Sat, Mar 23, kicks off this year’s Jingkids International School Expo (JISE). Renowned international school principals and admissions officers from over 30 prestigious Beijing international schools will engage in lightning-fast PechaKucha-style speeches. It’s a school selection exhibition that cuts straight to the chase, delivering practical and valuable information without any unnecessary fluff.

This is an efficient school selection exhibition that is completely focused on understanding parents’ needs, avoiding internal friction and traditional marketing tactics.

The biggest innovation of JISE this year is to take a different approach from traditional school expos. Instead of flashy performances that parents easily forget and schools boasting about themselves, schools will succinctly outline their most attractive features to parents in just 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

Can a school effectively communicate its core strengths and address parents’ concerns in the simplest and clearest language possible? Can a representative from the school present their values and the school’s educational philosophy in just 400 seconds, attracting students and families with similar beliefs to join them?

This is a test for both the presenters and the schools themselves. Those who dare to take on this challenge are pioneers and demonstrate their strength.

Let’s meet a few of the speakers.

Jayne Needham is Principal of The British School of Beijing – Shunyi Campus

With over 35 years of experience in education, Jayne has spent 18 years serving in leadership positions at IB international schools in the UK, Dubai, Bahrain, and China. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Exeter in the UK and is certified by the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) program.

Jayne is a lifelong learner and educator who began her career as a mathematics teacher. Over the years, she has taken on various roles, accumulating rich experience in improving teaching quality and enhancing student learning experiences.

In August 2021, Jayne assumed the role of principal at The British School of Beijing – Shunyi Campus. This diverse and dynamic school has provided her with immense motivation to inspire students to set ambitious goals and achieve excellence in both academics and personal development. She is dedicated to making positive contributions to the school, community, and the world at large.

Scott Pare is Director of the Secondary School Department at Tsinghua International School (THIS)

Originally from Ontario, Canada, Scott Pare obtained his teaching certification and principal’s certificate there. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Brock University in Ontario, Canada, and a master’s degree from Columbia University in New York, USA.

Over the past 25 years, he has held positions at schools in Canada, South Korea, and China.

Throughout his career, Mr. Pare has served as a teacher, college counselor, curriculum coordinator, and vice principal. He advocates for improving the student experience, supporting students to make independent choices in their learning, and providing opportunities for growth through a variety of extracurricular activities.

Mr. Pare believes that relationships are fundamental to an excellent educational program, and he has established strong relationships and friendships with every member of the THIS community.

Linda Lin serves as Assistant Vice President for Group Strategic Development and College Counseling at HD School

Linda graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). During her high school years, she studied at Headington School in the UK, achieving top scores in A-level mathematics and economics, and an outstanding IELTS score of 8.5.

With a unique perspective on providing high-quality international education to Chinese students, Lin Yue is dedicated to helping students find their direction and position in the globalized world.

As a founding member and director of HD School, Linda has been involved in establishing schools in various cities including Ningbo in 2014, Shanghai in 2016, Beijing in 2017, Qingdao in 2018, and Nanjing in 2021. She has assisted students in successfully gaining admission to prestigious universities such as Cambridge and Oxford. Linda has also visited over 100 top schools in the UK and the US, including St. Paul’s School/Milton Academy on the east coast of the US, High Tech High on the west coast, as well as historic institutions like Winchester College and Eton College in the UK.

Allen McInnis serves as Head of Early Years/Primary School at the Beijing Canadian International School

With over 20 years of experience in the field of education, Allen McInnis brings extensive expertise to his role, including six years of administrative management and coordination.

He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and management/curriculum and instruction from the United States.

Previously, Allen held positions at various schools, including as the deputy head of high school academic affairs at GEMS Al-Khaleej National School in Dubai, and as the MYP coordinator and PYP mathematics and assessment coordinator at GEMS World Academy in Dubai.

Earlier in his career, he served as the head of the mathematics department at J.B. Tyrell Sr. Public School in Ontario, Canada.

