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The weather has been getting colder , but our students have used their strength to light up this winter!
Recently, at a competition hosted by CISA, our students shone brightly, winning the spelling bee championship and multiple medals in the badminton competition.
From the spelling bee's intellectual competition to the intense badminton matches, every effort made by the students is a testament to sweat and wisdom. Let's come together today to witness their moment of glory and feel the unique passion of youth!
COGDEL SCHOOL CHENGDU
仁爱·惟新·多元·有为
Gold Medal moment: student Mika won!
In the end of November,saw the return of the eagerly anticipated CISA Spelling Bee, an annual event where students from Chengdu’s top international schools compete in a traditional spelling showdown. This year’s event, featured 84 participants across the U11, U15, and U19 categories, making for an intense and thrilling competition.
Nine students from Cogdel School Chengdu proudly represented our school, demonstrating the kind of dedication and enthusiasm we love to see from our students. Each of them displayed bravery and linguistic skill, competing admirably on a big stage in front of a lively audience.
In the U11 category, all four of our first-time participants—Katerina, Neil, Ivy, and Debbie—stepped up with courage and composure. While no medals were won in this category, their enthusiasm and support for each other created a fantastic team atmosphere. They did our school proud, and their experience will undoubtedly inspire confidence and excitement for future competitions.
The U19 category was equally thrilling, with all three of our representatives making it to the top 10. After a valiant effort, Colin Zheng was eliminated on the tricky word ‘septicaemia’, but his performance was impressive nonetheless. Meanwhile, Colleen Manansala and Caiden Chan advanced to the final six, showcasing exceptional spelling skills. Even though a medal eluded him this year, it was a particularly great performance from Caiden Chan, the youngest competitor in the category this year.
The highlight of the day came in the U15 category, where Mika Purugganan and Vea Manansala carried the Cogdel banner with pride. As the competition narrowed to its final three participants, Mika’s unwavering focus and skill earned her a spot in the decisive round. In a nail-biting finish, Mika faced the word ‘tenacious’. With her teammates holding their breath, Mika spelled it flawlessly, securing the gold medal and the championship trophy.
Mika’s incredible achievement capped off a day of outstanding performances by the entire team. More than the medals, the competition highlighted the students’ resilience, sportsmanship, and community spirit. Victories like Mika’s are to be celebrated, but every student who participated can hold their head high for their effort and dedication.
We also extend our gratitude to Malvern College Chengdu for hosting such a well-organized and welcoming event. The CISA Spelling Bee continues to provide an invaluable opportunity for students to shine and grow, and we eagerly anticipate next year’s competition.
Three cheers for Mika and the entire Cogdel School Chengdu Spelling Bee team! Your hard work, determination, and team spirit have made us all incredibly proud.
Badminton:Won many medals!
The Cogdel School Chengdu badminton teams delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s U19 CISA Badminton Doubles Tournament, with remarkable results in both the boys' and girls' categories. Represented by four boys and four girls, the teams exhibited exceptional teamwork, mutual support, and competitive spirit both on and off the court, contributing to one of their strongest performances in recent years.
All eight players advanced to the quarterfinals—a significant improvement compared to previous years. Although Jerry and Eric narrowly missed the semifinals in a nail-biting match that ended 2:1 (22:20 in the final set), their resilience and determination were commendable. Louis and Adam advanced to the finals after a series of grueling matches. Despite Louis sustaining a sprained ankle in the group stage, the pair persevered, fighting valiantly until the very end. They ultimately secured second place, a testament to their courage and skill.
In the girls' category, Jennifer and Sarah also reached the finals, delivering an exceptional performance throughout the tournament. While they narrowly missed the top spot, their teamwork and dedication earned them the silver medal.
Alice and Eva faced tough competition in the semifinals, losing to the eventual champions. However, they regrouped with incredible determination to win the bronze medal in the third-place match, showcasing their grit and adaptability.
Every smash and every defense our players executed on the court was filled with power, and the cheers and acclamation echoed throughout the stadium.
Eva:“We tried our best to fight, though we met many difficulties. It was an experience I won’t forget.”
Alice:“We still have a lot of room for improvement, and we will continue to work hard.”
Jennifer and Sarah:"Our performance was strong, with great cooperation and skills, but communication still improvement. We hope that we can improve further. Everyone gave their best this time—let’s keep getting better!”
Louis and Adam:“There were gains and shortcomings in this competition. We need to improve our skills, strengthen coordination, stay calm under pressure, and maintain humility in victory and grace in defeat. Let’s carry forward the spirit of sportsmanship, constantly improve, and aim to surpass ourselves in the future.”
The players’ incredible effort and determination this year have set a new benchmark for the Cogdel badminton teams. Their achievements reflect not only their talent but also the value of teamwork and perseverance.
We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and look forward to even greater success in next year’s tournament. Let’s keep the Cogdel spirit alive—onwards and upwards!
