Drama education has been an integral part of the British curriculum for several decades as a fundamental course and one of the approaches for pupils to practice their native language. Musicals, as a combination of music, song, dance and drama, allow pupils to master skills such as singing, dancing and acting. It unlocks language potential and improves self-confidence, social interactions and teamwork skills. Research from Deakin University points out that drama training has a valuable role in the second language learning environment, and the Social Science Research Unit at the Institute of Education confirms that pupils participating in drama show a marked increase in self-confidence at school.
Since the school’s founding year, the performing arts department at Wellington College Hangzhou has provided our pupils with a broad platform to showcase their talents in music, drama and dance. With a world-class grand theatre, a strong teaching team including a former London Philharmonic Choir member, an immersive language learning environment and an open and inclusive teaching style, our pupils are growing and thriving holistically. In the third “We are Hiba” series for this school year, we interviewed the mother of Lucky, a stunning musical performer in our annual musical productions. She shared with us why the family chose Hiba Academy Hangzhou and talked about the growth and development of her child at Hiba. Let us find out more from Lucky’s mother.
What attracted you to choose Hiba for your child?
We joined Hiba in 2018, when the school was first established. I remember we were immediately amazed by the spectacular facilities the moment we arrived on campus for our interview. The Head of Primary conducted the interview with us and we were impressed by how polite all the staff were and how they treated the pupils with equality and respect. Over the past five years, Lucky has always been eager to return to school at the end of every holiday, saying, “I cannot wait to go back to school and reunite with my teachers and friends!” It means he is happy and healthy in school and we are pleased to see that.
What was the biggest challenge Lucky faced when he joined Hiba?
How did he gradually overcome his challenges at Hiba?
The biggest challenge Lucky faced when he joined Hiba was language, the learning of English. Subjects at Hiba are conducted in English or bilingually, except for the Chinese course, so we were naturally concerned about whether he could understand the teachers. However, it turned out that in the lower grades, there are Chinese teachers who support the pupils by translating and helping with transition to this teaching style. In retrospect, I think it is more beneficial for children to start receiving bilingual education as early as possible.
What has been the biggest surprise for you since Lucky joined Hiba?
I have been pleasantly surprised by the wonderfully diverse School Activities (SA) programme provided by the school because it gives children a wide range of options to develop their interests and strengths.
Since its establishment, Hiba Academy Hangzhou has had a wide range of School Activities (SAs) that supplement and enhance life at the school. The academic, creative, performing arts and physical SAs at Hiba allow pupils to extend and challenge their learning and development while also creating opportunities to nurture talent and foster excellence in fields beyond those encountered in the exam hall. Click the picture below to learn more about the astonishing provision of School Activities.
Lucky was one of the leading characters in WCH annual musical production“Seussical Jr”. How do you think this experience has influenced his life and learning?
Through his SA lessons, Lucky was cast as Horton the Elephant, one of the main characters, in the annual musical called "Seussical". The moment I saw him confidently performing on stage, I was filled with gratitude to the school for exploring his potential in so many ways and letting me see my child shine. I also noticed that his English had improved incredibly through his learning of the play. This year, Lucky continued to improve by participating in the upcoming annual musical "The Wizard of Oz" and was selected to play the role of "The Scarecrow". Each week, they learn from the teachers about the script and rehearse together, marching forward to realise their drama dreams.
The annual musical production is a truly special extravaganza at Hiba and Wellington. I learned that the school has invested significantly in this provision: there are separate teachers responsible for performing arts, costumes, and stage design who deliver specialised teaching, and it costs a fortune for the school to purchase the copyrights for these musicals. The finales of these musicals are produced after many rounds of auditions and rehearsals before they are officially performed on the stage, and each character has their own costumes and stylings, which makes children feel like movie stars. It is an exciting, brand-new teaching approach that Lucky has never had the opportunity to experience before. He was so happy to be cast and practised the scripts at home every day when he came back from school, even asked me to help him practice the scenes. His spoken English, communication and cooperation skills improved dramatically during this process, and he gained a deeper understanding of such Hiba values as responsibility and respect. Seeing him investing so much effort and enthusiasm into the musicals, I understood why Hiba teachers emphasise the importance of self-motivation. As a parent, I am glad to see Lucky grow into a more confident version of himself.
From a parent's perspective, are there any positive changes you have observed in Lucky since he started at Hiba Academy Hangzhou?
Since joining Hiba, Lucky has developed a more global perspective. He recognises more possibilities available to him and understands there are many options for his life ahead.
Among the five Hiba values, which one do you and your family value the most?
Integrity, kindness, respect, courage and responsibility – these five Hiba values have always been recognised and valued in our family. Many teachers praised Lucky for having integrity and I am incredibly pleased to hear that.
Is there anything you would like to share with others?
I want to say to parents that by showing more possibilities to children, you find what makes them unique and shine. Support them to courageously be themselves, and then they will grow to become better versions of themselves.
At Hiba Academy Hangzhou in Wellington College Hangzhou, we aspire to create a caring, bilingual community that develops well-rounded individuals with strong values and the skills to thrive within an ever-changing global society. Community is at the centre of all we do at Hiba. We continuously strive to work with our parents, staff and pupils to develop that strong sense of community that makes our school unique. In this series of ‘We Are Hiba’ articles, we aim to tell our families’ stories and highlight their special contributions to our community.
