Some blessings from above came down on The British School of Nanjing over the weekend, when a forecast downpour upon the Summer Fair failed to materialise, preferring to keep itself locked up as extreme humidity, so that it could all go off without a hitch.
Held this past Saturday, 27 May, it was a summer fair really all about the community, as the The British School of Nanjing (BSN) was finally able to throw open its doors to everyone, not just students and their families. And for those on site who came to offer visitors their wares, the message was very much, “We’re still here, and we’re open for business”.
Matthew Shephard, headmaster at The British School of Nanjing, spoke to reporters for local media who had come to visit the Fair, about the challenges of putting on the event after a lengthy COVID-induced hiatus. “This year it took a lot of extra work, because we didn’t have the history of last year. Next year, it will be easy. All the vendors will call us. The companies that come this year will come next year”, he said.
Those companies this year even included two well-known, high-end auto manufacturers, which had brought along some of their latest models for display around the School.
When it was all tallied up, the 2023 BSN Summer Fair had brought in just over 2,000 visitors and been able to make a collective donation of ¥10,000 to the pair of nominated charities for the event, Hopeful Hearts and Animals Asia.
This had been achieved by selling lucky draw tickets for prizes donated by sponsors and vouchers that could be used to enjoy many of the fun activities available.
Out on BSN’s sports field, set into the wooded slopes of Jiangjun Shan, over 50 vendors and service providers offered books, candles, flowers, arts and crafts, even a spot of golf and a ride on a pony, plus much more!
To the delight of primary-school students in particular, the ever popular “Soak the Teacher” made a welcome return, along with a large selection of other faculty-led games.
Inside, air conditioned and away from the humidity, BSN’s in-house caterers were complimented by an array of other wining-and-dining providers, serving up craft beer, wine, bakery items and much more.
Heading back outside, a smoking BBQ had everyone hungry and ready to sample delights from Australia, the Mediterranean and elsewhere.
But arguably the highlight of this year’s Fair was a musical performance by a student in year 10 at BSN.
Visibly basking in the limelight, it was Tina who relished the chance to perform two songs by her inspiration, Taylor Swift, on the massive 10 metre by five metre stage that really gave the Fair a festival atmosphere.
For fellow students, teachers, BSN staff and the visiting-general public, seeing a star in the making was a most-excellent way to spend a hot and humid Saturday afternoon.
