Flag Raising Ceremony Students’ Sharing 2025-11-6

Neil and Terrence, students from Form 2 Bombax and Form 2 Bauhinia, respectively, introduced some interesting background information on the Beginning of Winter (立冬). They talked about the customs and traditions during this period, and promoted the upcoming activity - the November Reading Challenge.

Written by Neil Zhang (Form 2) and Terrence Guan (Form 2)

Neil: Good morning, everyone! We’re the CLACH ambassadors. I’m Neil From F2Bo.

Terrence: 我是中二紫荊社的Terrence。

Neil: Is everyone finally feeling that winter chill in the air? Is your winter uniform ready?

Terrence: 這幾天確實明顯感受到「冷空氣」的威力了！這個感覺一點都沒錯！因為一個非常重要的節氣來了，它就是二十四節氣之一的「立冬」！「立」，是建立、開始的意思，所以「立冬」就是「冬天的開始」。

Neil: So, Lidong(立冬) is one of the 24 solar terms, which means the Beginning of Winter! What is the most important (and delicious) tradition when winter begins?

Terrence: 冬天一來，我們自然要「補冬」啦！意思就是，我們要吃一些高熱量、能滋補身體的食物，幫我們的身體「充滿電」，儲備足夠的能量，去對抗接下來的寒冷！在北方，有句俗話說：「立冬不端餃子碗，凍掉耳朵沒人管！」所以北方人一定要吃餃子。

Neil: Oh, yes! Eating dumplings is one of the ways to begin winter supplementation. I know it’s because they are shaped like ears, and the folk wisdom says if you eat them, your ears won't freeze off in the cold! So, we need to eat warming and high-energy foods to "charge up" our bodies to have enough fuel to stay warm and healthy all season long. What else do we eat?

Terrence: 在我們南方，大家可能會吃一鍋熱騰騰的羊肉爐、薑母鴨，或者一碗暖暖的糯米飯！

Neil: Wow! I like mutton stew, ginger duck, and sticky rice so much! They’re yummy!

Terrence: 我也喜歡吃！所以，同學們，「立冬」是一個「美味」的提醒： 它提醒我們，冬天來了，一定要多穿衣服，注意保暖！也提醒我們，今晚回家，不妨和家人一起吃一頓熱乎乎的晚餐，好好「補一補」！

Neil: You’re right, Terrence. Lidong is a warm reminder for us to dress warmly and eat well with our family. I’ll definitely be charged up with a wonderful, hot family meal tonight!

Neil: Oh, by the way, what can we do when we stay in our cozy bed tonight? How about getting some reading?

Terrence: 閱讀是個好主意！各位同學，十一月的閱讀挑戰又來了，跟十月一樣，大家從星期二由CLACH團隊傳送的電郵中打開Google Form閱讀及答題，最終會為自己的社贏得社分。大家要踴躍參與哦！

Neil: Nice, it’s game time for reading again! The CLACH team sent out the November Reading Challenge Google form on Tuesday already. Everyone, let's join and read the passage about Frost’s Descent and Chung Yang Festival, and answer the questions to gain house points together!

That’s the end of our sharing today. Thank you!