And so, It's back to school we go

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A major makeover as a new year welcomes new students          

This year is a significant one for Concordia International School Shanghai as August marks our 20th anniversary.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, members of our current school community, as well as some of our alumni faculty, students and families, gathered on campus for a weekend of festivities. Special activities included a Phoenix picnic and a fun run relay, a history walk around the campus and a celebratory dinner honoring our founders and former heads of school. There was something for everyone, and it was truly a memorable celebration! 

The 2018-19 school year officially began on August 15, when we welcomed back returning families and had the pleasure of getting to know several new ones. This year marks another milestone at our school. For the first time in Concordia’s history our student enrolment passed 1,300. We are excited to have so many wonderful students and families making up our growing community. 

As students entered the campus, they were met with several new features and redesigned learning spaces. For instance, our Early Childhood division received a new spot on campus complete with purpose-built classrooms and play areas; the Elementary School makerspace was transformed into a learning lab; and we added a shared Chinese language and culture suite.

 We will continue to focus on the potential for new and creative uses of space and facilities on our campus. With the help of architects, we are currently reimagining a new facility design with the goal of moving new projects toward a decision this year.

With so many exciting things already taking place and with even more to come, we, as a community, are encouraged and look forward to another remarkable school year at Concordia!

(The article is contributed by Mary Scott, head of School at Concordia.)

Welcome back to school

A warm welcome to all our families for the academic year 2018-19. We have had an exciting start to the term with the renovation in the Junior School and Senior School looking amazing! In addition we have the new Senior School Science Block — a fabulous addition to already outstanding facilities. It has been wonderful to see and feel the excitement from students as they have walked around what feels like new schools.

We are of course welcoming new families to the College today as well as new staff. They are joining a great community that I feel fortunate to be part of. Our new staff have had a couple of weeks to settle in and have been desperate to meet your children. Exciting learning opportunities have been planned for the year ahead!

I look forward to seeing you at the various coffee mornings and Meet the Teacher events that have been organized by friends of Dulwich or the schools.

(The article is contributed by Caroline Taylor, head of Dulwich.)

Creating a dynamic environment for a dynamic community

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year at Shanghai Community International School. Our schools first opened in 1996, and since that time we have experienced phenomenal growth, development and success. A dynamic international community of teachers, students and parents, excellent facilities, and a holistic approach to learning framed within the IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) places us at the forefront of international education in Shanghai. At SCIS, you will find an academically rigorous, college-preparatory program balanced against our desire to foster students’ artistic, athletic and global citizenship endeavors, with our ultimate mission to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring learners who contribute positively to their communities.

SCIS is and always has been a family school, and through our growth and change, we have kept to our belief that school should be a warm and welcoming place where each student is nurtured and challenged. Our distinctive setting in this cosmopolitan city affords us an understanding of people from around the world. Considering the above, it is only natural that our schools become the fabric that weave our dynamic international community together. It is this unique combination of internationalism, strong academics, varied activities, arts, warm atmosphere and personalized approach that make us successful. All of us now look forward to the year ahead. We welcome you whether you are joining us for another year or are enrolling for the first time.

(The article is contributed by Daniel D. Eschtruth, director of schools at SCIS.)

A sense of anticipation as students and staff start a new journey

As the 2018-19 new academic year commences for Shanghai Singapore International School, there is a tremendous sense of anticipation as students and teachers embark on a new learning journey with state-of-the-art facilities. 

The recently completed aquatic center has a pool with six competitive lanes and a 200-seat spectator stand. The new facility also boasts dance and table tennis rooms with a gym, equipped with the latest fitness equipment, overlooking the pool. Golf has always been a sporting pillar at SSIS with students and teachers using the putting green and driving range to improve their skills. Further expansion of the program will include a golf simulator on campus and elite students who have reached the “top of the game” to have the opportunity to regularly visit Sun Island (Kunshan) and play golf competitively. 

The Primary School will introduce an engaging interdisciplinary approach that integrates science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The new “maker space” facilities with state-of-the art 3D printers, Lego construction, digital labs and robotics, will complement the cleverly designed STEAM lab. It is intended to foster a culture of team work, collaboration and design thinking. The STEAM program will help students make connections across subject areas as they invent, analyze and explore concepts.

SSIS builds strong partnerships with the community by engaging them in the learning journey through events such as the International Family Bazaar, and International Friendship Day. The Parent Support Group lounge is in the foyer which is at the heart of the school. Our parents are involved in all areas of school life, providing feedback for school improvement. Through parent workshops, our counselling department, administrators and other professionals provide parents with insights on topics such as university matriculation, raising teenagers, how students learn and cyber safety.

(The article is contributed by Terry Senior, principal of SSIS.)

Celebrating a landmark 25th anniversary with major changes

We are absolutely delighted to welcome the YCIS Shanghai community to the 2018-19 school year. With the celebration of a milestone for our school, the opening of new learning spaces, and a new leadership structure, we have much to be excited about.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of YCIS Shanghai — a landmark achievement for the school and the city. Our doors first opened in 1993 as the first independent international school in Shanghai, and we have grown exponentially over the years — opening our fifth campus in Shanghai at the end of the last academic year. 

Throughout this school year, we are looking forward to celebrating our anniversary in many different ways with our students and their families. 

It was a busy summer across all our campuses, with renovations, building projects, and the implementation of new technologies. We are thrilled to present our community with enhanced learning experiences and fresh new opportunities only available at YCIS.

We are also eager to share our new organizational structure, which will enhance the manner in which we all work together to create the best outcome for the young people in our care. 

This promises to be a special year and we are very excited to share the celebrations with, and beyond our wonderful community. On behalf of every faculty and staff member, we welcome our students back on campus and look forward to nurturing every child so that they may reach their full potential this year.

(The article is contributed by YCIS Shanghai.)