On February 3, 2024, CDNIS made a resounding comeback as they competed in the highly esteemed International History Bee and Bowl competition, marking their triumphant return since the onset of the pandemic. Facing an array of intimidating opponents from 13 schools across China and Hong Kong, CDNIS showcased their exceptional knowledge in history and their unwavering dedication. Two out of the four teams successfully placed third overall, securing their spot in the Asian Championship in Khao Lak, Thailand, scheduled to take place from June 14 to 16.
With only two months’ prior notice, CDNIS students embarked on an intensive journey of preparation, dedicating themselves to biweekly practice sessions. Students drew upon their pre-existing knowledge on history, on top of engaging in rigorous research. They were aware that their success relied on their comprehensive understanding of a broad spectrum of historical topics, ranging from ancient civilisation to contemporary global history.
Participant John Qi of 12B eloquently captured the challenges they faced, stating, “Frankly speaking, it is impossible to study any vast amount of historical knowledge given the short revision time, alongside schoolwork and other commitments, so prior knowledge really came in handy.”
In the midst of the students’ relentless pursuit of excellence, the teacher supervisors also faced their own set of challenges in the process. Limited time posed a significant challenge, with the teachers having to strike a delicate balance between their regular teaching responsibilities and the additional demands of training sessions. To gain a deeper understanding of the teachers’ perspectives, Mr. Perry, one of the supervisors who has been involved with CDNIS’ participation in this competition for several years, provided his insights.
He expressed that “the limited time we had for preparation was one of the obstacles we faced during this competition. Our students are highly engaged in a wide range of extracurricular activities and school clubs which is wonderful, but it made scheduling practice sessions quite difficult. Some students would be available on a certain day, but not the others, which meant that they had to go through the materials individually as we tried to focus on a particular topic each day.”
Despite the inherent difficulties, CDNIS rose above the obstacles before them, propelled by their unyielding determination and spirit. In the lead up to the competition, students diligently conducted regular training sessions to simulate the competitive environment, enabling them to sharpen their reflexes, enhance their recall abilities and fine-tune their buzzer techniques. The teacher supervisors, well versed in the intricacies of the competition, provided invaluable guidance, imparting crucial strategies and their wealth of historical knowledge onto the students, ultimately achieving outstanding results in the competition.
As the participants courageously navigated the competitive landscape, they grappled with self confidence, nerves and the weight of expectations. Nonetheless, CDNIS demonstrated remarkable resilience, analyzing their opponents’ weaknesses and pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones.
All those involved in the History Bee and Bowl competition deserve a heartfelt congratulations for their exceptional performance. As we cheer them on with enthusiasm in their future endeavors at the Asian Championship, we celebrate their current achievements and have no doubt their dedication will continue to shine brightly.
