Co-curricular Activities
Hangzhou International School offers Co-curricular Activities (CCAs) to all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The Co-curricular program allows students to develop talents in an environment that promotes the growth of leadership and communication skills all while being hands-on and engaging.
CCA Registration Information
Registration is closed for the Fall CCA program. For support about CCA registrations and wait lists, please contact Filipe Nogueira, Director of Athletics and Activities, activities@his-china.org or call 571 8669 0045 x111 .
Equal consideration is given to all registrations made during this period.
Directions for Registering for CCAs
Contact Information
For support about CCA registrations and wait lists, please contact Filipe Nogueira, Director of Athletics and Activities, activities@his-china.org or call 571 8669 0045 x111
For technical support when signing up for CCAs or to sign up in person, please stop by the Tech Pagoda, email technology@his-china.org , or call + 86 571 8669 0045 x149 (Mandarin Language and General Tech Support ), x148 (Karl Suits, Director of Technology, ksuits@his-china.org)
For paper CCA registration, please stop by the Main Office to fill out or drop off, or email it to activities@his-china.org .
For phone CCA registration, please call +86 571 8669 0045 .
Lower School Secretary
Lily Fan lfan@his-china.org
Upper School Secretary
Alice Zhang azhang@his-china.org
Monday
Lower School
Soccer Stars of the Future
Grades:
1-2
Presenter:
Ms. Kellie Kolde
Location:
Small Field
Description:
Students will practice the core skills of dribbling, passing, and shooting. Participants will be active throughout this activity as they learn how to play "The Beautiful Game".
Lego Creative Fun
Grades:
K-1
Presenter:
Ms. Ria Marais
Location:
STEAM Room
Description:
| Lego provides endless fun and opportunity for developing a child's imagination and construction skills. In this class, kids will challenge themselves to build different kinds of things, such as numbers, Alphabets, animals, vehicles and so on. |
Film-Making
Grades:
5
Presenter:
Ms. Jacqueline Caraglior and Ms. Jamie Sanchez
Location:
Lower School Art Room
Description:
In this three-part CCA, students will work in small groups to create a short film. CCA 1 will focus on pre-production, CCA 2 production and CCA 3 post production. Throughout the school year, students will gain experience writing screenplays, storyboarding, filming, directing, acting, and editing. Making a film requires teamwork, time and dedication.
Students interested in enrolling in this CCA will be expected to bring a collaborative spirt and a commitment to participating every week, for the whole school year.
* In signing up for CCA 1 (Fall), you are making a commitment to CCA 2 (Winter) and CCA 3 (Spring). Films made during this activity will be submitted to the HIS Film Festival!
Children's Choir
Grades:
3-6
Presenter:
Ms. Joy Myers
Location: Lower School Music Room
Description:
|
Students will sing and perform songs to bring holiday cheer to our Hangzhou community throughout the winter season! This CCA will also involve some weekend performances. Dates and times to be confirmed. |
Sketching Club
Grades:
1-2
Presenter:
Mr. Sean Doohan
Location:
F102
Description:
Children will learn some drawing techniques that will allow them to sketch the world around them as well as record their experiences and ideas. These skills will help to develop hand eye coordination, concentration and the children's ability to express their emotions.
We Grow What We Eat
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Dr. Jen Widi & Ms. Nora May
Location:
TBC
Description:
This CCA will provide an opportunity for grade 3 through 5 students to buddy up with upper school students in activities that will enhance their understanding and experience with gardening, healthy snack preparation, and an active lifestyle. We will also explore some of the environmental issues that are impacting our food supply and quality of life. We hope students will walk away with an increased sense of agency and awareness of the positive impact they can make.
Kickball
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Mr. Tom Gilbert
Location:
Field
Description:
Kickball is a game that involves kicking, throwing, and catching a ball. The rules are similar to those of American baseball. The game is low stress, improves coordination, and builds teamwork skills. Kids have a lot of fun playing this game!
Scratch Coding Projects
Grades:
4-5
Presenter:
Ms. Jo Burns
Location:
C105
Description:
Explore the Scratch coding programme. Make you own games, create a maze or a mini animation.
