2025-2026 School Events

Ms Kay’s Speech Under the Flag (May, 2026)

Mental Health Matters

In your head, I want you to think about an answer to this situation.

Have you ever fallen down while running around or going up the stairs? It’s possible a lot of you have.

Now, what do you do when a friend falls down? You don’t run over and yell, 'You're so clumsy! Why can’t you run properly?!' Right?

Of course not! You say, 'Are you okay?' and you help them up. That’s being kind.

Now, I want to ask you a trickier question.

When YOU make a mistake—like you trip, or you get a wrong answer in class, or you miss a goal in football—what do you say to YOURSELF?

Do you say, 'I’m not smart,' or 'I’m terrible at this'?

A lot of us do that. And that’s where I want to talk about something super important: mental health."

Mental health is a big phrase, but it’s really simple. It’s just how you feel on the inside.

It’s your thoughts, your worries, your happiness, and your sadness.

Just like your body can get a scraped knee or a cold, your mind can get tired or feel heavy.

That is completely normal.

Everyone—every single person here—has mental health.

Just like you need to eat vegetables and run around to keep your body strong, you need to be kind to yourself to keep your mind strong.

So, what does 'being kind to yourself' actually look like?

Let me give you three easy tricks.

Number one: Talk to yourself like you would talk to your best friend. If your best friend spills their juice, you wouldn’t call them clumsy. You’d say, 'Oops, no big deal.' So when you mess up, say that to YOURSELF. 'Oops, no big deal.'

Number two: It’s okay to not be okay. Have you ever felt grumpy, scared, or really sad? That’s your brain waving a little flag saying, 'I need a break!' Being kind to yourself means listening to that flag. It means saying, 'I feel grumpy, so I’m going to take three deep breaths,' or it could mean asking a friend or parent for a hug.

Number three: Celebrate the small stuff. You don’t have to be the best reader or the fastest runner. Did you try your best today? Did you help someone? Did you just get out of bed when you were feeling shy? That’s a WIN. Say to yourself, 'Good job, me.'"

So here is my challenge for all of you this week. Every night before you go to sleep, think of one thing you did right. Even if it was tiny. And then whisper to yourself: 'I am doing my best, and my best is good enough.'

Remember: your mind matters. Be strong. Be brave. And always, always be kind—especially to the person in the mirror.

2026 Open House

Open House for the whole Elementary school was on Saturday April 18^th, 2026.

Most of the 1,900 students and an estimated 2,000+ parents and visitors were at the school to watch English and Chinese demonstration lessons as well as take part in some other Activities around the school, including a very special concert, that featured G4 students and teachers, an English Drama and musical of Pinocchio put on by G5 and G6 presented recitations in English and Chinese!

Clifford’s Open House program in the English and Chinese classes give parents and guests a glimpse into our students’ classroom and school life.

There was a lot of student work on display as well, from all departments in the school.

Thank you to all the teachers and parents who came to our Elementary Open House event, and thanks most of all to the fantastic teachers and students who put so much work into preparation for the Open House!!

English classes

March into Reading Reward Day Finale

Speech Under the Flag:

Exercise – Dale Sparenberg (April, 2026)

What if I told you there was a way to feel better both emotionally and physically though health and exercise?

When we talk about health, we focus on the physical - weight, muscles, cholesterol. And yes, those matter. Exercise fights heart disease, diabetes, and strengthens our immune system.

The real power of exercise isn’t just below the neck. It’s above the shoulders. Have you noticed how a problem that feels impossible at your desk seems manageable after a walk? That’s because exercise is the most powerful tool we have for mental health.

Exercise releases endorphins. It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. It sharpens your memory and clears your mind. It can make you happier.

When you exercise, you’re not just building a healthier body. You’re building a resilient and strong mind.

Think about the life you want. It’s not just about how long you live, but how well you live. Do you want to travel without limits? To be able to function throughout the majority of your life?

That future is built on the choices you make today.

