Noteworthy News

GCSE Mandarin Theatre Trip Student Feedback & Competition 

Thank you for your support for the GCSE Mandarin Theatre Trip to watch My Neighbour Totoro. 

Students had a fantastic time, and we received very positive feedback following the trip.

• 73% of students rated the trip 5 stars; 24% rated the trip 4 stars

• 80% of students said the trip increased their interest or motivation in GCSE Mandarin

• 78% of students are excited for the Totoro Mini Picture Book Competition (details below & on Google Classroom)

The things students enjoyed most were the theatre performance, spending time with friends, and, of course, the ice cream!

The trip gave students the opportunity to experience live theatre beyond the classroom while exploring themes linked to their GCSE Mandarin studies, including family, the environment, and everyday life. We hope this experience continues to inspire students’ creativity and confidence in Mandarin learning.

“It was so interesting travelling on a coach and seeing all of Central London. The show was incredible, it had such an amazing storyline and the set was amazing. We even got ice cream in the interval! The trip was so much fun and I can't wait to go on more trips like this.” - Scarlett, Year 9

“I thought the trip was wonderful, and the show was very detailed and magical. The ice cream was amazing too!” Asal, Year 9

“I think the trip to watch My Neighbour Totoro was beyond excellent! It was such a fun experience, and now the songs are stuck in my head. I really hope we can see other plays in the future!” Ayne, Year 10

“The ice cream was amazing and we got the best view/seats.” Amelia, Year 9

“I thought the Totoro trip was an incredible experience. It was a really good show, not to forget the ice cream. I would definitely want to do it again. Thank you Ms Woo for organising it!” Meera, Year 9

Totoro Mini Picture Book Competition

Students are invited to create a mini picture book from the perspective of any character in My Neighbour Totoro.

This competition encourages students to develop their creativity, storytelling, and Mandarin writing skills through a fun follow-up activity linked to the trip. All details (eg. requirements, language support, and submission instructions) are available on Google Classroom.

Deadline: Friday 5 June

Prizes (educational gift vouchers; selected through anonymous voting)

• Teacher’s Favourite £20 

• Best Language (Mandarin) £20

• Best Creativity / Design £20

*Students who were unable to attend the Totoro theatre trip can speak to Ms Woo so we can arrange a movie afternoon at school to watch the film together.

*Please see Ms Woo or Ms Wang if you would like to borrow colouring materials for your mini book.

Year 7 PGL May 2026

“Marchant’s Hill PGL: three days of pure adventure. From amazing activities to unforgettable nights, it was a weekend I will never forget!  Saturday was packed with activities; the giant swing was a real adrenaline rush, and raft building was a fun challenge that needed teamwork. Laser tag in the forest was super cool, and the silent disco was a blast whilst everyone danced to their favourite songs.  Sunday brought more adventures with Jacob’s Ladder, which was a bit scary, but so rewarding when we reached the top. Axe-throwing was fun as I actually made it onto the wooden board. By the end of the trip, everyone was tired but full of great memories.” Stacey

“PGL was one of my favourite events of Year 7!  Once we arrived, I took one look and knew that I was going to love it: right and left, up and down, I could see adventure all around me. As soon as we started the activities, we got put into our groups and I was with my friends which made me super happy.  I had so much fun, that I didn't want to leave! I really relished my visit and the memories will stay with me forever.” Maya C

“Our first activity was raft building (where we built rafts, duh!) and as we got on, our shoes were immediately soaked to the brim with water. We started to row the boat. Across from us was another group (who we fought water wars with by splashing each other) and in the end I was the only one not to get completely soaked out of my team.” Ido

“The activities were brilliant and pushed us out of our comfort zones. In orienteering, we learned how to read maps properly and work as a team to find the checkpoints. It really helped us improve our communication and problem-solving skills. The giant swing was definitely a highlight, even though it was quite scary at first! It took a lot of bravery to pull the cord, but it taught us to conquer our fears and trust each other. We didn't just have fun; we also learned a lot about leadership, resilience, and working together. It was an unforgettable experience that brought our whole group closer together especially the disco, it was filled with creative moves and different dances!”   Carine

“PGL was one of my favourite experiences during my time at CCF so far. The activities were really fun as I got to do things that I enjoy and bond with new people while doing them. For every activity, you have a trained instructor to keep you. The things you do there might look scary, but when you do them with your friends, they become some of the most enjoyable things on the planet.” Acer

“Every aspect of this trip was enjoyable from the activities to the coach ride; everything was absolutely amazing. One of my favourite activities was Jacob's ladder because it encouraged me to work in a team with my classmates. I got to the top which was one of my best achievements over PGL. I also really enjoyed rafting, even though I fell in! I had so much fun, especially on the giant swing (I went to the top). The food was amazing - it was one of the highlights - as well as the giftshop, which supplied me with plenty of snacks to enjoy. This trip pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and helped me make lots more friends and meet different people.” Heather