Grace Xia serves as Principal at the Ivy Academy Sanyuanqiao Campus

With 12 years of experience in the international early childhood education industry, Grace is dedicated to creating a safe, free, and loving environment where children feel encouraged to be themselves and dare to explore.

She’s always believed that good early childhood education should encourage children to bravely express themselves and dare to pursue their dreams. Each child is a unique landscape with different talents and interests. As a principal, her mission is to create a safe, free, and loving environment where children feel happy to be themselves and dare to be themselves.

Ivy Academy strives to help children develop a mindset of questioning and exploring, enabling them to think and communicate clearly and precisely while consistently pursuing excellence in all things. They aim to instill in every child the courage for change and inspiration, helping them become brave innovators. Simultaneously, we highly value communication and collaboration with parents, working together to create a harmonious and nurturing growth space for the children.

In addition to the presentations, JISE has created as many opportunities as possible for parents to engage with schools as directly as possible. After each session, parents can interact with speakers and school representatives in the auditorium, posing questions directly to school administrators and principals to deepen their understanding. Throughout the day, there will be over 30 international school consultation booths set up outside, offering a comprehensive overview of Beijing’s top international schools, all in one convenient location.

This year’s JISE is only for one day, so please plan your time accordingly.

We have carefully selected over 30 top-tier international schools in Beijing to participate. Renowned school principals, admissions officers, and frontline educators will engage with parents face-to-face, aiming to swiftly address the challenges of school selection.

This time, we aim to break free from the international education market’s longstanding conventions without deviating from its original goal.

Join us on Mar 23 from 9am to 5pm at the Beijing Hilton Hotel! We look forward to seeing you there!

Find it:
Hilton Beijing 北京希尔顿酒店
1 Dongfang Lu, Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东三环北路东方路1号

Images: jingkids

If there’s one thing that’s grossly underrated at parties, it’s the importance of a good photographer. We spend so much time planning a great birthday party for our kids, but without a professional to capture it all we’re usually left with mediocre phone photos that don’t do our hard work justice.

Here are our picks for family-friendly photographers. These guys specialize in portraits, pregnancy photoshoots, and event photography.

For more kids’ birthday party recommendations, search jingkids tag #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for more recommendations on venues, ideas, and entertainers.

Photographer: Dave Hanssen
Company: Dave’s Studio

How would you describe your style?
“I’d say my studio’s style is more on the natural side for family portraits, more relaxed. However, it really depends on our clients. We like to have an open dialogue with our clients to ensure that they get the images that fit their style the best.”

What makes a great family photo?
“In my opinion, a great family photo is one that feels natural. It doesn’t have to be perfect in every aspect, it doesn’t need to have everyone smiling and looking into the lens. Some of my most favorite family photos are caught when the family is relaxed, joking and playing with each other.”

What tips do you have for families preparing for their shoot?
“Don’t stress, it’s just a photo. My studio is here to help you pick out a wardrobe that goes well with your family, and a shooting location that fits your style. We also do our best to lower the stress level and keep the mode relaxed.”

Contact:

Photographer: Desanka Popovic
Company: The Purest Memories

How would you describe your style?
“Pureness and warmth. That is what people should feel when they get their albums.”

What makes a great family photo?
“Passion. An eye for a detail, connection with clients, patience, calm and peaceful atmosphere, and at the end the way of editing it.”

What tips do you have for families preparing for their shoot?
“Be natural, just to do whatever you do when people are not around. Kiss, hug, speak, love each other. Don’t think about what you’re going to look like, because natural is the most beautiful.”

Contact:
WeChat: Desa991
Phone: 156 0055 0215
Instagram: the_purest_memories

Photographer: Jiehao Chen
Company: Jiehao Photography

How would you describe your style?
“Candid.”

What makes a great family photo?
“Having a great time together on a shoot.”

