"As this semester has begun, everyone’s happiness at reuniting can be seen on their faces - the campus has come to life once more. Thanks to the efforts from Pao School community and beyond, the start of the semester has gone smoothly.
It is clear that all staff, Chinese and foreign, have worked extremely hard. As for the recent graduates, they had some common words to share with the community: Pao School has given us the freedom to think independently, make our own choices, and room to grow.
As the new semester begins, it is clear that the world continues to change rapidly. I hope that our students will continue to display the same curiosity, enthusiasm, perseverance, and unity for which they are known. I hope that they can continue to study hard so that, one day, they will walk with confidence onto the world stage!”
—— Xu Yongchu
President
This week, Pao School students returned to campus to resume their studies. After the tranquil months of summer, the campus has come alive with the return of teachers and students for the start of the new school year. Everyone has been eagerly anticipating the return to school and seeing friends and teachers after such a long time. It is clear from the look in everyone’s eyes that they are glad to be back.
In preparation for the new school year, each of Pao School’s three campuses has begun strictly implementing the government's three-day, two-part inspections and other epidemic prevention and control requirements. In addition, the school has meticulously arranged preliminary preparations such as sterilisation and cleaning. Staff members from the General Service Office of the three campuses also organised school buses, school meals, and property personnel to conduct necessary training on campus safety, alongside epidemic prevention and control, to ensure that students can return to school smoothly.
In Middle School, we welcomed our new Principal Ada Wang. Ada Wang received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Northeast Normal University and is currently pursuing a PhD in International Education Management at the University of Southern California. She has studied at both Brown University and Harvard University, and has 18 years of teaching experience overall. In Shenzhen, she worked at the Shenzhen Middle School for 11 years and served as the Director of the International Curriculum Division and Dean of Students’ Affairs Office. She also participated in the establishment of Shenzhen Science High School. In 2015, she was sent by Shenzhen Middle School to Vanke Meisha Academy, where she served as the founding principal, council member, and secretary general. She has been recognised as an outstanding teacher in the Shenzhen education system and has rich experience in the field of bilingual international education as well as education reform and innovation.
“It is my privilege to join you as the Middle School Principal and Head of Hongqiao Campus to lead the entire team that has brought so much success to our campus in recent years. The Campus Leadership Team and the PTA have been working with me to show the uniqueness of Hongqiao campus, and the qualities that make it successful. I am looking forward to the coming opportunities to meet you, share with you, and continue to move our middle school forward in the traditions that have already brought us so much success.”
—— Ada Wang
Middle School Principal and Head of Hongqiao Campus
Reusing resources for the public good
Donated materials arrive at the Central Primary School in Kuibage Town, Zepu County, Kashgar, Xinjiang
Pao School focuses on a philosophy of reuse, reduce, and recycle in its renovation and construction work. Every year, the school donates used furniture and books to good courses. Following the leadership of the purchasing department, the Primary School and High School started participating in a philanthropic project last year to benefit disadvantaged children in primary schools in Kashgar, Xinjiang. The project is organised by Jiangchuan sub-district in Minhang District, and has supported the donation of old chairs and desks to schools in need.
Donations are packed and ready to be sent to recipients in Yunnan
This year, Pao School continued to cooperate with the Jiangchuan sub-district of Minhang District, by organisings a philanthropic project focusing on poverty alleviation in Baoshan, Yunnan. This charity work allows Pao School to reuse resources and save on the cost of disposal of the donated goods. In the future, Pao School hopes to continue being involved in such public welfare initiatives, as well as cooperate with other schools to support more groups in need.
As mentioned by Primary Principal Siobhain Allum in the new semester principal's letter to parents: On Wuding Campus we will be trying to improve our approach towards sustainability by focusing on the 3 Rs (Reuse, Reduce and Recycle). We hope that you will work alongside us to try and reduce the amount of waste generated on all levels both here at school and at home. With the climate change crisis looming ever larger and already significantly impacting our lives, teaching our students about their roles and responsibilities and how their single actions can make a difference is really important, and the home school partnership in this work is essential to its success.
Campus Upgrades
During the summer holiday, with the cooperation of the General Affairs Departments, the project team led renovation and construction work on each campus. Under the leadership of Professor Anna Sohmen Pao, Chairman, and Philip Sohmen, Executive Deputy Chairman, the design plans of each campus took into consideration all aspects of campus study and life.
On Wuding campus, the music classroom has been completely renovated to maximize the space. It can now accommodate a full set of musical instruments and provides enough rehearsal areas to fully meet chorus and other musical rehearsal needs. Further, as the music classroom is based in a 1960s building with an outdated roof, this year the project team completed a roof replacement and strengthened the building’s overall structure. In addition, the carpet in the library has also been changed to provide students with a better reading experience, and an awning has been added to the outdoor play area on the fourth floor to better shield students from strong sunlight.
On Songjiang campus, in addition to the daily maintenance of more than 80 small projects, the project team has refurbished the running track and has embarked on a phased transformation of the science laboratory to keep its resources state-of-the-art.
In addition, the Hongqiao campus has also completed a number of daily maintenance projects.
In contrast to previous years, it was especially challenging this year to successfully complete renovation work. In previous years, the project team would start various preparations at least half a year in advance. This year, renovation work did not resume until June. The project team had to deal with a variety of challenges, ranging from high heat and humidity, as well as strict epidemic prevention policies. Despite all the challenges, the team finished all the projects in time to welcome the students back to the beautifully renovated campus.
"I am very grateful to the Founders for their personal detailed design work, to our Board for their commitment to providing our students at all three campuses with excellent facilities, to individual donors who have generously given to the Foundation and to our operations team who have worked tirelessly over the summer to ensure that everything is on track for the beginning of term."
—— Mark Bishop
Executive Headmaster
