Striving for excellence: Abby’s journey up the mountain

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At the end of last year, grade 10 pupil Abby made her stage debut playing the lead role in our production of We Will Rock You.

The two-day performance was a massive success. After 12 weeks of diligent rehearsals, Abby and her fellow performers were rewarded with endless applause.  

▲Abby and her fellow performers

Today, we take a closer look at how Abby pursues excellence.  

Venturing into new territory

Prior to We Will Rock You, Abby had no formal theatrical training, but her teachers immediately noticed her raw talent.  

They witnessed her English monologue in her grade 8 English class, her performance as a prisoner in her mock trial CCA and a speech she delivered in her global perspectives class. She exhibited a natural comfort when speaking in front of an audience and a knack for inhabiting characters. So, her teachers convinced her to audition.

When she was told which part she would play, Abby was surprised and also worried that she might not be able to be a rock star on stage. But her mentor, Mr Curd, offered some words of encouragement, telling her, “If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.”

▲Abby's fellow performers are experienced on stage

Adding to the challenge was the fact that the script was 162 pages. She would need to memorise long stretches of English dialogue as well as learn 22 songs and countless dance moves. 

Regardless, Abby fully committed herself to the part. She carried the script with her everywhere she went. 

With the help of her teachers and fellow performers, she put a lot of thought into important details like diction and blocking.  As she neared the performance date the margins of her script were filled with notes. The lines of dialogue became a rainbow of colour-coded highlights.

▲Abby carried the script with her everywhere she went

Opening night was ultimately a success. 

Getting there was a daunting and, at times, even gruelling experience. But by diving into this unfamiliar experience, Abby learned some very valuable lessons about what she is capable of.

“Maybe I don't show a lot of my emotions outwardly,” Abby explains, “but I have a lot of emotions inside. I find that as a performer, acting is a medium for me to express my emotions. I feel empowered when I act.”

A long climb up a 

high mountain

Abby’s five years as a Huili pupil have been like climbing a mountain. Every choice made and action taken has been a step upward. 

A major first step for Abby was in grade 6 when she delivered a presentation in her English class. To prepare, she went to her English teacher for one-on-one coaching. She realised through this experience that despite anxiety, one can become more confident and resilient through practice, hard work, and reflection.

This set in motion a series of new and challenging experiences for Abby, like mock trial, a feminist geography CCA, pupil debates and more. 

In grade 7, Abby got involved in the Lou Tang Migrant Children Programme. “This programme focuses on an important social issue that does not get enough attention,” Abby says.

It is one of the first youth grant-making programmes in China and helps underserved migrant children. Through the programme, Abby had the opportunity to visit the village of Lou Tang to learn first-hand how she and her pupils can help these children.

▲Abby visited Lou Tang

“I wish more attention was paid to these disadvantaged children,” says Abby. “We are not sure how much they will benefit from this programme, but it is a start, and we are determined to make an impact.”

Looking at the ‘steps’ Abby has taken ‘up the mountain’, one can see a clear throughline. She has built — and continues to build — confidence and competence that will be an asset for her in whatever she pursues in life, whether it is academics or her career.  

Abby benefits from the full support of teachers like Mr Curd, who, in a hand-written letter, told her, 

You have so much to offer!

The value of a school

Abby has cultivated a strong sense of values, which she brings to her activist pursuits. 

For example, she and some fellow pupils were recently inspired by their global perspectives class and spearheaded an initiative to change Huili Shanghai’s girls’ school uniforms.

▲Girls wearing pantsuits on campus

This semester, she is continuing with this theme as she explores the topic of ‘equality in sport’. 

As part of her research, she and her classmates interviewed Ms Kulas, a trained athlete. From her, they gained powerful insights into gender equality in sports in the UK. The conversation inspired her to recruit more Huili girls to participate in sports. She even started her own frisbee CCA and encouraged female pupils to get involved.  

▲Abby fully committed herself to gender equality

Since founded, Huili has been committing to giving each pupil bespoke education that suits them. 

In the past five years, this goal has been embedded in every aspect of our community, such as our curriculum design, development of Huili charity, and pupils’ clubs that are founded by our pupils.

As such, our pupils develop several common qualities. 

They are empathetic. They are honest about their thoughts and deeds. They have the self-confidence to face all the unknown. They understand the challenges we face in today’s society and take positive action. Indeed, a quality school is a mutual commitment between teachers and pupils as they strive for excellence together. 

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