On Wednesday 23rd of October, Columba College hosted the Otago Regional Chinese prize giving at Constance Hall.

Mr. Everett opened the ceremony with a welcome speech, extending a warm greeting to Dr. Song, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury (CIUC), Professor Huang, the Institute’s Deputy Director, the CIUC staff.

Students, parents, and teachers from many schools attended the prize giving, including Columba College, Bayfield High School, The Catlins Area School, South Otago High School, Balmacewen Intermediate, Stirling School, and Rosebank Primary School.

We were delighted to watch Year 8 student Sophie and Year 10 student Reilly perform “Millennial Destiny” (回梦仙游, huí mèng xiān yóu) using the Chinese flute (笛子, dí zi) and the guzheng (古筝, gǔ zhēng). The dí zi is a traditional transverse flute, while the gǔ zhēng is an ancient Chinese string instrument. Their performance beautifully expressed a longing for one’s hometown.

Mr. Li, the Mandarin Language Assistant (MLA) from the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury, gave a captivating demonstration of Tai Chi Fans during the prize-giving ceremony.

Miss Li, our Mandarin Language Assistant (MLA), and Cecilia, our International Prefect, managed the microphones throughout the event. The ceremony proceeded smoothly and successfully.

This year, the Confucius Institute also organized three lucky draws, adding extra excitement to the event.

2024  Confucius Classroom Excellent Learners’ Prize

Columba Chinese students participate in the New Zealand Soft-Pen and Hard-Pen Calligraphy competition organised by Confucius Institute each year. 1,966 students took part in the 2024 Calligraphy Competition. Congratulations to the following Columba winners:

Year 1 - Thea, Miller

Year 2 - Edgar, Phoebe

Year 3 - Elyse, Harper

Year 4 - Iris, Valerie

Year 5 - Caitlyn, Ashreya

Year 6 - Carson, Nalini

Year 7 - Cate, Miya, Rosie, Madeleine

Year 8 - Hilarie, Bridget, Nini, Lucia, Olivia, Sophie

Year 9 - Aria, Lucy, Lily, Taylor

Year 10 - Brianna, Macy

Year 11-13 - Susan, Maddi

Chinese Gate - Dina, Eve

Hard Pen Calligraphy Non-Native Primary, Intermediate & Secondary Category

Year 8 - Ayesha, 1st Prize风

Year 9 - Dina, 2nd Prize 鹿柴, Merit Secondary-Brush Pen 山高水长

Year 10 - Haneen, 2nd Prize寻隐者不遇

Year 10 - Ava, 3rd Prize 忆江南

Year 11 - Celina, 3rd Prize 咏鹅

Year 11 - Jessica, 3rd Prize 咏鹅

Year 11 - Maddi, 3rd Prize 赠汪伦

Brush Pen Calligraphy Non-Native Secondary Category

Year 13 - Pat, 2nd Prize不负韶华, Merit Secondary-Hard Pen 谷风

Hard Pen Calligraphy Native Primary, Intermediate & Secondary Category

Year 6 - Sarina 李萨日娜 3rd Prize 三字经

Year 8 - Guoguo, 杨果果 2nd Prize 静夜思, Merit Primary-Brush Pen 前程似锦

Year 12 - Susan, 2nd Prize 清塘荷韵, Merit Secondary-Brush Pen 不负韶华

Year 11 - Hebe, 3rd Prize 赠汪伦

Year 13 - Jeanne, 3rd Prize 清塘荷韵

Brush Pen Calligraphy Native Primary, Intermediate & Secondary Category

Year 3 - Daisy, 蒋梓薇 3rd Prize 千字文

Year 12 - Kimber, 3rd Prize 不负韶华

Merit Prize Primary, Intermediate & Secondary

Columba College was honoured to receive the “2024 Best School” award. Mr. Everett proudly accepted the award on stage, while Ms. Ding and Miss Li were recognized with the “2024 Best Coach” award for their exceptional contributions.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Everett, the school management team, staff, teachers, students, and parents who attended the prize giving. Special appreciation goes to Mr. Saul Moore for preparing and managing the technology in the hall, and to Mr. Des Hudson for coordinating the setup. We are also grateful to our dedicated student volunteers Emily, Hayley, Darcy, Tegan, Susan, Lexi, Hebe, Celina, and Jemima whose efforts ensured the event ran smoothly.