The good news; you don’t need a marathon or a two-hour gym session. It’s a 20-minute walk. It’s taking the stairs. It’s dancing in your kitchen. It’s finding something you enjoy and doing it consistently. Life is often times a staircase, your health is the same, so continue to improve one step at a time.

Stop thinking of exercise as something you have to do. Start seeing it as something you get to do. It’s an investment in the most important asset you will ever own: you. Your body is the only place you have to live your life. Treat it with care. Move it. And watch how your energy, your mood, and your future transform.

Thank you everyone, and I hope you live each day to its full potential.

Reading Month Highlight Videos

March into Reading 2026

Clifford Elementary Winter Olympics Reading Month Challenge

Winning at Reading - Together!

March into Reading is the Elementary Bilingual Reading month.

During this month the staff, students and parents are involved in many reading activities to encourage a love for reading.

Guest Readers (March 10 – March 27) – parents, teachers, staff and students come to the classrooms to read stories to the students. Parents, please check your teacher’s notes and newsletters in the Homework folder for an invitation.

Book Fair (March 10, 11, 12, 13) – students can browse and purchase from a wide variety of books at the English book fair – they can pay with wechat on their watches or cash. Parents can also scan the code to order books to be sent home directly.

Peer reading – students in the lower grades and teamed up with students from higher grades and they share books during the library period each week.

DEAR – Drop Everything And Read – everyone in English class stops twice a week for 20 minutes to read to themselves – this includes students and teachers.

Home reading – students keep a record of the minutes they spend reading in their spare time. We aim to read 1,100,000 minutes this year! The students receive whole school rewards through the month for reaching targets.

Book Character Day (April 3) – students dress up as a book character.

Reward day (April 3) – students receive various rewards if they manage to reach their targets. They include a fun outdoor activity, no English homework, a Buffet lunch and a Class party.

Each class also receives a special activity reward based on the number of minutes they have read the whole month!

Reading month is the biggest event for our English program in the Elementary Bilingual program.

We hope everyone joins in and the love for reading grows!

Peer Reading – G4 and G7

Recently, 4.3 embarked on some buddy reading with the 7.1 secondary class. The aim of this program was to develop improved reading skills for both grades. Fourth grade students will develop accountability for their reading and receive tips and examples of how to read with more expression and fluency. Seventh grade students will improve their listening skills by listening for reading errors and developing their sense of responsibility to help others. G7 students also had to show the G4 students how to read with expression, making them try harder and to be good role models to inspire G4 students. It was very successful as a buddy reading activity. We also did some other related activities.

4.3 students prepared by writing self-introduction letters to read to their new G7 buddies. We studied about letter writing and discussed letter structure and important points to include. Students decided to write informal letters and decorate them too to reflect their character. They wrote about themselves and the type of books they like to read. They read these in the first class to their G7 buddies. G7 prepared a survey to help them get to know their G4 friends. This was carried out on the second week. In the third week, they all focused on choosing interesting books together and helping the G4 students to improve their reading skills. In the final week, G7 presented the G4 students with special story books they had written with their buddy in mind.

This process of getting to know an older student has really inspired the G4 students and they would be very excited to go each week. It helped them to be accountable to someone and they learnt great ideas to become better readers! Well done everybody!

Mr D ELS Teacher

Flag Speech: English: A Superpower for Your Dreams

What do you want to be when you grow up? Maybe a scientist?

A pilot? A doctor? Or perhaps a famous explorer, traveling to every corner of the world?

What is your special superpower?

This superpower can help make all of your dreams come true.

That superpower is... the English language!

English is spoken all over the world. It connects people from different countries. And it's the key to many amazing jobs and adventures.

Here is how English is a superpower.

Do you know about China's Tiangong space station?

Chinese astronauts, or "taikonauts," work there with scientists from many countries. They use English to communicate!

If you dream of going to space like Yang Liwei, you'll need English to talk with astronauts from America, Russia, and Europe.

What about sports? Eileen Gu won Olympic gold medals for China.

