Pao School has now been established for a decade. I manage the school archives, and I have witnessed the school though all stages of its development, from its inception to present day. The way the archives have grown – from just a few files to occupying 20 square meters of the file room – mirrors the development of the school itself. It has been an epic journey over these past ten years. We have gone from obscurity to eminence in Shanghai thanks to the efforts of our founders, faculty and staff.
I began working at Pao School in the summer of 2010. I started off in the Shanghai Education Management Consulting Co. At that time, the Secondary Division had yet to be established and the Primary Division was still located in Shanghai No. 3 Girls High School.
It was brutally hot that summer, but the heat of the sun did not deter our three co-founders – chairman Anna Pao Sohmen, vice chairman Philip Sohmen and vice chairman Tan Fuyun. They were constantly outside in the heat inspecting the construction progress on our two campus sites.
The construction process was a journey unto itself. While the builders and the firm consulting on the projects were industry leaders, our co-founders had many specific requirements that needed to be met in order for the facilities to be equipped properly. They were insistent on holding the builders to the highest standard to ensure our students would have the best possible facilities.
I remember that summer Philip Sohmen could often be seen rushing between the two campuses. He was extraordinarily busy, and sometimes had no time to eat. There was always another meeting for him to attend. He would usually grab a box of cookies before he rushed off to his next appointment.
We have come a long way since those days. When we were still located in Shanghai No. 3 Girls High School, students, teachers and staff all had to share a small sixth-floor space. The administrative office was too small to accommodate a typical meeting. If there was an important matter to discuss, the school’s leadership would meet in the office on Xuanhua Road.
Now, looking at the luxuriant campuses on West Wuding Road and in Songjiang, it’s hard to imagine we once had to use borrowed space on the sixth floor of the Shanghai No. 3 Girls High School.
In the spring of 2012, I transferred to the Headmaster’s Office. Here, I am more integrated into the school culture. I can better understand school operations as well Pao School’s teaching methodology.
Headmaster Wu Zijian has had an illustrious 40-year teaching career. During that time, he has encountered and overcome many significant challenges. He has completely devoted himself to Pao School, working tirelessly for its betterment. Headmaster Wu is always the first person to arrive in the office in the morning and the last person to leave in the evening. We can all learn from Headmaster Wu’s professionalism.
It has truly been an amazing ten years here at Pao School. I have learned so many things from so many people here. We all have experienced many trials and tribulations. The common theme over these past ten years has been growth: We all have grown so much here at Pao School: the teachers, students, staff, and of course the school itself.
Eight years ago, when I interviewed for a position at Pao School, my future colleagues asked me: ‘Why do you want to work at Pao School’? I replied: ‘Because I like to be around children’. Now, if someone here were to ask me why I chose Pao School, I would reply: ‘Because I enjoy working with people like you’. Let all of us in the Pao family work together to create a world-class school.
Zoe He
February 26, 2016
