The Grange Institution (TGI) has once again demonstrated our excellence in Mandarin education, achieving outstanding results at the annual Chinese Language Festival hosted by the Chinese Language Festival Association. More than 200 schools from over 20 countries participated this year.
In a resounding testament to the strength of our Mandarin programme, two of our students, Haruya Kawabe (Year 5) and Emma Kuwako (Year 3) were among just 17 recipients of the Pinnacle Award, selected from over 1,000 participants. This award is presented to those who achieved at least 4 champion awards across five competitive categories.
Haruya’s parents, Shinya and Chikako Kawabe, shared their reflections on his journey:
“After completing Additional English, we encouraged him to choose between Japanese and Mandarin based on what felt most meaningful. The lessons at school go beyond textbooks, with interactive activities tied to cultural festivals. He seems to enjoy the process and is picking up the language naturally”.
They also added, “The Chinese Language Festival was a great chance for him to showcase his skills and participate in areas where he feels most confident”.
A Legacy of Excellence
Our students continued the school’s proud tradition of success, bringing home an impressive total of 62 Champion Awards amongst over 120 awards won. Of the 61 students who participated, 40 of them earned at least one Champion Award.
Beyond individual achievements, TGI also attained recognition in group performances. For the second year in a row, we won the Champion Award for Group Choir, achieving a perfect score of 100 out of 100. We also won 1st Runner-Up for Group Dance, marking our second consecutive year in this category.
Recognising Our Educators
The strength of our Mandarin programme was further highlighted by the recognition of our educators and the school as a whole:
- Excellent Organisation Award: TGI is proud to receive recognition in the Non-Native Speakers category, highlighting our commitment to promoting Mandarin excellence.
- Excellent Teacher Awards: For the third consecutive year, Chen Lih Jiunreceived this prestigious award, this time alongside Preschool teacher Ms. Zhou Jie, acknowledging their dedication and impact on student success.
- Excellent Judge Award: Chen Lih Jiunwas also recognised for her contributions as a judge, reinforcing her expertise in Mandarin education.
(Right) Student representatives receiving the 1st runner-up award for Group Dance
A Testament to Our Mandarin Programme
These achievements stem directly from The Grange Institution’s strong Mandarin curriculum, which integrates language proficiency, cultural appreciation, and real-world application. Many of our students who are non-native speakers have consistently performed exceptionally well, proving that with the right guidance and passion, linguistic boundaries can be overcome.
As we celebrate this year’s success, we wish to express our heartfelt congratulations to all participating students, teachers, and families who played a role in this incredible journey. The Grange remains committed to nurturing confident, skilled, and culturally aware global citizens. We look forward to even greater accomplishments in the years ahead!
Check out the full list of winners here: Winner’s list
