Hangzhou Hunt
Hangzhou 11
Friday, August 18, 2023
The biggest and most thrilling Hangzhou Hunt ever took place on a very hot day in late August. The energy running through the HZ11 year group (the largest in history BY FAR) was palpable. Fresh off the airplane, they couldn't wait to get started on their first big challenge of the year and aim to take home the inaugural Hangzhou Hunt TROPHY.
The day began with a brief introduction from Mr. Pollock and Chen Yuan laoshi, during which they learned that all staff members had mysteriously escaped campus and were hiding out somewhere in the city. They were informed of their mission to track down those members of staff using a special app that identified their locations. Students were free to use the bus, subway, or their feet.
In a thrilling new twist, teachers were given special tokens with different point values. Students who found a particular person first received 3 points. The next group to find that teacher received 2 points, and the final group received 1 point AND added that staff member to their team.
Staff members were spread out throughout the city in positions that were designed to gradually guide them towards the ending point near the West Lake
The results show a dominant performance by 2nd floor, especially the S201 dorm
S201 got off to a great start, locating Mr. Cruickhank at 9:00 with the first find of the day! They receive 3 points. As a surprise bonus, Ms. Doleman was there and was captured. She remains with S201 for the rest of the day.
A few minutes later, He laoshi was found by N201 near a bridge along a canal very close to school. As the first to find him, they received 3 points!
N402 found not only Ms. Lee, but also a surprise guest, Ms. Thrush. They received 3 points, but tried to lobby for a multi-teacher bonus. Bravely, Ms. Lee stood her ground and said no! 😂
Mr. Cruickshank tried to outrun S202 in a fork along the canal walk, but the fast team caught him at 9:15 and received 2 points!
N302 became the third and final group to find Mr. Cruickshank. With all of his tokens gone, he joins N302 on their quest to find more staff members.
N202 finds Ms. Lee for 2 points at 9:20. She reports that everyone is in good spirits and having a good sweat!
S302 finds He laoshi by the canal for 2 points
S301 becomes the first group to locate Mr. Garrett. For their efforts, they were rewarded with 3 points
With no tokens remaining, He laoshi has been captured by S402, who receives 1 point and He laoshi's services for the rest of the morning
Qianqian was found for the first time this morning walking along the canal near 天目里, a trendy outdoor shopping area. S202 receives the biggest prize of 3 points. They are currently in the lead with 5 points
There was a heated race to find Mr. Garrett, with two groups converging on him at the same time. N202 was first, receiving 2 points
N402 was just behind, taking Mr. Garrett's final token at 10:00am. Mr. Garrett joins the group.
N302 became the first group to find Ms. Freya, taking home 3 points. They move into second place, with 4 points!
S401 found Zhang laoshi enjoying her morning at the wonderful children's park by the West Lake. However, they had to earn their 3 points, playing a game called "What’s in the Zoo" (动物园里有什么) before receiving their token. Everyone had to say the name of a different animal in Chinese.
N301 received 2 points for finding Zhang laoshi. To get the token that had to play the game "What’s in the Plane ? (飞机里有什么) Everyone had to say a different thing in Chinese.
Freya was next to be found. N201 spotted her at 10:29 and received 2 points
I think we have a winner for the best costume of the day! Carol always impresses with her Hangzhou Hunt apparel, and today she was dressed as a sanitation worker, complete with a bag filled with plastic bottles. Three teams were near her, but all were fooled by her clothing. Finally, S402 recognized her around 10:30 and received 3 points.
Just moments later, Tianqi was seen by S201 on 青芝坞 (Qingzhiwu), a lovely and lively street near the botanical gardens. The team received 3 points for the find.
Once "sanitation worker" Carol was identified, she was found quickly by two other dorm groups. First was S301 at 10:42
Next was N202 at 10:44. They got one point and took Carol (now out of tokens) with them.
N401 was the first dorm to find Lin laoshi, who was in a shopping mall wearing traditional Chinese clothing. There was a tense moment as she could hear students standing behind her discussing where she might be.
N202 found Ms Lee and took her last token. They walked right past her as she was sitting in Starbucks, but eventually tracked her down. Welcome to the group, Ms. Lee!
Operations Manager Zhao Jia was enjoying some time near 黄龙洞 (Yellow Dragon Cave) when he was found by S302. The dorm received 3 points!
S401 located Mr. Warburton at 六公园, a park near the West Lake famous for hosting English corners. The dorm received 3 points for being first to find him.
S201 has had an incredible day so far, yet again being the first to find a teacher. This time it was Song laoshi, who was enjoying a moment in nature with her twins when she was identified at 10:50
N302 found Zhao Jia at 11:00 and received 2 points!
In a funny moment, N301 took a bubble tea break and inadvertently stumbled upon another group taking photos with Lin laoshi. They took her final token, and Lin laoshi joined the Hunt
Mrs. Pollock made S201 work for her valuable 3 point token. To receive the points, the group had to serenade her by the West Lake 🤣. S201 is unstoppable!
The performances for Mrs. Pollock continue, with S302 singing her a kindergarten song and receiving 2 points 🎤
S201 is determined to break some Hangzhou Hunt records today! They were first to find yet another teacher, Ms. Karagas. 3 more points for S201
Mrs. Pollock is out of tokens, as N302 receives 1 point and the joyful presence of Mrs. Pollock for the rest of the morning
It was a photo finish, as two dorms raced to be the first to find Ms. Hsieh. S402 arrived just one minute before N401, receiving 3 points
N401 posing with Ms. Hsieh near Wulin Square at 11:30am after receiving a 2-point token
Zhang laoshi continued her games, asking N202 to say one thing found in CIS (in Chinese).
S201 (really, again?) found Mr. Andrews near the West Lake at 11:39, and picked up 3 more points in the process
Ms. Karagas was next to be found. S302 receives 2 points!
Seriously...what do they know that the other groups don't know? S201 has once again been the first to discover a teacher. Wang laoshi handed over her 3-point token at 孤山公园 (Gushan Park) on the north bank of the West Lake
It didn't take long for Mr. Andrews to be spotted again. S302 receives two more points!
S202 identifies Mr. Warburton near the West Lake at 12:05 and pulls in two more points
Mr. Andrews is out of tokens, and joins N302 after playing a fun game of charades
Just moments before the conclusion of the Hangzhou Hunt, N202 discovers Dr. Lewis at the popular Kerry Center mall. They receive 3 points!
S402 is right behind them, as they add 2 points from Dr. Lewis to their haul
The final find of the day occurred just as time was expiring. At precisely 12:30, N302 happened to find BOTH Song laoshi and Tianqi as they were getting ready to leave for lunch. That's two points each!
S201 was awarded the first ever Hangzhou Hunt trophy at assembly on Monday, January 8. Congrats, guys!