What tips do you have for families preparing for their shoot?
“1. Patience is limited for most young creatures. Rather than long drives to your ideal location, ask your photographer for nice, hidden spots in town or close to your home. We have everything from ancient to modern, urban to nature. Make sure the most cooperative hours are used on photo-taking, not commute.

“2. Less is more. Color story … shouldn’t be too complicated and taking away from you, the subject.

“3. Be spontaneous…we’ll go along and make it fun.”

Contact:
WeChat: 1527430003
Website: www.jiehaophotography.com

Photographer: Aaron Berkovich

How would you describe your style?
“My style is naturally capturing moments as they happen and finding the angles that really tell the stories of the subjects.”

What makes a great family photo?
“Authenticity. It’s capturing the energy and excitement that really shows the personality of the subject, coupled with a sense of place. I focus on environmental or location-based family photo sessions, to show not only these connections but to allow families to share their favorite places and memories in Beijing with loved ones around the world.”

What tips do you have for families preparing for their shoot?
“Be yourselves, dress comfortably, and have fun.”

Contact:
WeChat: 131 2015 9494
Email: aaron@peking.studio

Photographer: Stacy Dudnyk
Company: Stacy Dudnyk Photography

How would you describe your style?
“I am a lifestyle photographer. I’m trying to tell each family’s unique story in the most natural, true way. I come to people’s homes and capture their lives, their routines, and their relationships. I work with natural light only, which is sometimes challenging but the outcome is always worth it.”

What makes a great family photo?
“Just be yourself – don’t pose – and relax. Trust your photographer.”

What tips do you have for families preparing for their shoot?
“Think about it like a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Also, don’t overthink about the outfits or props. At the end of the day, you and your emotions are [the]things that matter, not the surrounding.”

Contact:
Scan the QR code on the poster above

Photographer: Varvara Kotsebuk
Company: Varya Kotsebuk Photography

How would you describe your style?
“Natural/candid.”

What makes a great family photo?
“Choose a spot that has some significance to the family because it will make the photo more meaningful. As an added bonus, it will help keep young children and pets comfortable by shooting in a location they’re familiar with.”

What tips do you have for families preparing for their shoot?
“Many people consider their pets to be part of the family, and pet portraits are a growing trend, so why not include the furry friends in the family photo? Let the animals roam and interact with the family while you shoot – it could lead to some great candid moments.”

Contact:

Images: Desanka Popovic, Jiehao Chen, Dave Hanssen, Aaron Berkovich, Stacy Dudnyk, Varvara Kotsebuk

Students at AISB-Hope International Enjoy Spring Showcase

On Apr 9, AISB-Hope International celebrated student learning at the Spring Showcase. The day began with musical performances followed by Market Day organized by the upper elementary classes. Elementary writing and art were exhibited. Lower elementary and secondary students hosted learning booths throughout the building, including testing physics with an egg drop challenge and exploring chemistry with an ice cream creation station. It was a fun day for all the students and teachers!

Science Week at 3e International School

3e’s “Early Years Science Week” captivated and inspired their young students as they explored the marvels of science through a multitude of hands-on interactive learning opportunities. The campus foyer was transformed into a science museum, where students could interact with four amazing pieces of equipment originally from the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco.

Daddy-Child Day at House of Knowledge International Kindergarten

On Mar 26, House of Knowledge held a very exciting Daddy-Child Day at our Chaoyang Park Campus. The school invited all students’ dads to join the “Pinewood Train Derby” activity with their children. Everyone enjoyed themselves a lot in this Reggio Emilia-inspired activity by making their own trains, photo frames and racing on the track.

BSB Shunyi Celebrates Earth Week

The British School of Beijing, Shunyi’s Eco-Committee challenged their students during Earth Week to learn about the ways each person can protect the earth and make a difference! Activities included wearing green to raise money for Team Trees, eco crafts, flower planting, no electricity hour, meat-free lunch, reducing food waste and all things eco!

