This week, classes began for our primary and high school students, while middle school students at our Hongqiao campus will begin the academic year next Monday.
Renovations carried out over the summer to upgrade facilities in our Wuding, Hongqiao and Songjiang campuses were a resounding success.
Hongqiao Campus
This summer, Pao School made major improvements to its Hongqiao campus, adding two science labs, four additional standard classrooms, a teacher office, and an admin staff office, and building a new canteen and kitchen. Some other spaces were upgraded as well, such as the auditorium. Further, the 680 square-meter indoor amphitheater is nearly complete. It will be an ideal sports venue for Pao students with a constant temperature and humidity and PM2.5 levels below 30 µg/m³.
Science laboratory
New teachers' office
Auditorium
Highlights of this year’s renovation work are the new-and-improved kitchen and canteen. The canteen has been moved from the basement to the first floor to create a bright and open dining environment. The new design, specially selected tables, chairs, and vertical greenery on walls make for a charming dining space.
Canteen
David Mansfield, the Executive Headmaster of YK Pao School, congratulates the Hongqiao campus on the completion of this transformational renovation project and hopes Hongqiao teachers and students will continue to work together toward building a truly outstanding middle school.
Celebrating the opening of the new canteen at Hongqiao
Songjiang Campus
Over the summer, important improvements have been made to the Songjiang campus, boosting the overall quality of its facilities. Firstly, we renovated and upgraded facilities in residence halls (Phase 1). In particular, we introduced high-performance fresh air systems and air conditioning systems that allow for better climate control and air quality. Outdoor air passes through three filters, ensuring the indoor PM2.5 concentration staying below 30 µg/m³ even when outdoor pollutants exceed the standard.
High-performance fresh air and air conditioning system
At the same time, we also renovated the Wellness Centre. With the support of the Songjiang District government, the exterior facade has also been upgraded.
Wellness Center renovated
The upgraded facade of the building
Finally, Tea Bar, a favorite of both teachers and students in Songjiang, underwent a successful renovation. It has now reopened, featuring decor that reflects an environmentally friendly theme and the principle of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle". Founder of YK Pao School, Ms. Sohmen, oversaw this project and designed the lights in the bar herself.
The environmentally friendly Tea Bar
Eco-friendly chandelier designed by Mrs. Sohmen
Wuding Campus
In line with teaching needs, Primary School remodeled the classroom, concentrated the functional classrooms in the East Building, and lay down new surfaces on the two main outdoor sports areas.
New surfaces for outdoor sports areas
Pull-out room and withdrawal room
Ceramics studio
The operations team worked throughout the summer break, completing all renovations in time for the start of the new academic year——an impressive accomplishment given the limited time available for such large-scale renovation work. President Wu Zijian supervised the work to ensure that the renovation process was running smoothly.
All of our renovations are designed to support the educational objectives of Pao School. Concerns for students' health and safety are at the heart of our projects.
——Lucy Liu, Deputy Head (Operations)
Before the school year began, Philip Sohmen, Co-founder and Executive Deputy Chairman of YK Pao School, visited the campuses and reiterated the importance of maintaining high-quality standards for the trust of the parents.
Mr. Philip Sohmen visited Pao School campuses
As we begin the 2019-2020 school year, Pao School will keep striving to ensure that all students achieve the best possible results, and provide students with a rich and consistent learning experience that prepares them well for university life and their future careers.
First day in class on Wuding campus
"The classroom remains our core focus. But this is not to the exclusion of the whole person development agenda. In the early days of the school's history, the Founders of Pao School defined the characteristics of our education," says Executive
Headmaster David Mansfield. "They have not changed."
Teachers gave a tour of the campus on the first day of class at Songjiang
President Wu Zijian attended the opening ceremony of the new canteen on August 30 at Hongqiao. In his speech, President Wu says,
In each of the newly renovated campus, I hope that our teaching team, under the leadership of the principals, will assist the students as they make steady progress and well on their way to become future leaders who are strong in characters and innovative at work.
——President Wu
