the Mona Lisa, colourful paintings by Claude Monet and Impressionist paintings from Vincent Van Gogh saw many of us constantly pinching ourselves walking through the rows of art and history. The added experience of the Bohemian district of Paris, Montmartre, witnessed the creation of identical self-portraits, the Moulin de la Galette, je t’aime wall, and Dalida’s House, saw the artistic/creative side of a city known instead for Haute-Couture and Paris Fashion Week.

Ending our trip with crepes from Crêperie Plougaste, reeating the calories from the cheese and bread being burnt off from an overall 14km walk around the arts district, we entered our homes for the last time. Sitting on our bags to close them and refusing to walk out the door on Saturday

Term 2 2017 | VOL.23 | www.aishk.edu.hk

morning, we headed back to the airport for a flight back to Hong Kong and minimal sleep, re-watching our videos taken from a trip many of us will never forget.

Saigon

Iris Yuan | Year 10K Ho Chi Minh City, still known to many as Saigon, was warmly sunny when our group of 16 students, Mr Tyler, and Ms Gregory, touched down at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport on Monday morning. Bright eyed and eager to experience a different culture, we visited the City Museum of Saigon after a lunch of traditional Pho, to learn about the development of the city from its humble beginnings as a sea frontier town. A visit to the War Remnants Museum opened our eyes to the truly devastating effects of the country’s struggles for independence through their own civil wars as well as the subsequent interference by America and other western countries, having been ruled first by China for centuries, then by France. On the second day, we spent time in the History Museum, learning about the cultural and indigenous history of Vietnam, also visiting the Notre Dame

Cathedral in the centre of the city, named after its Parisian counterpart. A trip to the Ben Thanh Market allowed us to purchase souvenirs to remind us of the trip, as well as giving us more insight into the crowded nature of the local markets governed by loose laws and low prices. We then enjoyed a performance in the Saigon Opera House which showed much of the local lifestyle through acrobatic and musical acts.

The third and fourth days were occupied with interactions with children from Christina Noble’s Sunshine School in Saigon, and from their affiliate school for the visually impaired in Tay Ninh, one of the areas most heavily affected by the American use of the harmful chemical compound Agent Orange during the war. The Sunshine School proved to be a safe and healthy environment to grow up in for the underprivileged and impoverished children of the city. We brought 15 of the children to TiNi World, an activities centre for children that included a ball pit and a jungle gym, and were happy to see the delight on their faces when they were allowed to play and enjoy the time like children should be able to without worrying about when they will be able to eat a full meal next. The visit to the centre in Tay Ninh was

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extremely humbling, and we are all incredibly grateful to have been able to interact with the children and put a smile on their faces through fun activities. We thank the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation for allowing us to contribute positively to the lives of the children in both centres.

We also visited the Chu Chi Tunnels, which were the tunnels used by the Vietnamese Communists during the war against the Americans and the southern Vietnamese to conduct stealth attacks. The last full day was spent on a boat tour around the Mekong Delta and one of the larger islands there, Than Thoi (Unicorn Island), named after one of Vietnam’s national animals. We were able to see their traditional musical instruments and were treated to a performance of old folk songs from the island. To finish off the trip, we had a birthday celebration at dinner for one of our tour group, before returning to Hong Kong the next day, tired but richer in knowledge and perspective.

Year 8 in Chiang Mai, Thailand Arabella Pahl | Year 8E

This year 37 students from Year 8 flew three hours to Chiang Mai where they stayed for seven days. They did many activities which helped support team building as well as gaining insight into the rich culture and history of Northern Thailand.

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We began with culture lessons and umbrella painting and exercised our culinary skills in cooking some traditional Thai foods. We learned some basic language greetings and also were able to dress up as Thai men and women. We were privileged to visit a Hill Tribe where the Elders had banned the implementation of the internet in their communities to avoid the loss of traditions and cultural values. Here we learned about hunting, farming and cooking and shared in a home cooked meal which the Hill Tribe people made for us to eat. We were also introduced to traditional weaving methods and even had a chance to give it a go, but we were all frightened that we would mess up the scarf she had already started to weave!

A highlight of the trip was visiting Hope House which is an organisation that invites underprivileged children from Hill Tribes to attend school and have a safe home. There are about 70 children from the ages of 3-18 years and many of these students have grown up at Hope House, making a family amongst each other. We painted furniture, made wooden blocks, created a potato garden, painted some new classrooms and made some alphabet letters for the students.

