Focus on China

During the week of 7th – 11th July, staff and pupils at Cardinal Heenan High School, Meanwood, will add an oriental element to their curriculum. Alex Macdonald, from the Chinese Cultural Takeaway, has helped staff design a programme of activities aimed at helping students understand more about the most populated nation on earth. They will have an opportunity to perform a traditional Chinese lion dance, practice calligraphy, cook Chinese food, discover China’s history and geography and even learn some T’ai Chi moves!

In celebration of the forthcoming Olympics, pupils will be going head to head in a mock tournament culminating in a relay event at the end of the week. Each has been assigned one of seven Chinese cities for which they will compete. Leeds University students from each of these cities will visit to tell pupils about their homeland and what it is like growing up in China.

Pupils will also have the opportunity to debate some of the controversial issues facing China – such as how the growth of China’s economy will impact the rest of the world and why there were protests during the Olympic torch relay. Eunice King, Director of Language College at Cardinal Heenan said “As a Specialist Language College we are always looking for new ways to raise cultural awareness and promote wider learning amongst our pupils”.