As the summer gently unfolds, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) successfully hosted the “End of Term Tea” gathering on the afternoon of Tuesday, 16 June 2026. Held in the cozy interior of Ganso Café in Huitong Village, the event brought together teaching staff for an afternoon of relaxation, reflection, and celebrating the conclusion of a busy semester.

Scenes from the event

Despite the summer rain outside, the café’s warm and tranquil setting provided the perfect backdrop for faculty to unwind. The rhythmic sound of the rain and the comforting ambiance of the space created a welcoming atmosphere, offering a peaceful retreat from the demands of teaching and daily work.

Dr. CHAN (top), Dr. JISSOV (bottom left), and Prof. YAN (bottom right) delivered opening remarks 

Designed as a lighthearted platform for connection, the event featured several engaging highlights. The even first began with a warm welcome from CTL Director Dr. Vivien Wai Wan CHAN, CTL Associate Director Dr. Milen JISSOV, and CTL Educational Developer Prof. Edith Mei-Yee YAN. Afterwards Dr. CHAN hosted the celebration of the new volume release of Innovative Teaching and Learning, featuring insightful sharing sessions by Guest Editor Prof. Matthew James SANSOM, Department Head of the Department of Music (DMUS) and Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning from the School of Culture and Creativity (SCC), along with contributing authors Prof. Paul DOORNBUSCH, Visiting Professor from SCC and Dr. Craig COOPER, former Lecturer at English Language Centre (ELC).

Prof. SANSOM (top), Prof. DOORNBUSCH (bottom left) and Prof. COOPER (bottom right) sharing their experience on publishing an article in ITL journal 

Subsequently, the "Table Talk" segment, hosted by Dr. Georgiy GREBNYEV, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS), transformed the afternoon into more than just casual conversation. It became a purposeful space where colleagues could engage in honest exchanges, sharing not only pedagogical strategies but also the subtle judgments, dilemmas, and compromises that define the real fabric of teaching. In these moments of mutual listening, the event gently reminded everyone that professional growth is seldom solitary; it flourishes when we make room for each other's experiences, and when we recognize that the unspoken ethics of our work, whether care, fairness, or humility, are woven into the everyday practice of how we teach and how we learn from one another.

Scenes from "Table Talk" segment

More than just a social event, the "End-of-Term Tea" serves as a meaningful pause to appreciate the shared journey of the past semester. The event concluded on a warm and uplifting note, giving faculty a valuable chance to ease semester-end pressures, draw inspiration from one another, and reaffirm the strong sense of community that defines BNBU's teaching network.

Group photo of participants