String Orchestra
Grades:
5-12
Presenter:
Mr. Kyle Kresge
Location:
B005
Description:
Calling all string players! Do you play the violin, viola, or cello? Then join us for some fun music making in the String Orchestra! Students will learn, play, and rehearse a variety of different pieces, and will collaborate with the Tree Lighting Choir for several winter holiday performances. Please note that the String Orchestra is for students that already play a string instrument and/or currently are studying a string instrument. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Mr. Kresge at kkresge@his-china.org. Looking forward to making music with you soon!
Creative Art for Children
Grades:
K-2
Presenter:
Ms. Andrea Shen
Location:
F205
Description:
In this class, students will make crafts in a creative way, which helps them develop their hand-eye coordination skill and fine motor skill.
Upper School
Children's Choir
Grades:
3-6
Presenter:
Ms. Joy Myers
Location: Lower School Music Room
Description:
|
Students will sing and perform songs to bring holiday cheer to our Hangzhou community throughout the winter season! This CCA will also involve some weekend performances. Dates and times to be confirmed. |
Baking Club
Grades:
6-12
Presenter:
Ms. Danielle Bowers
Location:
A111
Description:
| Indulge in your sweet tooth in Baking Club. Students will learn basic baking and cooking skills. Each week we will make a dessert or a baked good. No experience is necessary! Novices and Master Chefs welcome! |
Let's Dance!!
Grades:
8-12
Presenter:
Ms. Ellie Mockler
Location:
Rhythm and Movement Room
Description:
| The practice and performance of contemporary, jazz, modern, and hip hop dance. |
String Orchestra
Grades:
5-12
Presenter:
Mr. Kyle Kresge
Location:
B005
Description:
Calling all string players! Do you play the violin, viola, or cello? Then join us for some fun music making in the String Orchestra! Students will learn, play, and rehearse a variety of different pieces, and will collaborate with the Tree Lighting Choir for several winter holiday performances. Please note that the String Orchestra is for students that already play a string instrument and/or currently are studying a string instrument. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Mr. Kresge at kkresge@his-china.org. Looking forward to making music with you soon!
The Digital Art and Animation Club
Grades:
8-11
Presenter:
Mr. Michael Long
Location:
A103
Description:
For students who are interested in creating digital art, 3D Modeling & Animating, Stop-motion and traditional hand-drawn animation.
Tuesday
Lower School
Monkeynastics
Grades:
K-1
Presenter:
Ms. Glynis Whitehorn
Location:
Ballroom
|
Description: Experts agree that movement education is just as important as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Movement education comes from developing a wide variety of fundamental movement skills such as hopping, skipping, throwing, catching, and jumping.It is a broad-based, holistic programme that combines creativity and music with basic training in flexibility, balance, strength, agility, co-ordination and body awareness. |
Chinese Geography
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Ms. May Peng
Location:
C304
Description:
Let's explore and appreciate China's broad geographic and cultural diversity together.
Memory Fun
Grades:
1-2
Presenter:
Ms. Joyce Chen
Location:
F202
Description:
The Memory Fun utilizes a wide variety of memory games that will help improve the student's focus and concentration in fun and challenging ways. It will also adopt items useful in a child's life, including numbers, letters, names, Chinese characters, menus and pricing, animals, flags, etc. We will use different fun games and levels of difficulty based on ability and achievement. No pressure, just fun!
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Ms. Sherry Li
Location:
Rhythm and Movement Room
Description:
Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterized by stringing postures together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. It helps to develop a more balanced, stable body and release the pressure of the body, get an inner peace.
Tag Rugby
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Mr. Jonathan Stringfellow
Location:
Large Field / Small Field
Description:
Students will learn skills for rugby through drills and playing a modified version of Rugby, using the rules of OzTag. Perfectly suited to girls and boys who love to run, jump, catch, dodge and kick. A great activity to develop hand-eye coordination of children.
Students will need to bring running shoes, and a bottle of water.
Upper School
Debate Club
Grades:
9-11
Presenter:
Ms. Marisa Confait
Location:
B003
Description:
An invitation to engage in the 'Battle of the Brains'.Students learn how to state their opinion and utilise their viewpoint, so as to outsmart their opposition and claim victory. Honing critical thinking, speaking skills, and working a team line of argument; students in Debate Club will also develop their skills for argumentative writing, as well as increase their knowledge of current, world issues and events.Students need to bring a willingness to 'sweat both their brain muscle and their voice box, and a desire to 'slay' their opponents with rapier sharp wit!
