Keystone Magazine 3rd Issue | Page 16

Cover Story experience for students, parents and teachers alike.” Sometimes it is about not letting traditions slip away from memory, and at other times it is about not letting our favorite memories slip away, as grade 9 student Nancy Li remembers from her Experiential Learning trip to Suzhou. “My great grandmother used to tell me stories of her home town, Suzhou, about how she met my great grandfather there, about living through the Cultural Revolution, and so many other stories. Now she is 96 years old, and does not remember her children or grandchildren, even me, but she remembers Suzhou. Having gone to Suzhou on this study trip, I can see why she held on to it. Like her, Suzhou is soft and beautiful but tough.” For many Keystone students from grades 4 to 9, the Experiential Learning trips to various provinces of China were not only about discovering the country and its diversity, but also about recognizing themselves, their families and their roots. Culture and traditions offer plenty of opportunities to explore and experience home roots. However they are most ingrained in the conditions of social coexistence and opportunities of social interaction. It is in the social sphere that the journey of discovery, sometimes, becomes unconsciously and subconsciously normal, normalized, and a reflection of who we are or who we are going to be. Primary school homeroom teacher Lei Junfang remembers one such instance: “One of my student’s mother told me that on seeing a child behaving badly in public, my student turned around and said: “mum, maybe he hasn’t learned ‘respect,’ which is part of my school’s five values. He should have 12 The Keystone Magazine come to Keystone.” Nothing brings me more gratification than knowing that my students have truly internalized these traditional values.” It is with similar gratitude that a grade 7 mother feels pride in her son who composed a poem for her on Mother’s Day. She believes it is a sign of respect not only for her, but also for all those who have helped her son become who he is. The five Shared Values – Compassion, Justice, Respect, Wisdom and Hone