The YK Pao School 2023 Global Education Forum (GEF) —– entitled ‘Global Citizen, Chinese Heart’ — took place on October 26-27th at the Pao School Wuding and Songjiang Campuses. The first day of the event featured Character Education, a core component of Pao School’s education since its inception. This year’s theme was chosen to honor Mr. YK Pao’s commitment to global perspective while maintaining his Chinese roots.
Distinguished guests attending the first day included Chen Ying, deputy mayor of Changning District; Su Chen, vice president of Shanghai Education Society; Li Weiping, secretary-general, Chen Qiong, deputy secretary-general of Shanghai International Education Exchange Association and Zhang Min, deputy director of Changning District Education Bureau. Renowned educators from both domestic and international institutions, headmasters and teacher representatives from sister schools and government offices, the founders of Pao School, board members, mentors, teachers and parents also attended the session.
Crick Chen, Deputy Principal of the Primary School, hosted the event
For the first time, Pao School invited the guests to join and experience morning classes of the Primary School, to witness the teaching and learning from close up. The guests also watched two demo classes conducted by Chinese and international teachers of the Primary School respectively, to further understand Character Education in process.
The Primary Choir performed two songs, ‘I Want to Become a Tree’ in Chinese and ‘We Are Gonna Make Music for You’ in English , and a Chinese and Western instrumental ensemble piece ‘My Country and I.’
Character Education class meeting “Speaking Truth with Love“
Social emotional class on “Compassion”
Madam Xu Yongchu, President of Pao School, warmly welcomed educators from home and abroad. In her address, she summarized Pao School’s efforts and unique approach of Character Education and pointed out nurturing well-rounded characters is both an expectation from the families and the educational development objective of the government.
President Xu Yongchu addresses the audience
Ms Chen Ying, Vice Mayor of Changning District extended her sincere congratulations on the successful convening of the forum. In her speech, Ms Chen Ying shared the "dynamic education with first-class quality" philosophy in Changning district, and praised Pao School as a crown jewel of Shanghai's international style private education. She encouraged Pao School to continue to strengthen its curriculum and diverse campus culture, and cultivate future talents with both understanding of China and the global issues to eventually take responsibility for building a modern socialist country and a community with a shared future for mankind.
Speech from Ying Chen, Deputy Mayor of Changning District
Philip Sohmen, the Executive Deputy Chairman shared with the audience his reflections on the importance of character in the era of artificial intelligence. “We we are committed to developing strong character in our students by providing enriching experiences, advocating for positive parental and teacher influences, and building strong connections within the community of the Pao School.” he said, “It's not just about adapting them to new challenges, but about helping them become true global citizens in an ever-evolving world."
Speech from Philip Sohmen, the Executive Deputy Chairman
Around its core values of "Compassion, Integrity, and Balance", Pao school has pursued an array of teaching and learning initiatives over the years. These seamlessly intertwine the school’s curriculum with a diverse range of thematic activities, social practices, development of campus culture, and the professional growth of its teachers.
Character Education leaders from the three campuses were joined by student and parent representatives to present Character Education practices in the Primary, Middle, and High School campuses.
In the Primary School, teachers take a comprehensive approach in regards to each student to ensure that Character Education is integrated into all course subjects. Various activities, such as school assemblies, homeroom time, and student-led initiatives, are treated as opportunities for the communication of the school's core values and educational missions. Beyond school-led activities, the Parent Teacher Association also encourages parents to actively participate in their children's education through programs such as Character Parents, Storytelling Moms and attend regular educational seminars of innovative educational concepts and practices.
Primary School Character Education from Nectar Wang, Director of Lower Primary
Speeches from Parents
Teachers in the Middle School play a vital role in Character Education, serving as models shaping students' ethical development. Through the moral education curriculum, co-curricular and Zhixing activities, and community service, middle school team integrated the Character Education program with experiential learning. Programs such as the House system, Young Pioneers, and Students Government are also used to stimulate students' intrinsic motivation.
Middle School Character Education from Daniel Nichols and Shane Xin
In High School, students are expected to engage in Character Education throughout their academic studies, boarding life, and extracurricular activities. Teachers encourage their students to reflect on their own character attributes and develop a responsible attitude towards their own learning processes.
Through participation in these activities, students extend their learning beyond the confines of the classroom, and gain opportunities to apply the principles of Character Education in real-world situations. Since the establishment of the high school in 2011, student-led programmes have evolved beyond their initial focus on social services work to encompass environmental protection; education equity; support for the elderly; poverty alleviation; and the provision of assistance to minors and vulnerable groups. Many of these projects have been passed down through successive generations of students, demonstrating the enduring practical consequences of Character Education within and beyond the school community.
High School Character Education from Zang Na, High School Deputy Principal
Speeches from students
As a conclusion to the conference, Su Chen, Vice President of Shanghai Education Society and Supervisor of Private Colleges and Universities of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission spoke highly of Pao School’s Character Education conference . He pointed out that Character Education not only requires correct guidance and long-term cultivation, but also requires consensus among schools, families and society, and even more importantly, it requires the combination of theory and practice.
Character Education has had a profound impact on all three campuses. The Primary School hosts frequent Special Olympics activities with students from the school for special needs students. Middle School students visit nursing homes, while High School students venture into mountainous regions, providing much-needed educational resources to the children there. These endeavors exemplify the core value of ‘compassion’ that is promoted within the School.
Student roundtable
To further enhance Character Education at the School, the Pao School Foundation introduced the ‘Social Action Fund’ on its 15th anniversary. The fund is designed to encourage students to engage social services for the benefit of the community.
Global Education Forum Second Day
The second day of the GEF featured a workshop for all school staff, centered upon the theme of Global Citizenship. The workshop began with an address from the Executive Headmaster, Mr. Mark Bishop, who emphasized the importance of ‘Global Citizenship with a Chinese Heart.’ He shed light the need and challenges in nurturing an global citizenship among students.
Speech from Mark Bishop, Executive Headmaster
Dr. Eeqbal Hassim, a globally recognized expert in intercultural education was invited to deliver an online keynote speech entitled ‘Advancing global citizenship through intercultural learning.’ Following the speech, the three campus staff held discussions on key priorities of the school, ranging from the promotion of global citizenship and the enhancement of curriculum alignment across the campuses for the teaching staff, and cross culture understanding for the administrative staff.
Primary School
Discussion led by Crick Chen, Deputy Primary Principal
Middle School
High School
Administrative Staff