Model United Nations (MUN)
Grades:
6-12
Presenter:
Ms. Suzanne Brown & Mr. Terry Strombeck
Location:
B302
Description:
In Model United Nations (MUN) students will be able to develop their debating skills, negotiation skills and learn about social and political developments world wide. We will also prepare for MUN conferences that will take place during the year.
Math Club
Grades:
9-12
Presenter:
Mr. Simon Lamplugh & Alicia Li
Location: A002
Description:
This is a student led activity where students will be doing maths enrichment and challenge activities and preparing for online and face-to-face maths competitions.
Chinese Cooking
Grades:
8-10
Presenter:
Ms. Jenny Wang
Location:
B002
Description:
Students will have a opportunity to learn about Chinese food and practice the very important life skill of food preparation and cooking. Please come and join us!
Design and Coding (6-12)
Grades:
6-12
Presenter:
Ms. Amber Zhu
Location:
Community Computer Lab in Library
Description:
Designed for Upper School students of all abilities. Some students will focus on the basics of programming creatively, while other students will delve into JavaScript, CSS, C, C++, Perl, Python or similar. Students will work independently, with partners, or in groups to learn and create programs. Even if you haven’t programmed before, you can learn to code at your own pace; the sky is the limit in this rich CCA, which is full of challenge and accomplishment. While it is not always necessary to understand how software is programmed, there are a number of applications that can be enhanced with a basic knowledge of programming.
Wednesday
Lower School
Design and Coding (K-2)
Grades:
K-2
Presenter:
Mr. Karl Suits
Location:
Community Computer Lab in Library
Description:
This CCA is the place to take that interest in technology, and turn it into a productive skill. Designed for boys and girls who want to learn computer basics and programming. It is a fun way to learn coding after school and work alongside friends.
Upper School
Rock Band
Grades:
8-12
Presenter:
Mr. Kyle Kresge
Location:
B005
Description:
Have a band? Want to record a song or demo album? The Rock Band CCA is an opportunity for you and your bandmates to sign out a practice room for rehearsing and recording. Student bands can use this CCA to prepare for several performances throughout the school year. Sign up today- and rock on!
HIS Upper School Dance Team
Grades:
6-9
Presenter:
Student-Led Activity:
Sally Lee, Irene Chen, Helen Shou
Location:
Rhythm and Movement Room
Description:
This student-led CCA is intended for dancers who are wishing to practice, audition and hopefully join the HIS Upper School Dance team. A team of up to 10 dancers will learn different types of dances and have the opportunity to perform at assemblies.
Journalism Club
Grades:
6-12
Presenter:
Ms. Brianna Riani & Ms. Katie Foster
Location:
B208
Description:
Upper school students will create an online publication to be shared within the HIS community. They will learn about the process of compiling print and visual media to produce a online media product.
Students who join this CCA should commit to it throughout the school year.
HIS Yearbook Club
Grades:
9-12
Presenter:
Ms. Brianna Riani & Ms. Katie Foster
Location:
B208
Description:
Students will play a key role in creating the annual HIS 2020-2021 Yearbook.
Students who join this CCA should commit to it throughout the school year.
Econ Club
Grades:
9-12
Presenter:
Mr. Alex Goh & Daniel Branham, Mariam Sardzhveladze, Felicity Wong
Location:
A113
Description:
This is a student-led activity which aims to provide both students studying economics and students who are interested about economics and a desire to experience and understand real-world development. Students will have opportunities to review current economic and financial issues and report on them in a magazine publication. Students will also participate in economics and business competitions with other international schools, engage in stock market simulation games, discuss real-world events to develop deeper understanding, and go on field trips to companies within Hangzhou and surrounding cities to experience real businesses.
Thursday
Lower School
Fun with Chinese Reading
Grades:
K-2
Presenter:
Ms. Amy Yi
Location:
C202
Description:
This CCA is providing students with more exploration in Chinese reading. Good books make reading fun. Stories for students will be of all kinds – folktales, funny tales, exciting tales, tales of the wondrous and stories that tell of everyday things. We will present books and stories in various ways, including audio listening, pictures imagination, video demonstration, read aloud, role play etc. Students are encouraged to listen, ponder, make comments, and ask questions. Students will read aloud from content and we will have games and activities to make reading enjoyable.
