Hong Kong Australian International School

Yesterday my 4th graders got a visit from their penpals from the Hong Kong Australian International School. So a bunch of Australian ex-pat kids and Chinese probably-rich kids came to our school to hang out with my kids and to observe classes in a Chinese primary school. I got to help host parts of the morning, and that was fun. It was kind of weird because I only sort of knew what was supposed to be going on the whole time. There was a detailed schedule, but it was all in Chinese, and Anne helped roughly translate the events and the parts that I would be involved in. I co-led the meet and greet, and the presents exchange. Then I got to wander and watch the classes that were on exhibition. That was pretty fun. Kids are learning ballet in dance class and I never knew. There are a lot of things about this school that are indirectly hidden from me because no one tells me or no one knows how to explain clearly how schedules and stuff work.

Next was a gathering on the playground for games of tug of war and a basketball free throw shootout. The tug of war was pretty hilarious. a whole lotta kids on either side, pulling a thick rope and lots of shouting and craziness and what looked like an unorganized mess. but that's how it's supposed to be, I guess. Then winged my way through the "closing ceremony" trying to award winner's certificates to the Australian school. rigged? maybe. And organizing kids and parents and teachers for a group photo. And then they left and all of the teachers rushed to the cafeteria to eat our yummy eggplant before all the food got put away.

Good fun, and a really welcome break from the teaching schedule.