Our Year 7 students enjoyed participating in our annual Human Technologies event, The Happening, to celebrate their immersion into the ICHK community. This event is just one of many opportunities designed to provide students with meaningful experiences, helping them connect more deeply with each other and celebrate the joys of being human.

Burgers were smashed, pulses raced, and smiles were aplenty in the Mid-Autumn sunshine. It was wonderful to see so many members of our Year 7 community enjoying this experience, which has become a cornerstone of our Term 1 calendar.

At ICHK, being part of a community means that our students feel happy, confident, and connected. This aligns with our mission to graduate students who are 'happy, confident, intelligent warriors.' An essential way to develop these qualities is by fostering relationships through a series of fun games and experiences that activate core emotional systems like SEEKING and PLAY. These experiences stimulate curiosity and create the conditions for making—two essential elements of human development.

As Head of Human Technologies, I am usually involved in running one of the rotation activities that students participate in. This year, however, I took a step back to oversee the transitions between activities and to observe students’ reactions to the day’s events. I think their feelings are best captured in a comment that one of our students shared with our Arts teacher, Ms. Erika Shiba: "This is the best day that I’ve had at ICHK so far."

There were also a couple of heartwarming moments throughout the day that illustrate the lasting impact of this event. I overheard chatter in the corridors from older students who noticed preparations for The Happening. One remarked, “Oh, I remember The Happening - that was so much fun! Can we come again?”

Another touching moment came from a conversation with some Year 9 girls, who shared that their friendship had blossomed at the event two years ago. Seeing them now, sitting together at lunch and reflecting on the bond they formed, was a powerful reminder of why this event is so meaningful.

Stepping back from leading an activity also allowed me to witness the expertise, care, and commitment of our teachers, which is much more than a skill; it’s a craft. A particular highlight was the drum jam, led by our music teacher, Ms. Phoebe Wong. I even joined in myself! I was truly in awe of her ability to engage our Year 7 students. Coordinating any semblance of shared rhythm with 20 Year 7 students, each armed with a drum and a random percussion instrument, is no easy feat. Yet, with her skill, enthusiasm, and patience, she had the students captivated.

My gratitude, of course, extends to all our ICHK staff who made The Happening possible. Whether it was running an activity, flipping burgers, promoting the event, or supervising buses to ensure students got home safely, every effort contributed to bringing our community closer together.

The Happening is more than just a fun day; it’s a celebration of connection, creativity, and community. Thank you to everyone who helped make it a success.