2022-03-02
Shortly after the start of the school year, Nanjing Goldfields Future School received online Chinese New Year wishes from RGSG Head School in the UK. Teachers and students from the UK Head School celebrated the Chinese New Year by writing Chinese, Chinese-style crafts and epidemic-blocking international cultural contacts across the mountains and seas, weaving a common educational ideal with diversity and inclusion.
Just as RGS Main School in the UK encourages children to be exposed to diverse cultures and brings the world into the classroom, at Nanjing Goldie Future School we give children back the freedom to explore as much as teaching allows, giving them enough of a stage to perform in infinite excitement.
At the end of last term, a special invitation appeared in all classrooms and offices of the school. students in class 7A directed and performed a full English stage play based on the story of the French fable 'Stone Soup'.
The play originated from an off-handed encouragement. After watching a short film of Stone Soup after one of the classes, Mr Ke shared the script of the play with the students of Class 7A and encouraged them to try their hand at staging it if they were interested.
For the first time, these children, who had just moved from primary school to junior high school, were excited to be able to take the initiative in staging their play.
A small idea ignited a spark of enthusiasm in each of the children. In order to present a well-choreographed stage play to the whole secondary section, the students of Class 7A voluntarily divided their work to design every aspect of the stage play, from directing, designing, staging, choreography, narration and so on; from lines, movements, publicity, invitation design, even props and costumes, the children were all precise.
For many students, this is their first exposure to theatre, and the first time they are integrating themselves into a stage play as the main character. Being completely off-script and interpreting in full English would also be a considerable challenge.
Fortunately, with the unconditional support of off-site assistance, they managed to overcome every hurdle of English pronunciation, and with the collaboration of Martin's teachers, the children gradually brought the stage design they had in mind to life. The teachers provided professional support to the students, helping them to solve problems and maintain their enthusiasm. As the invitations were delivered from their hands and the set goals came closer and closer to them, each student felt a deep sense of pride and determination to achieve their mission.
Growth comes unnoticed when one strives to elevate oneself. Nico, who is not very good at expressing her views, took on the role of director this time and gradually learnt how to resolve conflicts arising from teamwork as she sorted out the story and structure and guided her classmates through the rehearsal process.
On the eve of the performance, each child expressed their understanding of their role and rehearsal feelings in English and Chinese, and said goodbye to their roles in their own way.
Hello everyone ! I am Kelly from Grade 7 Austen. I love singing and I am a good singer. In Stone Soup, my role is Martha.I think Martha is a little bit impatient and stingy, but still has a warm heart.From Stone Soup , I have learned that generosity is very important because if we do not give then we can not get. Also we need to use our brain and wisdom to solve difficulties. From the rehearsal, l have learned that if we want to work together and have a success, listening and cooperation can make a big difference. Also by this activity, Grade 7 Austen is more like a family
Hello, everyone. I'm Scott from class 7a. I'm a reading and optimistic boy. My role is Pierre，After this rehearsal, I deeply felt the unity and cooperation of class A in Grade 7, and let me feel our ability. This rehearsal also let me know a new myself, let me find my strengths, know my shortcomings when I get along with my classmates, and let me become luminous and hot. The theme I want to convey is seven a to succeed and win. Everyone should arrange a stone soup. Only in this way can we make the best of ourselves in the school.
Hello everyone! I am Angel from Grade 7 Austen.I am cheerful and love to taste all kinds of food in the world. My role is Lieutenant. I think the character of lieutenant is an intelligent, leading person who knows how to gain the trust and recognition of others and let us know that sharing is joyful. The play taught me that wisdom can be used to solve problems. When people don't want to do something, someone should stand up and lead them to do it.
The performance may not have been amazing, but after this practical experience on stage, the students in Class 7A had a kind of transformation from "layman" to "insider", all experiences were a kind of training, they began to think about stage performance and were eager to try more unknown challenges.
As children, there is no way they can be talented in all activities, but we hope that with the encouragement of their teachers, the students will be able to maintain or explore what they enjoy and excel in. In the future, this group of children will also try to start their own radio station, craft workshops, student clubs and choose what they want to learn, develop and become unique individuals on their own.