Chinese Culture and Music Concert at CISB

This past month at Canadian International School of Beijing, students from all backgrounds came together to showcase their love of the Chinese language and culture. Music-based acts included dances, piano pieces, violin performances and songs. Other acts included poetry reading and even the famous unique Chinese performance art “crosstalk.” The students worked very hard in preparing for their performances!

Spring in the Courtyard

In April, YueCheng Courtyard Kindergarten shined with splendor and beauty as the spring light passed through branches and leaves, and the fragrant scent of begonia flowers swayed in the spring breeze. Spring in the Courtyard slowly unveiled its secret face in such an ethereal environment. The school held three themed areas: “Spring of Nature,” “Spring of Culture,” and “Spring of Art” for children, parents, and members of the YueCheng community, to present a “Spring Family Banquet.”

NAS Beijing, Shunyi Is Officially Open

NAS Beijing, Shunyi officially opened its brand-new campus for the first time with the school building completion celebration on Mar 12. The school held an explorer-themed campus discovery day, which was the most comprehensive event to mark the opening of the campus.

During the event, NAS Beijing, Shunyi held parent information sessions, themed education salons, student demo classes, extracurricular activity experiences, and campus tours. These activities enabled participants to take a closer look at the school and to understand the school’s educational characteristics.

Harrow Beijing Students Performed Annie

The Harrow Beijing Upper School production of Annie was successfully performed in April. The students and performing arts staff have worked relentlessly to produce the musical. The talent showcased within the production was outstanding. It was a wonderfully collaborative event which brought the whole school community together.

Western Academy of Beijing Alumnus Wins Stanford University Engineering Award

Danny Du joined WAB in Grade 5, graduated in 2018, and went on to study engineering at Stanford University, majoring in computer science. He was recently named a winner of the prestigious Frederick Emmons Terman Engineering Scholastic Award. Du joined WAB high school principal Melanie Vrba for a podcast to discuss his academic accomplishments, plans for the future, and the system that supported him throughout his journey at WAB.

Congratulations to the Beijing International Bilingual School Class of 2022!

With 24 years of experience, BIBS believes in the power of growing! During the admissions season of 2022, BIBS graduates received offers from the world’s top universities, including Brown University and Williams College, as well as UCB, UCLA, UCSD, NYU, and UCL. Congratulations to all the seniors!

Former Executive Vice-President and CEO of IFC Delivered Speech at Daystar

In March, the co-founder of Daystar Academy, Mr. Cai Jinyong, returned to the school to deliver a speech to the high school students. This speech was the first of Daystar’s “Inno-Impact Distinguished Speaker” series. Outstanding individuals are invited to speak on campus to serve as positive examples and encourage students to take action and make a difference.

Dulwich College Beijing’s Drama Production of Romeo and Juliet

Dulwich College Beijing Senior School proudly performed its contemporary rendering of Shakespeare’s famous Romeo and Juliet! The double-cast main characters treated the on- and off-campus audience to two days of vibrant and engaging performances in a beautiful and entirely student-designed set, leading the DCB community through a poignant journey of forbidden love, violent bloodshed, and a few comedic moments!

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 Graduation issue

Join Toni’s Talk this Thursday evening to ask John Brett, principal of British School of Beijing, Sanlitun, what factors really matter when choosing a school as a parent.

John is a musician, a school leader with over 30 years of experience, a book author on curriculum research, a father, and a grandfather. What can John share with us with his experience and insight into primary and nursery education? Join us this Thursday night to find out!

What are the typical mistakes parents usually make when they want their children to study music?

What advice would you give to parents who want their children to learn and develop in music?

When parents are faced with different curricula, what should they really check? What really matters behind the different curricula?

And more…

Let’s have a sneak peek at John’s education theory by reading his article: Six must-have features of outstanding schools.

Images: Jingkids

Parents, teachers, young adults, small business owners, and bloggers, we want you to get involved with Beijing’s wonderful community of international families! Jingkids is looking for more freelance writers to join the team!

