Meet Our Teachers
Every year, Mr. Mao and other teachers from the
educational philosophy and curriculum.
school team will take their students to Wushu com-
petitions in Beijing and other cities across China.
“Take the simple fist and palm salute as an example,”
Their purpose is simple: to provide children with Mr. Mao said. “This is not a casual action; it carries
the opportunity to present and practice their skills. a lot of ancient wisdom and philosophy. The left
Mr. Mao believes that participation in competitions palm covers the right palm, because the Chinese
is a valuable life experience for the children. From people mainly use the right hand, while the right
the nervousness facing their first competition to fist is a symbol of brave warriors. Putting the left
the calm confidence going into their latter experi- hand on the right hand means ‘stop attacking’,
ences, the students grow up step-by-step through which reflects the Chinese tradition of treating
the competitions. This experience greatly improves each other with courtesy.”
the children’s ability to adapt and face pressure.
The opportunity to perform on a bigger stage As one saying goes, “Stopping conflict is the essence
outside of the school campus also opens their eyes of Wushu”, since this martial art was invented to
and boosts their self-confidence.
protect China from invasion and achieve the goal of
maintaining peace.
The members of the Wushu team have performed
well in several competitions. At the 15th Beijing
From its origins, development, and evolution
Children’s Wushu Competition in June last year, to the classification and details of every posture
the Keystone Wushu team won 14 gold medals and weapon, every aspect of Wushu is intricately
and 10 silver medals, and received an award entwined with Chinese culture.
for “Contributions to Promoting Wushu Among
Children.” Both the teachers and parents are
In the future, Keystone’s Chinese students will
delighted with this achievement, which rewards probably leave their home country and explore the
the children's hard work and spurs them to aim for world. Before they do that, they must understand
new heights. their own culture and be proud of where they come
from.
Wushu: Chinese Cultural Heritage
When asked why they chose to join the team, the
students’ responses were simple and often very
Learning Wushu helps the students strengthen
similar: they enjoy practicing Wushu, they are
their body and cultivate a calm temperament. happy to study it with a team, and their progress
However, for Mr. Mao, the Chinese cultural ele- gives them a great sense of fulfillment. Whatever
ments contained in the practice of Wushu are just the reason, they are all inseparable from the efforts
as important, if not more so. Children who attend of Mr. Mao and the other Wushu teachers. Only
Keystone all have an international vision, a global such dedicated teachers can produce students who
awareness, and a spirit of questioning and explor- are willing to learn and enjoy learning.
ing. However, teaching children the profound
traditions of Chinese culture and helping them
Learning Wushu is a long and arduous journey, but
build their own cultural identity is one of the three it is also something worth fighting for. It is hoped
cornerstones of Keystone education. that all the children will, like Mr. Mao, be grateful
to themselves for the persistent efforts that they
In Mr. Mao’s words, Wushu is a key part of the
have put in.
Chinese Thread that runs through Keystone’s
The Keystone Magazine 43