(This CCA is delivered mainly in Mandarin)
Design and Coding (3-5)
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Mr. Simon Dobson
Location:
Community Computer Lab in Library
Description:
This CCA is the place to take that interest in technology, and turn it into a productive skill. Designed for boys and girls who want to learn computer basics and programming. It is a fun way to learn coding after school and work alongside friends. Students will learn how to program circuits and apps, and compete in challenges to improve their programming speed.
Sew and Tell
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Ms. Bethany Ragains
Location:
F202
Description:
If you love making things and want to try something new, join Sew & Tell! Students will learn basic sewing skills, starting with threading a needle and sewing a variety of beginner stitches. They will apply those techniques to making things such as pillows, stuffed animals, bags, and other unique projects.
iMovie
Grades:
3-4
Presenter:
Ms. Patricia Shomo
Location:
C104
Description:
| Students will learn camera functions, editing in iMovie, and how to make stop motion movies. If possible, students should bring either an iPhone, iPod, iPad, or other device with video. If not, there will some devices available for student use. |
Mini Chefs
Grades:
K-2
Presenter:
Ms. Lisa Bistretzan
Location:
C003
Description:
Get your chef hats on and get ready to learn to prepare delicious and nutritions snacks! Children will roll up their sleeves to participate in this fun hands-on class, learning practical life skills.
Erhu
Grades:
1-8
Presenter:
Mr. Leo Liu
Location:
TBC
Description:
Erhu for beginners will introduce students to the basic techniques for using the bow and finger placement on the strings. This course will give students the opportunity to have exposure to this traditional instrument with over 1000 years history. Mr Liu Bin (Mr Leo) is a graduate of Music Institute of Nanjing University of the Art with specialism in Erhu. Instruments are provided by the school for use during the CCA.
Upper School
Cooking Basics
Grades:
6-8
Presenter:
Ms. Pat Long
Location:
A111
Description:
In this activity, students will learn the basics of food preparation and will make simple dishes that focus on a different ingredient each week. They will need to bring containers to take their creations home, if they do not eat them in the CCA.
Global Issues Network (GIN)
Grades:
6-12
Presenter:
Dr. Matthew Baxter and Ms. Lily Lin
Location:
B005
Description:
GIN stands for Global Issues Network and its mission is to “nurture and mobilize transgenerational communities of global citizens to build an equitable and sustainable world.” As GIN moves into this school year we hope to continue successful programs such as the Library Projects, Laboratory Trips and Children’s Hospital visits. New opportunities for GIN club members are also arising, such as beautifying our school with indoor plants, creating a garden space where students grow food for the purpose of understanding local ecology, and nurturing endangered insects to increase their populations. With all of these exciting opportunities, we know that GIN at HIS is creating a community to support a sustainable world.
K-Pop and Modern Dance
Grades:
7-11
Presenter:
Student-Led Activity:
Esther Ye, Inha Park, Flora Moon
Location:
Rhythm and Movement Room
Description:
This CCA mainly consists in dancing, and considering trends and preferences at HIS it is most likely that we are going to do K-Pop choreographies. The “leaders” will be in charge of teaching participants dances and seek to obtain performing opportunities to wrap up the “season” and demonstrate results of your practice.
Erhu
Grades:
1-8
Presenter:
Mr. Leo Liu
Location:
TBC
Description:
Erhu for beginners will introduce students to the basic techniques for using the bow and finger placement on the strings. This course will give students the opportunity to have exposure to this traditional instrument with over 1000 years history. Mr Liu Bin (Mr Leo) is a graduate of Music Institute of Nanjing University of the Art with specialism in Erhu. Instruments are provided by the school for use during the CCA.
Friday
Lower School
Karaoke
Grades:
K-2
Presenter:
Ms. Yolanda Chen
Location:
F206
Description:
Singing helps students show their emotions, build confidence, improve memory and showcase their hidden talents. In this Karaoke CCA, students will be encouraged to sing children's songs in front of their friends. Let's have fun!
Crochet Club
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Ms. Erin Rocha
Location:
C204
Description:
Improve fine motor skills and make cute figures! This CCA will focus on teaching students the skills of crocheting a figure. Through learning these skills students will also fine tune their fine motor skills. Creating also serves as a way to relax the brain after a long day of school.
