Introducing O’le Music
The people behind O’le Climbing and O’le Ski have teamed up with professional musicians to launch O’le Music, a series of fun music education programs. The first – Shout! – is a “rock choir” open to singers of all skill levels and using a no-notation system. This month also marks the launch of the Trash Bash program, in which kids are taught to make music with everyday objects. O’le Music will offer its programs to the public and as after-school programs. For more information, visit www.ole-music.com.
Atelier Rolls Out Birthday Services
Budding artists are in luck. Atelier now offers art-themed birthday parties for ages 6 and up. Teachers design a special theme based on the birthday boy or girl’s interests. At the party, they and their friends can work on a collaborative painting, create a book, or take an art history workshop. After the class, parents are invited to view the children’s creations while eating birthday cake and opening presents. For more information, contact Atelier at atelier@atelier.cn.com.
Daystar Completes Sports Field
Daystar Academy recently completed the resurfacing of its sports field with artificial turf donated by the school founders. The upgrade is designed to reduce sports-related injuries, as well as Daystar’s environmental impact, by conserving water that would otherwise be used to water grass.
Art Bug to Offer Kimochi English Classes in December
Art Bug recently became the only authorized venue in mainland China to teach English using Kimochis, the award-winning educational toys from Australia designed to let kids express their feelings in a fun and safe way. The goal is to provide communication tools to parents, teacher, and children, as well as foster confidence in kids. Starting from next month, Art Bug will offer Kimochis English class for ages 4-12.
New Speech Therapist at HoK
House of Knowledge International Kindergarten (HoK) recently welcomed Speech Therapist Sophie Horn. She studied Speech and Language Therapy in Germany and holds a Master’s in Clinical Linguistics. She has helped children and adults with speech and language difficulties such as stuttering, specific language impairment (SLI), and aphasia. Horn speaks German, English, conversational Dutch, and basic Finnish and French. She will mainly focus on HoK students, though her services will be open to the Beijing community.
SIBS Welcomes New Principal
Springboard International Bilingual School (SIBS) has a new Principal, Charlie Mackenzie.
Originally from the UK, Mackenzie has taught for 25 years at international schools in Shanghai, Malaysia, Tanzania, Thailand, and several European countries. He holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education. He moves to SIBS with his wife Jasmine, who teaches Mandarin and mathematics at the school. They are avid Shanghai Shenhua soccer fans.
PFS Moves to Larger Digs
Positive Foundations School (PFS) moved to a newer and larger location at 2099 Gahood Villas in Shunyi. Founded in 2009, PFS is an international preschool that blends an American curriculum with a Montessori teaching philosophy. Located next to Gahood Park, the school now has 500sqm of space and can accommodate more students. Facilities include more classrooms, a library, art and music rooms, and a large indoor play area. In addition to two lead teachers from the US and the UK, PFS recently welcomed Nursery Class Lead Teacher Laura Rico.
Huijia Sanyuanqiao Campus Grows
Since opening in February 2013, Beijing Huijia’s Sanyuanqiao campus has increased its facilities to a total area of 2,500sqm and counts students from more than 13 countries. Under the leadership of Principal Adele Kirkby-Clark, the school offers a bilingual learning environment with a curriculum based on the IB Primary Years Programme.
Photos courtesy of O’LE MUSIC, DAYSTAR, ART BUG, ATELIER, HOK, SIBS, PFS AND HUIJIA
This article originally appeared on p18-19 of the beijingkids November 2013 issue.
Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com