The Weekly Howl
(UISG NEWS Dec 15-19, 2025)

01 Spotlight on Early Years
02 Primary School Overview
03 Secondary School Updates

Dr. Daniel Mullen
Head of School

December 19, 2025: A Message of Gratitude and Best Wishes for the New Year

Dear UISG Community,

As we close the chapter on 2025, I reflect on the amazing year of celebration, learning, growth, and collective achievements. We capped it off perfectly today with our amazing whole-school holiday assembly—a vibrant celebration of our students’ talents and community spirit. I am honored to be part of our wonderful UISG Community!

On behalf of our dedicated faculty and staff, I extend our warmest wishes for a peaceful and joyful holiday season. May this time be filled with cherished moments with your loved ones. As we step into the New Year, and the Year of the Horse, we hope it brings you health, happiness, and success in all your endeavors.

We eagerly look forward to welcoming everyone back for the first day of classes on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Until then, stay safe, treasure the moments, and enjoy a wonderful and rejuvenating break.

Kindest regards,

Dr. Daniel Mullen
Head of School
Utahloy International School Guangzhou

2025 – Whole School Holiday Assembly
– Dec. 19, 2025

01 Early Years ▼

Celebrating Community at the Gingerbread Market

Our Early Years community came together for an unforgettable Winter Assembly this week, transforming the playground into an enchanting Gingerbread Market! Students shared heartwarming class performances, and families explored a wonderland of creative activities—from cookie decorating and a festive obstacle course to pinecone crafting and face painting. It was a joyous celebration of community and creativity, perfectly capping off the year with warmth and holiday cheer.

02Primary ▼

Primary Choir Shines at Top Plaza

On Wednesday, December 17, the UISG Primary Choir delighted the public with two wonderful performances at Top Plaza. Students sang five songs of varying styles in two-part harmony. The choir showed impressive international representation by singing songs not only in English, but also in Swahili and Hebrew. Ms. Shannon and Ms. Jessie were impressed by the cheerful, professional behaviour displayed by the choir members, who made UISG proud. At the end of the shows, Top Plaza staff gave UISG a performance certificate and they kindly sent each student back to school with their own personal certificates and gifts. Thank you to all of the organizers, staff and parent helpers for making this concert such a wonderful experience for all!

03 Secondary ▼

Fieldwork in Focus: ESS & Biology Trip to the Botanical Gardens

The G11 and G12 ESS and Biology students participated in a field trip on Monday 15th December to the Botanical Gardens of Guangzhou. The students practiced skills for their assessments including laying transect lines and quadrats to assess biodiversity, sampling water for total dissolved solids rates and inspecting species adaptation of plants within the different biome areas the greenhouses within the park. We had perfect weather and students collected lots of useful data for analysis back in the classroom for their field reports.

# ESS and Biology #
G11 & G12

Grade 10 Personal Project Exhibition

The annual Grade 10 Personal Project Exhibition opened this week, showcasing the culmination of our students’ intensive, self-directed learning in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

Attendees explored a diverse range of student work, from scientific investigations and technological prototypes to artistic creations, community service initiatives, and cultural studies. Each project was the result of a rigorous process where students independently planned, researched, created, and reflected on a personal learning goal. This exhibition was a fantastic demonstration of student agency, critical thinking, and creativity.

Student Led Secondary House Competition

The energy was high this week as our student leaders took charge of the annual Secondary House Competition. Here’s what two of our leaders had to say:

“I am so glad to finish the first ever student-hosted house event. All secondary students were busy with exams and assignments these days, and I want to thank to all Tigers and Warriors house captains who tried their best in this project. This event was meaningful since there were two sections which are physical and intellectual and it made the competition more inclusive. Just like this event, I hope our students based house event to be more engaging and interesting in the future.” John G10S

“The Dance Battles station tasked four houses with delivering 60 seconds dance performances outdoors. The venue was exposed to strong sunlight and high temperatures, but all participants stayed fully committed throughout the session, showcasing remarkable confidence, seamless cooperation, and unwavering house spirit together.” Via G10S

04 Whole School ▼

End-of-Semester Staff Family Celebration

As Chair of the Social Well-Being Committee, I was thrilled to host the annual end-of-semester staff family function! This year’s highlight was a seasonal buffet luncheon lovingly prepared by Miss Eva and her amazing canteen team. For the first time, we will welcome friends and families from our Zheng Cheng campus, making this celebration even more special. Santa agreed to drop by with gifts for staff children — thanks to our hardworking HR team for helping him check his list! Plus, our Staff Secret Santa gift exchange happened across the Guangzhou campus; and conclude during Friday’s luncheon, with Santa and his Head Elf, Miss L., delivering surprises to staff. We shared great food and celebrated a semester of hard work and achievements before we rest, relax, and reconnect (near or far) as we rejoin our other families outside of school. Happy holidays and seasonal greetings to all!