Chinese Reading Club
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Ms. Melanie Lu
Location:
C302
Description:
Chinese reading club will recommend students a wide variety of texts in different conventions, cultures, and help students to develop critical and creative-thinking skills through reading.
Arty Crafty
Grades:
K-2
Presenter:
Ms. Faye Little
Location:
F203
Description:
Arty Crafty is fun, creative and super-enjoyable. Painting, sketching, crafting, designing and building are just some of the activities you can expect in this hands-on, diverse CCA. No materials required, just imagination, creativity and an after-school snack for sustenance.
Jump Start your Heart
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Ms. Cilla Giannopoulos
Location:
TBC
Description:
Jump Rope is a great way to keep our hearts healthy while learning lots of cool skipping tricks. Children will be warming up their bodies, learning different jumping skills individually and in groups and choreographing their own jump rope routines. They need to wear clothes that they can exercise in.
We are LIT! (Librarians in Training)
Grades:
5-6
Presenter:
Ms. Michelle Dierker
Location:
Library
Description:
Librarians in Training is a CCA for students who care about the library and would like to be a part of helping to make decisions about library programs. Students will have the opportunity to help the library in a variety of ways. These include: -helping to genrefy books according to topic-learning how to shelve and alphabetize books-writing and recording book recommendations-helping library staff make decisions about library programsDuring each CCA, we will spend time listening to or talking about books we have read or enjoy. It is a chance for students who love reading to connect with books and other book lovers in a meaningful way. Students who are interested in this CCA will be asked to submit an application, as only a small number of students can apply each term. Students who are wait listed will be included in future CCA sessions.
Junior Running Club
Grades:
3-5
Presenter:
Dr. Jen Widi
Location:
Various locations on and off campus
Description:
An introduction to China's number one participation sport. This activity will allow students to discover the fun in running. Some of the activities will be off-campus and incorporate some Cross-country running- running uphill, downhill, through creeks and on winding trails. Participants should bring suitable clothing, running shoes, a hat, and a water bottle.
Participants in this CCA will have the opportunity to participate in the HISAC Cross-Country event later in the year.
Origami & Crafts
Grades:
2-4
Presenter:
Student-Led Activity:
Emma Chen and Lucia Wang
Location:
B005
Description:
Join us for lots of creative fun. We will make origami and many other DIY arts and crafts. No experience is required.
Upper School
We are LIT! (Librarians in Training)
Grades:
5-6
Presenter:
Ms. Michelle Dierker
Location:
Library
Description:
Librarians in Training is a CCA for students who care about the library and would like to be a part of helping to make decisions about library programs. Students will have the opportunity to help the library in a variety of ways. These include: -helping to genrefy books according to topic-learning how to shelve and alphabetize books-writing and recording book recommendations-helping library staff make decisions about library programsDuring each CCA, we will spend time listening to or talking about books we have read or enjoy. It is a chance for students who love reading to connect with books and other book lovers in a meaningful way. Students who are interested in this CCA will be asked to submit an application, as only a small number of students can apply each term. Students who are wait listed will be included in future CCA sessions.
Wheels Around Hangzhou
Grades:
6-12
Presenter:
Dr. Jess Koenig & Ms. Nora May
Location:
Meet inside the Front Gate by the Bicycle Racks
Description:
Students will be exploring Hangzhou by wheeled methods. Students should have their own bicycle and safety gear, such as a helmet. Each day, the group will ride to a designated location. Ending time for the session is typically around 5 or 5:30 each week. Students should bring money for purchasing snacks at the middle point.
Engineering Club
Grades:
7-10
Presenter:
Mr. Andrew Brown
Location:
Design Room
Description:
This CCA is designed to encourage students to make things and to nurture their growing curiosity and interest in engineering. Students will be able to create 3D dimensional products without the constraints of an assessed curriculum. They will be encouraged to develop their creative and practical skills according to their interests. The work is not set and students themselves can decide themselves what they would like to make. Additionally, there will be opportunities to produce products that may be requested by members of our school community.Students will have access to our Design/Maker Space workshop, tools and facilities and will have staff supervision and guidance. There is also the possibility to use CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Technology) if this is where their interests take them. Any students interested in the Engineering Club should see Mr Brown to gain further information about it to ensure that they understand what they are committing to; as places will be limited.