Lessons in Language and Life: Naelle's Story

Naelle is a Y9 student from France. Naelle’s mother Karine mentioned that the family relocated to Shanghai due to work commitments in 2006. Karine is French and employed in the beauty industry, while her husband is Belgian and works in logistics. Naelle’s older sister, Leanne, was also a student at Pao School, enrolling in 2008, and is currently pursuing Art and Culture studies at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Leanne’s studies focus on the influence of Asian cultures on artists and their artwork. The bilingual and bicultural education provided by Pao School has undoubtedly played a significant role in nurturing her passion for this field. This is the fifteenth year in which the family has had a child at Pao School.

Karine recalled that Leanne was attending a bilingual kindergarten in 2008, and the family sought a primary school that provided a more bilingual education, which was a limited option at the time. Following discussions with fellow parents, they were introduced to Pao School and decided to enroll Leanne during the school's developmental phase. Karine is keen to express her admiration for Pao School. She appreciates its exceptional commitment to bilingual education and its wider educational philosophy. She especially highlights its dedication to character education, noting the work of the parental character team and storytelling team within the Primary School. These parent-led teams engage in organizing charitable initiatives and community projects both within and beyond the school premises. They also collaborate with teachers to deliver character education lessons directly to the students, helping to foster holistic education that integrates values between school and home. Karine emphasizes that, as a parent, she has come to recognise the significance of character education, witnessing its impact on her children. Reflecting on her own schooling in France, where such emphasis was lacking, she acknowledges the value of educating character and deep involvement in her children's development. Inspired by Pao School's ethos of ‘Compassion, Integrity, and Balance’, she has herself embraced these principles in both her personal and professional endeavors.

Naelle at Primary School sports day

Having seen Pao School develop over so many years, Karine is well-placed to reflect upon the changes there. "Over time, the school has made remarkable strides in bilingual education,” she notes. “Not only has the curriculum become more balanced, but the quality of teaching has also significantly improved." 

Naelle at Primary School

Being of French-Chinese descent, Karine values the significance of Chinese language proficiency in today's globalized world. She strongly believes in the importance of language-learning for children, and that it needs to be broadly conceived, to include cultural context. Karine has observed her daughter's impressive linguistic progress at Pao School, which has accompanied seamless integration into Chinese cultural traditions. 

Today, Naelle speaks fluent Chinese, without any accent, and effortlessly sings the latest Chinese songs. Her deep respect for Chinese language and culture is made clear when she speaks admiringly of her peers' ability to recite ancient poems from memory during the annual Chinese Poetry Competition at the Hongqiao Campus. Her numerous travels across China's breathtaking landscapes have further deepened her appreciation for the country and its natural beauty.

In Year 8, Naelle participated in the Zhixing China Programme, a school-organized outdoor activity that involved  travel to Chengdu with her friends, where they explored the local culture and cuisine. A highlight of the trip was her unforgettable visit to see pandas up close. This year, she has enrolled in the ‘Pushing the Limits’ excursion to Yangshuo, Guangxi, and eagerly anticipates the opportunity to acquire survival skills, while engaging in activities including rock climbing, caving, and river tracing — which will all be new experiences for her. Outside class, Naelle engages in discussions about popular Chinese music and movies with her classmates. She has recently been studying Chinese cinema in her Chinese class, and this has provided her with a deeper insight into Chinese culture. Her older sister Leanne, who was raised in China, also harbours a strong affection for Chinese culture. "Leanne is particularly interested in Chinese and Asian artists and their work,” Karine says. “The bilingual and bicultural teaching she received at the school  continues to inspire her."

Naelle fondly describes Pao School as a welcoming community, brimming with friendly teachers and classmates. It is a place that has instilled in her a sense of security and bolstered her confidence. Following in her sister's footsteps, she embarked on her Pao School journey in Year 1. While her memories of primary school are beginning to fade, certain experiences remain vivid. She happily recalls her PE lessons, and the enlightening Exploration Unit, which broadened her horizons beyond textbooks. 

Naelle struggled with mathematics when she first entered the middle school. She gratefully remembers the support given by both teachers and her peers in Year 7, whose guidance she diligently sought. This led to a significant improvement in her mathematical proficiency by Year 8, culminating in her first A grade in the subject. After advancing to high school, her math teacher, Mr. Lawson, helped her tackle tough problems, which boosted her confidence further. Naelle now proudly shows off her math skills to her sister, in a humorous fashion.

From her early years in Primary School, Naelle was transported back-and-forth from campus on the school bus, alongside her peers. By the time she reached Middle School, however, she was able to confidently navigate the underground system, to reach school independently. Now, in High School, she has embraced a new phase of life, by boarding at school, which offers still greater autonomy. During each of these stages, Naelle has steadily grown in independence and maturity, not just in her daily routines, but also in her academic pursuits and personal development. As Karine remarks, "The boarding facilities at Songjiang Campus offer invaluable support, allowing a smooth progression towards the complete independence of college life."