But she also speaks English, which helped her become famous worldwide. English lets her share China's story with millions of people!

Maybe you want to be a doctor. A lot of medical research from around the world is written in English.

Chinese doctors use English to learn new ways to help people and to share their own discoveries.

Or perhaps you dream of becoming a game designer? Many Chinese game companies create games played all over the world.

English helps them reach players in every country!

Now, think about the things YOU love to do.

Do you love reading stories? English opens up thousands of new books for you - like Harry Potter or stories about dinosaurs and space. You can read them all. (photo 4)

Do you like playing sports? Do you like football, basketball, or swimming? When you travel to competitions or meet athletes from other countries, English helps you make friends and learn new skills!

Maybe you love animals? There are many great books about animals as well as exciting nature discoveries shared by scientists in English!

Think about it - English helps you explore MORE of what you already love!

So, here's a challenge for you.

Starting today, look at English as your friend, not just a school subject.

Every English word you learn is like gaining a new superpower.

Every sentence you practice makes you stronger.

Every time you try to speak English, even if you make mistakes, you're training for your future dreams!

Here is one final thought.

China has always been great at building things. The Great Wall. The Tiangong space station. Amazing cities and modern technology.

But do you know what China's greatest achievement is?

It's YOU!

You are China's future. You are tomorrow's scientists, doctors, artists, and leaders. And English is one of your strengths that will help you to shine!

So, remember:

Learning English isn't about becoming someone else. It's about becoming the BEST version of yourself!

It's about taking your Chinese heart and your brilliant mind - and sharing them with the whole world!

Be brave. Be curious. Be proud. And let English be your superpower!

Ms Jemma and Mr Ward Grade 5 teachers

Flag Speech: Finding Your Passion

You know that feeling you get when you’re doing something you absolutely love? Maybe it’s when you’re drawing a picture and you forget about everything else. Or when you’re kicking a soccer ball, building the tallest Lego tower, or even just helping a friend. That happy, buzzing, excited feeling inside? That’s your spark.

Your passion is the thing that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning. It’s not always something you’re already the best at. It’s just something you love to do.

Now, here’s a big secret for you: Finding your spark isn’t always easy. And that’s okay!

Let’s say you decide you want to learn to play the piano. The first time you sit down, your fingers feel clumsy. You play a few notes, and it sounds more like a cat walking on the keys than a beautiful song. You might think, 'I’m just not good at this. I should quit.'

But that messy, noisy practice is actually your brain getting stronger Every time you struggle, you are growing.

Think of a caterpillar. It’s a cute, right? But one day, it wraps itself up in a chrysalis. The caterpillar has to struggle, all by itself, to break out. But that struggle is what turns it into a beautiful butterfly. Without the struggle, it would never get its wings.

Your learning journey is just like that. The struggle is not a sign that you should stop. It’s a sign that you are about to learn something amazing.

So, what do you do when things get tough?

1. Take a Deep Breath. It’s okay to feel frustrated. Put your pencil down for a minute. Take a big breath in, and blow it out.

2. Ask for Help. Look around. You are surrounded by a team! Your friends and your teachers are your team. We are all here to help each other.

3. Remember Your ‘Why’. Why did you want to try this in the first place? Did you want to draw because you love telling stories?

A challenge for everyone this week is to try something new. Maybe it’s a kind of book you’ve never read, a sport you’ve never tried, or a way of drawing you’ve never done. See if it gives you that little buzz.

You are all so brave, so smart, and so capable. You have sparks inside you waiting to become blazing fires. Don’t be afraid of the struggle. Embrace it. It just means your butterfly wings are getting ready to unfold.

Now, let’s go have a day full of trying, learning, and growing!

Ms Becky Grade 4 Teacher

Flag Speech: The Power of Teamwork and Collaboration

Let me start with a question: Have you ever felt the thrill of winning a game with your friends or the joy of completing a project together?

These moments remind us how powerful teamwork can be. In fact, I remember a time when my friends and I worked together to build a massive LEGO set. It was chaotic at first, but when we started collaborating, we created something amazing!