It was a rewarding experience for us.

We were lucky to also explore unique areas of Northern Thailand: we saw rice paddy fields and huts during our cycling excursion, kayaked in a man-made river, saw how to run a sustainable farm and make everyday products like

shampoo from the world’s natural resources and even did a zipline through the canopies of Chiang Mai. We all enjoyed Thailand so much and I think we all agree that it was a very memorable experience. On behalf of all of the students, I would like to thank all of the teachers that made this trip happen and a very big thanks to Traidhos for the exceptional accommodation and food.

Year 8 in Zhaoqing, China Jade Busch | Year 8E

This year’s Zhaoqing camp in China was full of many fun activities and challenges to exercise the groups optimism and enhance their understanding of their strengths and weaknesses while working as a team and learning about the culture in China.

Some of the activities that the groups did was a cableway

hike with rocky terrain and narrow wooden bridges which tested our balance, communication skills and their patience.

Along with that, we built water-balloon catapults to challenge our rope-tying skills and teamwork while getting very wet!

Continuing the very wet theme, our Dinghu Mountain hike was a long and damp trek up the waterfall filled mountain.

While soaking in the beautiful scenery and foggy mountain range, we tried to reach the giant Ding at the top as well as testing our perseverance to get there on the slippery path. To learn and explore the Chinese culture further, we grabbed our paintbrushes and paper to follow the talented painting teacher and make beautiful pieces of art along with visiting a Chinese inkstone museum and attending an inkstone carving workshop. These activities showcased our art skills and our understanding of Chinese culture.

The community service at Bai Shi Keng School involved painting tires and planting flowers inside to give the school some colour and decoration while giving us some community service experience and teamwork skills. Afterwards, we

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Term 2 2017 | VOL.23 | www.aishk.edu.hk

spent time with the children and we ended the day with smiles. It was a long day with hard work but for a great cause.

The Year 8 camp was a great experience for all of us and we got to have new encounters, discover new strengths and create amazing memories with our friends and incredible teachers.

Yangshuo

Robert Winkler | Year 11W Dikai Yan | Year 10N Calum Stitt | Year 11H Marc Vermeulen | Year 11W Sam Thorley | Year 11H This Activity Week thirteen lads left AISHK by coach and high speed bullet train to have some adventure, experience culture and provide some community service in Yangshuo, in the Guanxi province, China. We did bike riding, rock

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climbing, water caving, bamboo rafting as well as hiking, cooking and fan painting. We made use of our Mandarin skills through teaching Year 5 and 6 students in a local primary school, although we never realised getting children to follow instructions is so hard! Here are some of our thoughts about the rest of the trip: The 55km cycle ride on the ďŹ rst day, put us through a great deal of pain as we cycled through a river and a lot of mud, we were however able to contrast the pain by experiencing some breath-taking views of the Karst mountains and some local village life in Yangshuo. The wet and muddy theme continued with our hike through the water cave, which was a highlight of the trip for many. Again, this meant wading knee deep through a river inside the cave and swimming in a mud bath.

Due to the continued wet weather we changed a couple of activities so that we had a chance to experience more Chinese culture through traditional fan painting. Following a workshop on correct brush techniques we could then create our own fans. We learnt how the fans were made and got to keep our own examples as souvenirs. Some of us also

ACTIVITY WEEK 2017

realised that we were also quite capable chefs in the kitchen!

An achievement for many was the rock climbing, quite a few of us confronted our fears and scaled some pretty scary heights!

In all, the trip was a great success with some awesome leaders who made it all so worthwhile. We would definitely go again!

Year 9 Outward Bound Kylie Lau | Year 9W

Sweat raining from faces, cuts and bruises covering arms and legs. Through the past years, we’ve heard the rumours and stories of the horrors from the dreaded trip. The infamous “AYP camp” has finally dawned upon us. Rain, dirt, terrible food, not showering… we’ve heard it all. But we’ve also heard some good things, too. How “fun” it is, how your group “bonds over the pain”, etc… I’m sure most readers have experienced the trip before.

Unlike previous AYP trips, this year, our week was split into three parts. The first two days were “preparation”, where instructors taught us the basics of “surviving the wild” -

navigation, cooking, tent setup, and dealing with cows (I’m quite sure there were more cows than humans in Sai Kung).

