Ni Hao from China

This week I have been in Beijing at the invitation of the Beijing University for Language and Culture. There are twelve principals in the delegation and this is my first time in China. From here we will travel to Gansu, Langzhou, Shandan, and our Dunedin sister city Shanghai. 

Our links with China are deep and strong. Every day here we see parallels of culture that are familiar and we have experiences that show that we are different but the same. Today we visited Beijing 101 Middle School where we spoke with Grade 9 students who were full of teenage energy, curiosity and dreams - just like ours. 

The world is global and changing rapidly. This morning we visited the I-Fly headquarters highlighting advancements in artificial intelligence. In the deep history and traditions of China we also see the future and what is possible. 

The tour is based around following in the footsteps of Rewi Alley - a New Zealander who pioneered education based around the heart, hands and mind in China for 60 years. At Otago Girls’ High School education is very much about the heart, hands and mind. We need all three to be connected in order to create balance, progress and wellbeing in our life. 

Beijing is a city of over 20 million people and yet there are parks, green spaces, a very efficient subway and the traffic moves. The Birds Nest, Cube, Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City bring emotions of awe and tragedy simultaneously. 

My grateful thanks goes to the Senior Leadership Team and staff who are doing a brilliant job in my absence. Congratulations to both the staff and the students for a huge effort in learning this term. Students should reflect well in the holidays on their next steps and parents please support your child in thinking about this. 

In the words of Confucius: 

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals; adjust the action steps."

Ngā mihi nui