On Wednesday afternoon, our school's little theatre hosted an exceptionally engaging mock trial. Grade 10 pupils took on the roles of witnesses, lawyers, and court staff, re-enacting the unfolding of a complicated case before the jury and the judge. Both sides presented their cases impressively. Throughout the trial, the questioning by the prosecution and defence met with strong objections and cross-examinations. Although the judge eventually ruled in favour of the prosecution, the performances from both sides were astonishing.
Grade 10 pupils spent weeks preparing for this mock trial, studying the law and evidence diligently. They drafted opening statements and closing arguments in groups. During the litigation process, the prosecution and defence submitted their evidence, presented their arguments, and conducted direct and cross-examinations of witnesses and parties involved. In the debate phase, after the presentation and challenge of evidence, both sides engaged in flexible arguments over the authenticity, relevance, and admissibility of the evidence. The pupils were relentless in their note-taking and strategic planning, ready to exploit any weaknesses in the opponent's arguments. Finally, each side summarised and concluded their points, providing a comprehensive overview of the case in light of the trial conditions, all in the hope of swaying the jury's support.
The spectacular performance and professionalism of the pupils left the jury and audience in attendance in awe. In addition to their campus-based research and studies, Grade 10 pupils also visited the Nantong Intermediate People's Court last week, where they observed the public hearing of a real case. Witnessing an actual court hearing allowed the pupils to gain a deeper understanding of the judicial process and atmosphere. Besides the court, they also visited the Beijing Yingke (Nantong) Law Firm to acquire additional related knowledge.
At Hiba Academy Nantong, learning is not confined to textbooks and knowledge within the classroom, but is also about broadening pupils' horizons and honing their practical abilities through meaningful activities such as this. This event allowed Grade 10 pupils to gain a more intuitive and realistic understanding of the legal profession. They realised that the law is not merely cold text, but a living practice, with each statute carrying profound social significance. We anticipate that our pupils will find their interests in a more diverse educational environment and, through interaction with real-world professional settings and society, uncover their potential and achieve personal growth.
