Induction Week
What else can highlight the start of such a long-lost ordinary school year apart from the first few weeks of student induction? After being away for a year, Concord’s student induction finally makes a comeback with great blasts of fun for both returning and new students here.
Prepared by our head boy and head girl Barney and Chloe-Nicole way before the academic year had even started, a few online Q&A sessions followed by some ice-breaking games were organized by our school prefects to familiarise returners and newcomers altogether. As many were still in quarantine, we were only able to communicate through the screen for a while, which was a shame until the long-awaited Prefect Games were held in Concord’s Sport hall for a consecutive two nights.
The ice-breaking games are always the highlight of the programme, where new students come together and build friendships that last for the entirety of their time here at Concord. We played physical games like dodgeball, but also things like handcrafts and games requiring teamwork. The two-night induction games sessions truly embodied the Concord values of rigour, kindness and creativity, giving newcomers a taste of the school life they will enjoy in the next few years.
“Friendship groups were being made and it’s good to bring ideas to life through this induction. We get to gain friendship with students not only from our year but across different year groups as well!” – Audrey 6.2
The last night of the induction games ended with the Concord tradition called “the high five game”, which required all of us to sit heel to hell in a pair and people run through the gaps of our legs and high fiving us at the same time. This brought the atmosphere of the whole event to its pinnacle and we have never seen so many smiles and laughter in one single room. As the organisers of the event, we feel super proud.
These game nights are truly amazing and we still remember the game nights from the time when we were form 4 or 6.1. We hope all the newcomers will have a wonderful year ahead, and remember these induction game nights just like we do.
Kenneth and Tiffany – 6.2
The Welcome Induction
It is often said that looking for a good seat on your first day of school is hard, but we will never forget the harder task of meeting new people and ‘feeling at home’, especially in a boarding school. Luckily, here at Concord, our Prefects and members of staff have given our new friends the full support, motivation, care and love they needed from the moment they stepped foot into our college. For the first two nights upon arrival of our new Concordians, it has been nothing short of thrill and excitement with the help of a student induction evening filled with fun and games. From the station games that helped overcome the struggles of getting to know each other to the likes of our talented Prefects dancing to the latest hit of “In My Feelings”, these new Concordians could have just had the best time of their lives.
“Two years later having been to induction as a new Form 4 student, I stepped into the sports hall, still slightly nervous – this time as a sixth former now delving into the upper school life. Immediately welcomed by the friendly Prefects, I found myself in a sea of unfamiliar faces. The sports hall, filled with hundreds of people, was buzzing with constant sounds of excitement. After a brief introduction where we got to know each other’s names, we played a series of games organised by the Prefects, ranging from indoor to outdoor activities. The activities challenged patience, attentiveness, leadership and most importantly, teamwork skills. It was especially nice to see how so many people built the basis of new friendships within the span of 2 hours by engaging in conversation, simply starting off with a simple “hello”.
“For the majority of new students, it probably is daunting to be away from home in a foreign country, suddenly having to adapt to a new environment. Therefore, I think the induction here at Concord definitely provided a great opportunity for them to feel welcome and inclusive at the college whilst having fun too. As a returning student, I think it is equally important to attend the event, as it encourages bonding between all students, creating a supportive atmosphere within the sixth form. I’m sure I can say on behalf of everyone that it was an experience to remember.
“Transitioning between GCSE and sixth form will not be easy. Nevertheless, I look forward to the 6.1 year and hope to achieve top results in my AS levels. I’m sure this is an attainable target with the help from the teachers and facilities here at Concord, as well as the motivation given by those surrounding me. I am beyond excited to flourish and grow in this friendly community.” – Rachael, Hong Kong
“I liked the ‘name games’ because they helped me get to know more people” – Esther, Hong Kong
“The induction helps bring the students together” – Gabby, Indonesia
“The experience was fun and interesting” – Kaysha, Malaysia
“It’s been great. I really enjoyed it” – Celia, Hong Kong
“It has been really positive getting to know new people” – Daniel, Indonesia
“It was welcoming and rewarding because I got to make more friends” – Joshua, Malaysia
Natalie – 6.2