Contributed by:
Liu Lixin, Alumni parent (Sam's mother, joined Pao School Year 1 in 2009,
graduated from the high school in 2021, is now attending Tufts University)
Sam joined Pao School on September 1, 2009. Sam was with the school for 12 years - from the first day of Year 1 to the last day of Year 12.
At the end of 2008, we were searching for a school for Sam. We heard from a friend of a new school with a different teaching philosophy, that had physical education classes and focused on whole-person education. After speaking with the founding principal of the school, Mr. Warren Johnston, we decided to apply and felt very fortunate when Sam was accepted.
First day of school
On the first day of school in September 2009, we brought Sam to the school playground, there Principal Johnston took his hand to take him to join Class D. After the first day of school, we asked Sam about how it went. He said that the lunch was delicious and that he had eaten 12 dumplings. Sam has been enthusiastic about Pao School ever since.
In Year 2 and 3, Sam was taught mathematics by Ms. Lucy Lu, who we will always remember due to her genuine care for the children. Sam has always been a lively and imaginative child, and as parents we often worried about his self-discipline. During Parent-Teacher Days, we were always very nervous, and so didn’t expect to hear many good things about Sam from Ms. Lu. However, she told us Sam enjoyed maths, is smart, a quick learner, and often asks follow-up questions in class. Her words made us feel very happy and relieved, our confidence in Sam increased and we were able to view his development more objectively.
Sam and his classmates at Wuding campus
Year 5 was Sam’s final year at the Wuding campus. At the time, before the Middle School was established on the Hongqiao campus, all students were preparing to begin their middle school studies at Songjiang, with many planning stay as boarders.
Meanwhile, there were four male students in the class, including Sam, who did not initially receive an admission letter from the middle school. The school informed us that we needed to communicate with them to confirm Sam’s matriculation status. Those two weeks were a trying period for our family, perhaps the most stressful situation Sam had ever experienced at that age. He thought that Pao School would not let him continue his studies as he frequently got in trouble at school and needed to improve his self-discipline.
Sam then took it upon himself to write a letter to Principal Crick Chen. In the letter, he expressed his sincerity about improving his shortcomings and his strong desire to attend middle school at Pao School, live on the Songjiang campus, and be with his classmates and friends. Sam still recalls when he personally handed the letter to Principal Chen. When we received the school’s confirmation letter two weeks later, Sam's mood brightened. Through this experience, he learned to appreciate the most important things in life.
Sam's 12 years at Pao School not only shaped his life for the better, but also had a positive impact on myself and Sam’s father. When my husband is not working, he finds time to play a leading role in the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), including supervising cultural and sports hygiene, advising Songjiang campus’ infirmary on waste disposal procedures and supporting the school cafeteria’s food supply chain on behalf of other parents. He also discusses business management concepts and participates in football games, off-campus excursions and serves as a non-staff doctor on the PTA’s cycling team.
Sam together with Sarah Magnussen Link, University and Career Counsellor
Pao School is the most important part of our life as a family. We have met a group of like-minded parents and friends here, who will continue to play an instrumental role in our lives. We are grateful for all Pao School has done for us and wish the school the very best in its future endeavours. We hope that it will continue to have a far-reaching and positive impact on education both domestically and internationally.Pao School is the most important part of our life as a family. We have met a group of like-minded parents and friends here, who will continue to play an instrumental role in our lives. We are grateful for all Pao School has done for us and wish the school the very best in its future endeavours. We hope that it will continue to have a far-reaching and positive impact on education both domestically and internationally.
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