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The College

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Welcome to 

SIMAO TEACHERS' COLLEGE    

This is one of the student dormitory blocks. The rooms accommodate up to ten students. They have bunk beds, a small cupboard each and a communal table on which to eat and study. 

  The College grounds always look impeccable thanks to the Presidents' committment to creating a pleasant learning environment and to the daily hard work of the gardeners. Have a look at our Campus Flora page for an illustrated description of the trees and plants here.

One can always find somewhere lovely to sit although for Edie to avoid attention it's sometimes necessary to hide behind the bushes.     

Further places to relax include the Art Gallery hosts some fabulous work, including prints by some world-famous wood block printmakers from Simao. Lesley has been learning the art under their guidance.

... otherwise known as "The English Cafe". You can read magazines,study, chat and drink green tea. This is the location for English Corner twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is managed by students, who also run the weekly English Film Club and co-edit Sunflower, the College's first English newspaper.

MILITARY TRAINING

At the beginning of the November the Grade 1 students (more than 1000 of them) take part in 10 days compulsory Military Service. During this time they are confined to barracks (apart from a day spent on a mini Long March out to Xin Fang Reservoir) where they practise formation marching and attend lectures...

       
These pictures were taken at the final parade, where the students performed some impressive synchronized group wushu displays, orders being barked at them by their officer trainers. It looked like hard work, especially standing to attention under the blazing sun for 3 hours. There were a few guns in evidence (but no shooting!) and plenty of stirring martial music as well as a solemn rendition of the National Anthem. All good, character-building stuff - and for us, an enlightening indication as to the formation of the Chinese national pysche.

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