After extensive planning, 25 students and four staff members embarked on a 16-day study tour to China during the first two weeks of the September holidays. We explored the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the ancient cities of Beijing and Xi’an, as well as the picturesque cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou. A highlight of our trip was visiting our Sister School, Xuzhou No.1 Middle School.

Our packed itinerary offered a bit of everything - from sightseeing at iconic landmarks and experiencing modern innovations like Disneyland, to attending a variety of night shows, including awe-inspiring acrobatic performances and the mesmerizing Tang Dynasty Singing and Dancing Gala.

Food, being a cornerstone of Chinese culture, played a significant role in our journey. In fact, many would agree that this trip was also a ‘food tour’. Along with daily buffet breakfasts at the hotels, we savoured authentic local delicacies at every stop and enjoyed some truly unique dining experiences.

I’d like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this amazing trip possible. First and foremost, to the students: you should be immensely proud of yourselves, as the teachers are of you. You displayed courage by leaving your families for two weeks to travel to a foreign country. You embraced the beauty and history of China, adapted to cultural differences - especially during your host family stay - and supported each other whenever needed.

To the School Management and accompanying staff, and special thanks to Ms Scerri, Ms Hatzipavlis, and Ms Cartwright for the unwavering support and the cherished memories that made this trip truly unforgettable .And to the parents: thank you for trusting us with your children for two weeks and allowing them this incredible opportunity to grow and flourish!

Ms Yingying Jiang
Head of Languages

At the beginning of the September holidays, a group of 25 students from Years 9 to 11 met at the International Departures gate, full of excitement and anticipation. We were just a group of strangers at the very beginning, but we all had one thing in common - our love for Chinese culture and language.

As we landed at our first stop, Shanghai, we were welcomed by the warm air and humidity that we had longed for in Melbourne. The city of Shanghai, abuzz with vibrant activity and beautiful landscapes, was an endless haven of things to do. We enjoyed shopping along Nanjing Rd, travelling to the top of the iconic Shanghai tower, and making memories of a lifetime at Shanghai Disneyland. It was a wonderful introduction to China.

The city of Xi’an, our second stop, truly exceeded our expectations, marking itself as a landmark for rich history and culture. Firstly, we took a trip to Datang Everbright City, where we had a makeover into traditional Han dynasty garbs. We also visited Xi’an’s most significant location - the Terracotta Warriors - the scale of which was astounding. It was incredible to be so close to such an intricate piece of ancient history. Modernity and abundant history interwoven, the unique city of Xi’an became a definite highlight of the trip.

The second largest city, Beijing, also had much to offer. In our time there we were lucky to view landmarks such as the Beijing Zoo and the Great Wall of China. It certainly lived up to its name; its breathtaking views will be a memory of ours for years to come. In Xuzhou, we were able to step into the shoes of a student at our sister school in China, as well as experiencing a homestay with her family. This helped us to further understand differences in food, culture, and daily life in the most authentic way possible. Their hospitality, friendliness, and open-mindedness made this one of the most special experiences of the trip. We miss all of our new friends a lot.

Spending our final days in Hangzhou and Suzhou, we were amazed to find our trip had passed in the blink of an eye. Travelling back to Melbourne was bittersweet; although excited to see our families, we definitely felt as though we were leaving a small part of ourselves in the mystifying ,bustling, beautiful place that is China. However, we are lucky to have taken home many gifts; in particular, the wonderful memories and friendships we made.

Violet and Emily
Year 11