EDUCATION
Jan/Feb Noticeboard: What’s Happening in Beijing
Congratulations to the ISB Boys Basketball Team
In November, ISB hosted this year’s annual Thanksgiving basketball tournament, The
Great Wall Shout-Out. The International School of Beijing (ISB) Varsity Boys team
placed first. Though they dominated the competition, they were tested by both Sha
Tin College of Hong Kong in a round-robin game, and the Concordia International School of Shanghai in the finals.
The Importance of Traditions
Why do we keep traditions generation after generation? Perhaps it is the need to connect to our past or the knowledge that rituals are the glue that keep societies and families together. Most of us have fond memories of childhood traditions and the comforting feeling of stability and predictability that came with it. Yet sometimes tradition does not fit into modern society and old ways are threatened to disappear completely. beijingkids spoke with students from Harrow International School Beijing to discuss their views on traditions.
I Want to Be a Sculptor
Jeffrey Stephen Miller is a sculptor from Rhode Island in the US. This globetrotting artist has exhibited his work in the US, France, Latvia, Estonia, and China. For almost a year, Miller has taught art at schools around Beijing. He also gives classes at Miller/Reis Art Studios, the center he co-opened with fellow artist Filipa Reis. Besides teaching at his studio, he is currently working on an exhibition at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA). Miller spoke to students at the International School of Beijing about two of his recent projects: a series of giant needle sculptures made up of many tiny parts, and hutong roof tiles made of reclaimed ceramic plates.
December Noticeboard: What’s Happening in Beijing
Congratulations to Dulwich College Beijing
Dulwich College Beijing has been named British International School of the Year 2011, which is part of the Independent School Awards. On November 16, the awards ceremony was held on in Birmingham, UK at the National Motorcycle Museum. This award is based on Dulwich fulfilling the criteria of being an inspirational school based outside of the UK that espouses a British education, and has made a strategic or financial achievement of note. For the official submission, Dulwich College Beijing highlighted student efforts that have been made with local migrant schools in Beijing. The school continues to make contributions to the community through student exchanges, field trips, and fundraisers.
Mirror, Mirror
Victor Kesten, Sweden, 16, has lived in Beijing for eight years
Elizabeth McMillan, Canada, 17, has lived in Beijing for three years
Anne Sophie Kristiansen, Denmark, 16, has lived in Beijing for two months
Noak Jonsson, Sweden, 16, has lived in Beijing for five years
The topic of body image could be an uncomfortable one for teens, as it can be such a personal and subjective issue. Of all the phases of adolescence, high school is difficult enough without having to worry about how you look. Students from the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), however, brought an upbeat and positive light to the subject, explaining how teens are not only aware of and affected by body image concerns, but how they know what’s good for them and what to do to stay well.
I Want to Be a Fashion Designer
California native Candy Lin considers herself extremely fortunate to be doing something she loves: being a fashion designer. She created her own clothing line, candy & caviar in January 2009 and since then she has collaborated with many renowned designers and stylists. Her line has been recognized by distinguished publications and worn by local and international celebrities, like Wang Leehom and The Black-Eyed Peas. She is looking forward to expanding her brand to children’s clothing. As she spoke with Yew Chung International School of Beijing students, we can’t wait to see where her work will take her next.
November Noticeboard: What’s Happening in Beijing
KinStar Has a New Look as BIBA
KinStar International Bilingual School in Shunyi has enjoyed not only a three-fold increase in its campus facilities, but also a complete change of name to Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA). The newly expanded campus now houses three buildings, each dedicated to their kindergarten, elementary and middle schools respectively. BIBA offers both English (US curriculum standards) and Chinese (Chinese National Curriculum) within a creative and stimulating international environment. Students can supplement their studies with a range of sporting, art and music options. Also worth noting is that BIBA is the Shunyi host school for the International Piano Academy of China (IPAC). For information, call 8041 0390, email Karen@bibachina.org, or visit www.bibachina.org.
I Want to Be an Architect
Upon graduation, New York native Edwin Lam was Beijing-bound for the architecture firm Studio Pei-Zhu. In the past ten months, Lam has contributed to various museum concepts and helped design a church in Ningbo. At Beijing BISS International School, the architect presented his ongoing work in Beijing, including two contemporary art museums, one of which was inspired by the art of Chinese painting and another, a proposal to convert an old television factory. He is also working on a series of schools in the Changping district of Beijing. Armed with photos, a 3-D animation flythrough and scaled models, Lam demonstrated the process an architect goes through, encouraging students to look at buildings in a different light.
