Recap of February at ZIS

By Mirae Park (G10)

One day during break time, Qiao finds Banyan sitting in Mr. Navid’s math classroom. 

Qiao: Banyan! I was looking all over for you. 

Banyan: (not looking at her) Just a second, Qiao. I’m in a winning position.  

Qiao: Okay…? (looks at the chess board he’s hunched over) This is too complex for me to understand. Since when have you suddenly become so invested in chess? 

Banyan: Shh! You’re disrupting my focus! I can’t afford to make a single blunder… 

Qiao: Jeez, ok! 

After about 3 minutes of intense concentration, Banyan lifts up his queen and plants it on the board with a flourish. 

Banyan: Aaaand that’s checkmate! Good game. (shakes hands with opponent and turns to Qiao while resetting the chess board) Alright, so to answer your question: I was obliterated by a bunch of 8-year-olds at the ACAMIS chess competition our chess team went to. And you know I can’t just let my ego fall like that! 

Qiao: (laughs) So now you’re here instead of on the football pitch. I thought you hated math and anything to do with calculating! 

Banyan: Ahh, true. But not when it comes to sports! 

Qiao: I guess that’s fair. (pulls out something from her pocket) Well, here’s your reward for winning your last match. 

Banyan: Chocolate, sweet! Thanks, Qiao! 

Qiao: It’s just a little something the student council members prepared for Valentine’s Day. 

Banyan: Woah, so you’re handing out mini chocolates to everyone? 

Qiao: Yup, everyone in secondary. Primary’s doing their own special thing; They’re hosting a whole school assembly! 

Banyan: It’s to celebrate Chinese New Year, right? My mom’s going to come watch! 

Qiao: My parents can’t make it… They’re gonna miss out on so much! All the primary students are performing, some secondary students as well, and even some guest performers are coming! 

Banyan: I know that the professional dragon dancers come every year. Are there more guests coming to perform as well? 

Qiao: I think there will be some playing the Guzhang! 

Banyan: Cool! Wait, didn’t we have another whole school assembly about language appreciation…? 

Qiao: Yeah, we did! I never knew how many different languages our school teachers can speak! 

Banyan: Yeah, we all know Mr. Mike is a language genius, but I bet a lot of people were surprised that Mr. Paul can speak Japanese! 

Qiao: Haha, I agree! Speaking of which, I’m excited for the upcoming language house challenge! 

Banyan: It’ll likely happen next month, though. Gah, I’m not ready for next month… I want the weather to stay cool for just a little longer! 

Qiao: Well, it’s good thing our Visual Arts cycling trip to Gree Coast was this month! 

Banyan: You guys were so lucky! I wish I could skip half a day of school just to cycle… 

Qiao: Well, you might’ve been able to join us… if you’d have finished writing your English essay on time! 

Banyan: Hey, I really tried to put some effort into this essay. And I think my hard work paid off because I got a nomination for the Creative Award for the MYP English LL essay writing competition! 

Qiao: Oh really? Congrats! I also got an email saying that I’m nominated for the Organization Award. 

Banyan: Is that so? (jokingly) Well, I personally believe creativity outshines order… but still, congrats. 

Qiao: (laughs) I bet you loved what the PYP students were up to last week, then. I heard that one of our DP students did a ceramic workshop for primary! 

Banyan: (sighs) When will my envy for little kids ever end? Losing to 8-year-olds in chess and now this… (shakes his head in disbelief) 

Qiao: (giggles) Come on Banyan. Now is not the time for whining. We need to get to… (looks at the schedule) oh, what d’you know! English class! 

Banyan: (claps his hand together) Yes, time to appeal my incredible writing skills to Mr. Mike! 

The two laugh and scurry to the English classroom.