What is Teamwork?

Teamwork means working together to reach a common goal. And when we collaborate—sharing ideas and supporting one another—amazing things can happen!

Activity 1

Let’s try a little experiment. I want everyone to clap one time all together—ready? (Clap)

Not bad! But let’s try again. I’ll count to three, and on three, everyone claps together. 1…2…3! (Pause for clap)
See how much better that was? When we work together, things are smoother and stronger. That’s teamwork in action!

The basketball superstar Michael Jordan once said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” What he meant is this: you can be the best player on the team, but if you don’t pass the ball, cheer for others, or trust your teammates, your team won’t go very far.

Think about your own class. If one person does all the talking in a group project, is the project as strong? No! But when everyone adds their ideas—one person draws, another writes, another explains—suddenly the project is ten times better. That’s teamwork!

Activity 2

Now, let’s imagine building a LEGO tower. If you try to do it alone, it takes forever. But what if you had three friends? One finds the pieces, one builds the base, and one stacks the tower. Which tower will be taller and stronger—one person’s or the team’s?

That’s right, the team’s! And that’s exactly what Helen Keller meant when she said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Practicing Teamwork Every Day:

So how can we practice teamwork every day?

In the classroom: Share materials and take turns.
On the playground and in the halls: Include others in your game.
At home: Help your family with chores, even the small ones.

Remember this simple phrase: “We is greater than me.”

So, the next time you play, learn, or build something with others, think about Michael Jordan and Helen Keller. Think about passing the ball, sharing the blocks, or cheering for your team. Because when we work together, not only do we achieve more—we also have more fun!

Now, before I go, let’s finish with a chant to remind us what teamwork is all about. Ready?

“When I say TEAM, you say WORK!

26th Elementary Bilingual Sports Games

November 7th and 8th, 2025

Parent Conferences (October, 2025)

Every year in October, soon after Parent Orientation meetings, the Western Teachers begin individual parent meetings. During each week teachers will arrange meetings with the parents of the students in their classes, usually before and after school.

During these meetings teachers discuss each student’s strengths: what they are doing well and development: things they could work on to improve, or next steps in their individual language development.

As each of our students has had different experiences with English, we need to treat each student individually and look at their progress. We have benchmarks we want student to work towards at each grade, and these meetings give a guide to the parents as to how their child is working towards these benchmarks.

Of course, parents usually have questions, and teachers are very happy to answer their questions or address any concerns.

With some teachers teaching almost 70 students, these meetings take some time, but we make sure every parent is met once or twice every school year. We usually conclude the meetings in April. However, at any time during the year parents may request a meeting with their child’s English teacher.

Along with monthly reports and comprehensive end of semester reports, we believe these meetings are an effective way to make sure all parents are given useful, individual and honest information about their child’s English learning right throughout the year.

Halloween is coming

The Joy of Student Life Flag Raising Speech

Matthew Neville - Dean of Lower Elementary (October, 2025)

Today, I want to talk to you about the joy of being a student. You are all on an exciting journey and I want to share why I think these are some of the best days of your life!

Every day, you come to school to discover and learn new things! Whether you’re solving math problems, reading stories, learning English or exploring science, each lesson is like a treasure chest filled with knowledge. Learning is not just about getting good grades; it's also about finding out what you love and what interests you.

From art, IT, sports, and music lessons, you have so many ways to express yourselves! Joining in school activities allows you to discover new talents and interests. These activities are not just fun; they help you build confidence, interact with others, appreciate the talents of other people and work as a team.

Friendships are important. They make your school days brighter and help you grow into kind and caring citizens. School is a place where you meet so many amazing friends. You share laughter, play games, and care about each other. Have fun playing and interacting with your peers, every day.

Of course, school can sometimes be challenging. You might feel stressed about tests or homework. But remember, it’s okay to ask for help! Challenges and mistakes help you grow. Each time you overcome a challenge, you become more confident in yourself. What feels like a big challenge today will not be a problem in the future.

