On Thursday, October 26th a prize-giving was held at Constance Hall for students studying Chinese.

Principal, Mrs. Nicol, welcomed Dr. Zhifang Song, Director of Confucius Institute at University of Canterbury (CIUC), and Prof. Qianhua Yu, Deputy Director of CIUC. Teachers, ākonga, and whanau from Columba College, Bayfield High School, Maori Hill School, and Balclutha School attended the successful event.

Rebekah (Y12) delighted the audience with her Tai Chi fan dance, Amber (Y13) performed a beautiful piece on the traditional Chinese instrument Gu Zheng, and Ms. Wang gave a skillful demonstration of the Tai Chi sword.

We were very proud to see a number of Columba College students received prizes at the award ceremony.

2023 Confucius Classroom Excellent Learners’ Prize

Year 1: Archie, Vivienne 

Year 2: Stella, Daisy 

Year 3: Tauriel, Poppy 

Year 4: Hugh, Claudia 

Year 5: Edward, Linda 

Year 6: Hugh, Abrielle 

Year 7: Lily, Hanna, Alice, Sophie

Year 8: Kate, Haze, Esmae, Samantha

Year 9: Ava, Zara

Year 10: Kiana, Juliet

Year 12: Rebekah

Chinese G.A.T.E: Lia (Yr 10), Avani (Yr 10)

Each year, Columba students studying Chinese participate in the New Zealand Soft-Pen and Hard-Pen Calligraphy competition organised by the Confucius Institute. This year 1,520 students across New Zealand participated in the 2023 Calligraphy Competition. Many congratulations go to the following Columba students:

Brush-Pen Calligraphy Native Intermediate & Secondary Category

Year 13: Elaina, 1st prize, 平安贴

Year 13: Linda, 2nd prize, 大林寺桃花

Hard-Pen Calligraphy Non-Native Intermediate & Secondary Category

Year 12: Tessa, 2nd prize, 忆江南

Hard-Pen Calligraphy Native Intermediate & Secondary Category

Year 13: Linda, 1st prize, 念奴娇·杏花杨柳

Year 13: Elaina, 2nd prize, 满江红·写怀

Year 13: Judy, 2nd prize, 天净沙·秋思

Year 12: Cecilia, 3rd prize, 丑奴儿·书博山道中壁

Year 11: Susan, 3rd prize, 鹿柴

Merit Prize Intermediate & Secondary

Year 4: Ella, 三字经

Year 4: Caitlyn, 三字经

Year 5: Georgie, 画

Year 6: Gwendolyn, 三字经

Year 8: Charlotte, 兔年大吉

Year 8: Allena, 咏雪&明日歌

Year 10: Hebe, 鹿柴

Year 11: Susan, 兔年大吉

Year 12: Cecilia, 福兔迎春

Year 12: Rebekah, 早发白帝城

Ms. Ding and Miss. Li were awarded the  Best Coach 2023, and Mrs. Nicol accepted the Best School 2023 award on behalf of Columba College,  

We would like to thank Mrs. Nicol, the school management team, staff, teachers, students and whanau who came to the Chinese prize-giving event. A big thank you also goes to Mr. Moore for preparing and managing the technology facilities at Constance Hall. We would also like to thank our student volunteers: Judy, Elaina, Tessa, Pat, Kiana, and Juliet for their help at the event.