Opening Confucius Classrooms in Wellington and Wanganui

Wellington College and Wanganui High School open Confucius Classroom

Opening ceremony of the new Confucius classroom at Wellington College

The Confucius Institute at VUW has recently celebrated the opening of two Confucius Classrooms, at Wellington College and Wanganui High School respectively. On Wednesday 22 May the Confucius Institute opened a Confucius Classroom at Wellington College during the Year 9 and 10 assembly. Present at the ceremony were His Excellency Mr Xu Jianguo, Chinese Ambassador to NZ, Graeme R Mitchell, Pro-Chancellor at VUW, and other local VIPs. Headmaster Roger Moses outlined the growth of school’s Chinese programme. Student Caleb Dunn spoke in fluent Chinese about his travels in China. The plaque was unveiled by Roger Moses and Professor Neil Quigley. Years 9 and 10 were then treated to a Chinese martial arts and music performance by the Shaolin Performance Troupe sent by Hanban, the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing

A Shaolin troupe performs for the opening of the Confucius classroom at Wanganui High School

On Tuesday 21 May a similar ceremony was held at Wanganui High School to mark the opening of its Confucius Classroom, complete with an impressive powhiri and Chinese martial arts performances. Chinese Embassy Education Counsellor Mr Wang Shenggang, Wanganui District MP Chester Burrows, Wanganui Mayor Annette Main and other local dignitaries attended the ceremony.

With the opening of the two new Confucius Classrooms and a pre-existing one at Rotorua Boys High School, the Confucius Institute at VUW now supervises three Confucius Classrooms in the Lower North Island. These Confucius Classrooms function as school-based Chinese learning hubs to provide curriculum and programme support to the schools and local communities.