The joy of student life is all around you. It’s in the learning, the friendships, the fun activities, and the achievements. So, embrace this time! Make the most of every moment, support each other, and enjoy the journey of being a student.

Thank you, and have a fantastic day!

Grade 4 Field Trip to Wonderland

At Clifford Upper Elementary, we strongly believe in turning lessons into real-world adventures! Our Grade 4 students recently embarked on a deliciously fun unit exploring "Our Social Life," with a special focus on the wonderful world of restaurants.

The journey began in the classroom, inspired by Mr. Bean’s unforgettable birthday dinner antics. Students prepared by eagerly discussing different types of restaurants, food and rules: the do’s and don’ts. The learning then extended beyond our walls with a field trip to Wonderland. Our budding food critics and restaurateurs put their English skills to the test there, interviewing the owners and staff of various food outlets.

After the trip, the students were tasked with designing their own creative menus and posters. The excitement grew as they teamed up to brainstorm restaurant names, logos, building infrastructure and concepts. They were also required to write a paragraph to attract customers to choose their establishments. This encompassed describing set meals and specialty dishes of their restaurants. At the end, once their crafts were completed, they presented their ideas to their classmates.

This immersive learning was a recipe for success, blending laughter with genuine learning and giving students a memorable taste of using English in daily life. It also connected real-life situations to text learned. Students develop robust critical thinking abilities, learning to analyze themes within a text and draw connections to the world around them. This application of knowledge builds transferrable life skills, delivered through a dynamic and modern blended learning experience that mirrors the interconnected world they live in.

Parent Orientation for the English Department

October 14th, 15th, 16th, 2025

Over three days we held Parent Orientation for the Elementary Bilingual English program. We had three afternoons when parents come to school to learn about the English program from our Western teachers and the Teaching Assistants.

On Tuesday we had Grade 3 and 6, on Wednesday we had Grade 2 and 5, on Thursday we had Grades 1, 4 and the English Language Support Program.

We estimate that we had over 1500 parents coming to the school to hear about their child’s program. The parents heard about the Grade Level English expectations for the year, the curriculum areas that will be covered, the management plans for each teacher, classroom routines, different programs, homework and how to help their children at home.

Each Grade level met together as a group and then went back to the classrooms to see each teacher and the student work around the rooms.

All parents received a “Parent Pack” on October 17^th that outlines all the main points from the Orientation. This Parent Pack can be referred to by the parents at any time, and is a useful document to keep at home.

Thank you to all the parents who came along to hear about our great English program.

Lower Elementary

Upper Elementary

Taking Care of Animals - Flag Raising Speech

Jon Webb – Dean of Upper Elementary (September, 2025)

Have you ever seen a cute puppy wagging its tail on the street? Or heard a bird singing a beautiful song, outside your window? Our world is full of amazing animals! They are our friends and they make our planet a happier and more beautiful place.

But did you know? Our animal friends sometimes need our help. So today, I want to talk about how we can all be superheroes for animals!

First, if you have a pet at home—like a little dog, a fluffy cat, a bunny, or even a goldfish—you have a very important job. You are their guardian! Being a guardian means more than just thinking they are cute. It means we have big responsibilities.

We must make sure they always have clean water to drink and healthy food to eat. We need to keep their home clean and give them lots of love and gentle playtime. Remember, our pets rely on us for everything.

Second, what about the animals we see outside? The birds, the fish, the little insects? We can be kind to them, too! We should never throw trash on the ground because an animal might eat it and get very sick.

We can also be quiet and calm around animals so we don’t scare them. Imagine if a giant started shouting and chasing you! That’s how a little bird feels when we run after it. The best way to appreciate wild animals is to watch them gently from a distance.

In China, we have a beautiful tradition that teaches us to live in harmony with nature. We believe that all living things are connected. By protecting animals, we are also protecting our own home and our future.

So, how can you be an animal superhero?

