As winter break begins, campuses in Changsha remain vibrant rather than quiet. Art and sports training programs have quietly commenced across many primary and secondary schools, while vocational institutions are heating up their competition preparations, creating a lively scene where "every school has its unique features and every student persists in their pursuits." Learners of different ages and fields are shining brightly in the cold winter.
Winter training continues without interruption, with campuses nurturing hidden talents. On February 4th, the football field at Changtangli Primary School in Yuhua District was alive with winter break football training. Young players, dressed in uniform training attire, carried out basic drills such as passing, receiving, and shooting around cones under the guidance of their coach. "My winter break plan is to improve my football skills and finish my homework early so I can spend more time practicing," said Liu Yuyan, one of the young players.
At Changtangli Primary School, the schedule for winter art and sports training was set long ago. Football training started the day after final exams ended and has continued for over ten days so far. The training covers students from grades one to six, with time slots carefully divided to suit different needs: basic training for grades one to four in the morning, and sessions for grades five and six in the afternoon, allowing for more space and longer practice times. The training frequency remains consistent with the regular school schedule at six sessions per week. "Winter and summer holiday training has long been normalized; it has been this way for decades," explained Wang Lei, a physical education teacher and football coach at the school.
In addition to the football team, the school's table tennis team is also bustling with activity during the break. Coach Chen Zhenyu, who joined the school team after graduating from university in 2017, has been coaching for eight years. His team includes students from grades one to six, all of whom are promising talents capable of representing the school in competitions at various levels. "Winter training started on the same day final exams ended. We practice six days a week, resting on Sundays, with sessions split between morning and afternoon each day," Chen noted. He added that training during the winter break yields better results compared to the school term—children are more focused, and with increased training time, practice becomes more systematic and diverse, allowing for finer skill refinement. "The kids are already accustomed to the training routine; there is hardly any reluctance or laziness," Chen admitted. The positive training atmosphere encourages active participation, and everyone understands that holidays are the best time for rapid improvement, making them cherish the opportunity. Their holiday lives are greatly enriched through table tennis.
At Changjun High School, table tennis training is also in full swing during the break. "Our training follows two models: full-day and half-day sessions," said Fang Guiyu, the school's table tennis coach. Full-day training runs from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, while half-day training is concentrated in the afternoon from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. The tight schedule ensures that players build a solid foundation and enhance their competitive skills.
The dedication seen in middle school competition venues and rehearsal halls is equally moving. At Changsha Experimental Middle School, the dance team resumed regular training the day after their "In the Name of Dance · Growing Toward the Sun" New Year performance ended, adhering to a strict principle of "the stage may be dark, but training never stops," as they prepare for upcoming competitions and shows. The recent performance attracted nearly 20,000 online and offline viewers, with students showcasing their skills through pieces like "Qian Journey" and "Growing Toward the Sun." Behind the brilliance are late-night lights in the dance studio and sweat shed in the cold winter.
Meanwhile, the Yali High School symphony orchestra hones its skills in the rehearsal room, focusing on everything from tuning individual notes to achieving seamless harmony between sections, precise rhythm control, and delicate emotional expression. The young musicians polish each melody with utmost concentration, strengthening their collaboration and professionalism through ensemble practice.
Under the guidance of Coach Bai Lin, the basketball team of Changsha No. 6 High School continues to compete, building on their recent victory as champions of the 2025 Hunan Provincial Youth Basketball League (U18 Men's Group). They use real-game scenarios to identify weaknesses and refine tactics.
Preparation for competitions never stops, with dedication forging glory. The "Chuyi Cup," a top-tier event in Hunan's vocational education sector, serves as a benchmark for assessing students' professional skills and a vital platform for promoting "competition-driven teaching, learning, and reform." Aiming for outstanding results, participants across various events have adopted an immersive training model during the winter break, with instructors providing full support and precise guidance, collectively writing a story of perseverance in vocational education.
At Changsha Aerospace School, preparation sites for short video production and drone operation and maintenance are bustling with activity. Participants in the short video production event know they must complete three modules—planning, video production, and reflection—comprising seven tasks within four hours, a tight and demanding schedule. During the break, they spend days in the training room, refining every step from creative planning and material shooting to video editing and audio-visual integration.
Similarly, the maternal and infant care event at Hunan Medical Vocational Secondary School is filled with determined effort. To build on their 2024 provincial first-place achievement, participants Tan Yujia and Wu Jiaxin have forgone family gatherings for intensive, closed-door training. The competition emphasizes the integration of "post, course, competition, and certification," featuring theoretical tests, comprehensive practical skills, and care plan design and presentation—a comprehensive exam for maternal and infant care practitioners. During preparation, the pair repeatedly practice skills from infant massage and feeding to postpartum care, ensuring every move is standardized and meticulous.
Despite facing fatigue and setbacks—creative blocks in video production, errors in drone control, or imperfect practical skills—the participants never give up. "Giving up rest during the break is tough, but improving ourselves and bringing honor to the school makes it all worthwhile," Tan Yujia shared.
Throughout the process, instructors remain on duty, living and training alongside the students. They not impart professional knowledge but also offer psychological support, helping participants adjust their mindset, build confidence, and foster a strong, collaborative spirit.
Targeted strategies and training for excellence yield fruitful results. Whether in primary and secondary school winter training or vocational competition preparation, the approach始终坚持 "tailored teaching and precise efforts." Coaches and instructors design customized plans based on team realities and student foundations, ensuring that persistence leads to growth and produces impressive outcomes, highlighting the solid foundation of Changsha's education system.
The football training at Changtangli Primary School is a model of "layered cultivation." Coach Wang Lei's fourth-grade team, having identified weaknesses through multiple matches, is focusing on rectifying shortcomings during the break instead of participating in competitions, laying a foundation for the 2026 school year events. First-grade students, experiencing their first holiday training, focus on sparking interest and building basics without rigid competition goals, emphasizing fundamental skills and encouraging an active, joyful break.
"Attendance among middle and upper grades is around 80%, while lower grades see 50% to 60% due to parental logistics or children returning to hometowns. We maintain communication with parents to guide participation," Wang noted. For younger children showing occasional reluctance, coaches provide guidance to help them build perseverance through persistence.
At the middle school level, art and sports training emphasize professional breakthroughs and competition readiness. The dance team at Changsha Experimental Middle School focuses on original works and heritage, using a tiered teaching model. During winter training, students refine classic pieces and develop original choreography. Previously, senior students won first prize in the national eighth primary and secondary school art performance dance category with their original piece "Like a Flower," a achievement rooted in continuous holiday polishing and intergenerational传承.
Interviews reveal that winter training in Changsha's schools goes beyond skill enhancement, upholding the初心 of "nurturing hearts through art, educating through sports, and empowering through skills." Character building and a craftsman spirit are integrated into every training session and mock competition, helping students develop resilience, teamwork, and humility while honing their abilities.
"Getting up after a fall and persevering through difficulties—these qualities stay with children for life," Wang Lei emphasized. For younger students new to group dynamics, conflicts and a lack of teamwork are common. Coaches use football training to gently teach tolerance and mutual support. Through internal teaching matches, they guide first-graders overly focused on winning to understand "respecting opponents and accepting outcomes."
This growth is far more precious than any medal.