Then, on the third and fourth days, it was just hiking. That’s it. We were given time to plan our own 20km expedition, the final destination being the Outward Bound base. 20km in two days. We were allowed to walk anywhere. From Ham Tin Beach to Pyramid Hill in Ma On Shan, anywhere in Sai Kung, as long as we reached 20km! However, during these two days, we had to use our navigation skills to find our way through Sai Kung by ourselves with absolutely no help from our instructors. They would simply follow us, not saying a single word even if we went the complete opposite way.

On the final day, after a wonderful rest in the Outward Bound dorms (mattresses!!), we embarked upon a “Great Race”, where we had to complete activities around the base.

At the end, we had to jump off a pier, which was around 10 metres above the water. Words can’t describe the feeling of exhilaration.

Overall, despite the hardships of AYP, it was such a valuable experience that we will never forget. An experience where we gained new life skills, friendships and memories that will last with us a lifetime!

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SPORTS UPDATE For news, full recaps and up to the minute sport updates, stay tuned to dhanara.aishk.edu.hk

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On the weekend of 18-20 May, 10 Boys and 7 Girls travelled to Guangzhou, China to represent AISHK in the Southern Delta Regional Conference (SDRC) basketball tournament. Hosted by the American International School Guangzhou (AISG), six teams in both the Girls and Boys divisions fought out for the title of SDRC Champions.

Both the Boys and Girls teams won their opening two games meaning they progressed to the semi-ďŹ nals. The games of the tournament for both squads were against Quality Schools International Shekou (QSIS), both games decided by very tight point margins. QSIS edged out our Boys team in the bronze medal play-off in a tense game which went into overtime. The Girls, through gutsy and determined play, managed to secure third seed after dropping a game to eventual tournament runners-up QSIS. They would eventually succumb to the pressure applied from both QSIS and AISG to come in third overall. Players new to the game on both squads showed great team spirit, quick adaptation to learn the game and became valuable contributors as the tournament progressed.

The students should be commended for their efforts throughout the tournament on the court and their good behaviour off the court. Particular mention goes to Harry Healy, Angus McBride, Amelia Qvist and Prue Steadson for making the All-Tournament Team.

Lee Pilgrim | Basketball Manager

KANGA BYTES Bite-sized Sports News

ACAMIS Tournament The AISHK Girls team entered themselves into school folklore on 22 April 2017, when they won the ACAMIS soccer tournament with a fantastic 2-0 victory over Tianjin International School to cap off a fantastic three days of football in HK. Since winning the ACAMIS Football tournament in 2006, the Girls’ team has reached the semi-finals every year from, beaten finalists in 2007, 2013 and 2014. Legend has it that Robert the Bruce, (King of Scotland) is meant to have told his troops, “If at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again”, shortly before defeating the English army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. This phrase is incredibly apt for the girls, led superbly by the indefatigable Niamh Davies and Caitlin Rawiller, as their outstanding team spirit and togetherness shone throughout the competition and ultimately brought them victory.

Outstanding play and leadership was demonstrated by Caitlin Rawiller, Kristiana Echaluce, Niamh Davies and Phoebe Coogans throughout the competition. This was an especially fitting way for Year 12 athletes Niamh and Caitlin to complete their ACAMIS journey. Niamh deserves an extra special mention as she has given eight years of service to football at AISHK, having been a force of nature on the football field since Year 5.

If blood, sweat and tears was a measure of success then the ACAMIS soccer tournament for the Boys team was the greatest of triumphs. Results may not have gone their way, but there was passion, desire and hard work aplenty. For ten members of the 12 man squad, this would be the last time they represented AISHK in this prestigious tournament and they created memories that will last them a life time.

Captained by AISHK soccer stalwart Shawnway Chu, the boys went forth into battle. Notable contributions came from Ryan Rollason in goal, who stopped almost everything the opposition threw at him and Darby Durack who cracked home a thunderous shot to level the score in the play-off match. With so many players now leaving the fold, it is time for the next generation of ACAMIS boys to come to the fore.

The AISHK C1 Netball team competed in the Hong Kong Netball Association InterSchool Netball Tournament in May. The girls were competing against other schools and came up against some tough competition. Their toughest game was the Grand Final against their archrivals West Island School.

Both teams played a good clean game of netball and AISHK came away with a three goal win. The girl’s sportsmanship and their commitment to the game is commendable.

Congratulations to Bill Thorley, who won the 10km International Cocos Crossing in Guam in May. Bill also finished 6th in the HKASA 10km Open Water Championships. Bill is now competing for a spot on the HK National Open Water Team.

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