1. Love your pets and take good care of them.

2. Protect wild animals by keeping our parks and rivers clean.

3. Learn more about animals! Read books and watch documentaries about pandas, tigers, and all the wonderful creatures we share our country with.

Every single one of us can make a difference. If we all choose to be kind and responsible, we can create a world where all animals are safe and happy.

2025-2026 Teachers' Conference

On September 10th over 400 Chinese and international teachers gathered for the 41st Teachers' Day Celebration and Outstanding Faculty and Staff Award Ceremony.

The meeting was presided over by Director Zhang (School Director) in both Chinese and English, he expressed sincere gratitude for everyone’s hard work and achievements in over the past year.

The teachers listened to the speech of Principal Tan Xiaohua. His speech was titled "Teaching is a profession both ordinary and sacred." He reviewed the journey of Clifford School. With its unique bilingual curriculum and impressive educational achievements, it has established a distinctive brand image in the realm of high-quality education. Principal Tan also charted the future direction for the school. He called on all faculty and staff to balance ideals with reality, forging a development path that prioritizes deepening distinctiveness, improving quality, and increasing efficiency.

Elementary School Principal Han Yimin shared three core plans for the school's future development: 1. upholding the educational philosophy of "proficiency in both Chinese and Western languages," 2, breaking through barriers through innovation, focusing on curriculum optimization and teaching model innovation, promoting the deep integration of AI and teaching, strengthening bilingual advantages, expanding practical and innovative courses and 3, strengthening the faculty foundation, providing training and exchange opportunities, and optimizing the evaluation and incentive mechanisms. Foreign teacher Vicky Standring also shared her thoughts. In her eyes, Clifford School is like a close-knit family. Here, teachers provide attentive care and tailored instruction to each student's aptitude. The curriculum is intellectually stimulating and engaging. Students' aspirations are valued, allowing them to truly feel the warmth of a family and face challenges head-on, knowing they are always supported and cared for by a team of Chinese and foreign teachers. "No student is neglected in the classroom. We focus on every child's academic progress, encourage their positive growth, and guide them to think critically, liberate their minds, and express their individuality."

The highlight of the conference was the grand recognition ceremony for outstanding faculty and staff. School leaders presented awards to 24 outstanding staff members from the Middle School, Elementary School, Kindergarten, International Department, and Support Department for their outstanding performance during the previous academic year, paying tribute to their perseverance and dedication.

The Outstanding Western teacher for the Bilingual Elementary was Shawn Hare, a Grade Three English teacher. After the commendations, Chinese representative Ren Danyu and international teacher Michael McMasters stood side by side to give the school oath on behalf of all staff.

2025-2026 Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony for the new school year was held on Monday September 1st, 2025 in the Recreation center. All 1800 students and the teachers attended!

The ceremony was hosted in both Chinese and English by Huang Mengling, Hu Zitong, Li Yinuo, and Wang Youduo.

A new school year, a new beginning. A group of new teachers and first-year students have joined the Clifford Elementary Bilingual School family and they were welcomed with loud applause.

Principal Han delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. She opened the new semester with warm words, encouraging the children to be like "flowers blooming in the sun." She wisely guided everyone to embrace technology while maintaining a humanistic approach, emphasizing that curiosity, empathy, and resilience are the three "golden keys" to a child's growth.

Grade Two English teacher, Ms. Trish, spoke as a representative of the faculty. She passionately encouraged students to embrace second language learning. Drawing on her own experience learning Chinese, she offered three key takeaways: embrace mistakes, apply language daily, and make learning engaging. She emphasized that language is a tool for everyday life, encouraging students to learn naturally and express themselves confidently in real-world contexts through songs and everyday conversations. Ms. Trish's educational philosophy emphasizes emotional connection and fun learning, embodying the distinctive characteristics of our English teachers' approach: inspiring, engaging, and engaging in learning. She encouraged students to explore boldly, express themselves actively, and gain knowledge, friendships, and growth in the new semester.

Officer Kong from the Traffic Publicity Team of the Second Squadron of the Traffic Police Brigade gave a safety education talk for all teachers and students.

The school dance team electrified the audience with a vibrant performance of "Charge Forward".

It was a very welcoming Opening Ceremony, and students went away with lots to consider for the new school year!

2024-2025 School Events

Class of 2025

Our Grade 6 Graduating Classes

Grade Level Assessments (GLAs): May, 2025

On the 12^th, 13^th, 14^th, 15^th of May, Grades Three, Four and Five student took an English assessment to help us determine the students’ English language skills.

This assessment is called the Grade Level Assessment (GLA).

This is a unique to Clifford Elementary Bilingual School assessment that has been used successfully for over 15 years to help us determine the appropriate English class placement for students when they move to G4, G5 and G6 in following school year.

Over three days students undertook a variety of skills assessments in Oral Speaking and Listening, Reading Fluency (oral), Reading Comprehension, Writing and Listening Comprehension. This is a skills based assessment which is different to a content based test or exam.

To be thorough with these placements, we also ask teachers to complete various surveys about each student’s classroom learning to help us decide on the best leveled class for everyone. The whole process isn’t actually concluded until the start of next school year in August when we will finalize the English class lists.

It’s a big process to assess over 1000 students over three days, so thanks goes to all our administrators and teachers for the hard work. But most of all thanks to the students who all did their best, and I am sure they are relieved it’s over…… until next May!

Open House: April, 2025

This year again we were fully open to hold Open House for the whole Elementary school.

Most of the 1,900 students and an estimated 2,000+ parents and visitors were at the school to watch English and Chinese demonstration lessons as well as take part in some other Activities around the school, including a very special concert, that featured various instruments, choirs, dancers and soloists!

The Mad Hatter, with his improper fraction hat size showing, set the tone in Ms. Antasha’s, “Maths-Hatter Madness” lesson on fractions. Students focused on English math terms to identify the types and parts of a fraction. They later expressed their understanding through a timed game where they filled in boxes that correspond with a given fraction. Who says math can’t be fun?

Mr. Rohde’s second graders launched into grammar practice with an energetic game of Pass the Hot Potato! The classroom filled with laughter as students passed around two balloons while fun music was playing. The excitement continued with the Vowel Owl Challenge. Eager hands reached for word cards as students created amusing but practical sentences ("The elephant ate eight apples!") before delivering their cards to the correct vowel owl container.

Clifford’s Open House program in the English and Chinese classes give parents and guests a glimpse into our students’ classroom and school life.

Thank you to all the teachers and parents who came to our Elementary Open House event, and thanks most of all to the fantastic students!!

Lower Elementary Classes (G1 - G3)

Upper Elementary Classes (G4 - G6)

New March into Reading record!

Clifford Elementary students broke their reading month reading minute record this year, reading 1,530,764 minutes, that is over 70,000 minutes more than the record set in 2023 of 1,458,263 minutes. Well done Clifford students you have earned all your rewards; outside reading activity, no homework last weekend, class reading party and a special buffet lunch! It was also great to see all the teachers and students dressed up for Book Character day! We look forward to next year’s March into Reading!

2024-2025 Parent Orientation (October, 2024)

Over six days we held Parent Orientation for the Elementary Bilingual English program. We had six afternoons when parents came to school to learn about the English program from our Western teachers and the Teaching Assistants.

Each grade level came on a different day for a meeting in UE105 Lecture Theater.

The English Language Support Program (ELS) meeting was held the same day as Grade 3.

We estimate that we had over 1600 parents coming to the school to hear about their child’s program. The parents heard about the Grade Level English expectations for the year, the curriculum areas that will be covered, the management plans for each teacher, classroom routines, different programs, homework and how to help their children at home.

Each Grade level met together as a group and then went back to the classrooms to see each teacher and the student work around the rooms.

All parents received a “Parent Pack” that outlines all the main points from the Orientation. This Parent Pack can be referred to by the parents at any time, and is a useful document to keep at home.

Thank you to all the parents who came along to hear about our great English program.