Parents and Teachers
If you have a unique perspective, a blog, or simply a passion for education, parenting, or multiculturalism, we want to hear from you! Please send us a previous writing sample, an article pitch, or an idea of how you see yourself contributing to our community.

Beijing Bloggers
Are you looking for an opportunity to guest post? Send us a link to your website, and we’ll be in touch!

Small Business Owners
If your small business would be of special interest to our readership, get in touch! We’ll have a chat about how you could benefit from a partnership.

If interested, please send a request for more information to minayan@beijing-kids.com.

Keep Reading: Get All Your Education Questions Answered at JISE 2022, Apr 9 & 10

Images: Pexels

When should your child start kindergarten? Are they child getting the right kind of international education? What’s the difference between a Bilingual Approach and a Hybrid Curriculum?

Getting straight A’s in school isn’t easy for kids, but choosing the right school isn’t easy for parents either. The term “international school” covers a wide range of curriculums in Beijing and they all differ from one another. That’s why, before you send in your child’s application for the prestigious international school that your friend recommended, make sure you’re familiar with all the options in Beijing.

The annual Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) has been connecting parents to the right schools since 2012. Prospective parents can meet the decision-makers at Beijing’s top international school all in one afternoon.

This year’s JISE will be held on Apr 17 from 10am – 5.30pm at the Jiarui Culture Center.

KEEP READING: The Parents’ Guide To Open House Visits: Navigating Your Way Around Beijing’s International Schools

Images: Jingkids

It might be rainy today, but we actually saw the sun this week! So let’s get outside and enjoy spring! But with kids, there’s always a catch….

And let’s not forget the ups and downs of school time.

Take some enjoyment in your time at home, though. Oh wait…..

Take time to celebrate your bosses too!

At least we have our health, most of the time.

Enjoy your weekend!

KEEP READING: Friday Favorites: Back to Normal With Our Toddlers and Babes

Images: from around the web

Notice anything different on our WeChat lately? We’ve got videos!

Aside from our daily written blogs about all the fun things to do around Beijing we recently decided to add a WeChat video channel to our features as well. Scan the QR code below to follow us. While blogs are great, there are some things that are just better explained by a quick video – like how to get a taxi faster during rush hour or info on Beijing’s cultural tours.

Our plan is to make a video channel that’s both informative and entertaining for your life here in Beijing.

Let’s grow the Jingkids channel together.

KEEP READING: Hi, Mom. I Laughed So Hard I Might Have Peed a Little

Images: Jingkids, pexels

Choosing the right curriculum can have an important impact on your child’s schooling, both in terms of their enjoyment of learning and their future success. Unlike where many of us will have gone to school, where we probably studied a set national curriculum, international schools in Beijing are free (within reason) to design their own curriculum, and the range of options on offer can be a bit bewildering.

To help you make more informed decisions, we have put together a breakdown of some of the most common curriculums on offer. Please keep in mind that this guide is not meant to suggest that any one curriculum is the best or that any one school implements that curriculum better than the others. Each school interprets and shapes its curriculum in a unique way; contact school admissions offices for more information.

Montessori

Age group: ECE/kindergarten

Created by Maria Montessori in the early 20th century, the Montessori approach is founded on the belief that every child should be respected as an individual and allowed to learn at their own pace within the prepared classroom environment. Children are usually taught in mixed-aged classrooms rather than grades, and teachers and classroom assistants will create individualized teaching and development plans that foster a child’s physical and spiritual learning.

Example schools: The International Montessori School of Beijing; The Children’s House Montessori Kindergarten; Etonkids International Kindergarten

Reggio Emilia

Age group: ECE/kindergarten

Reggio Emilia is an innovative approach to early years education in which children are seen as unique, creative individuals who embark on a journey into learning from the moment they are born as part of finding out about themselves, others, and the world around them. Students are active designers of their own educational development based on an environment where they are free to explore and ask questions.

Example schools: House of Knowledge

Multiple Intelligences

Age group: All (primarily kindergarten/elementary)

The multiple intelligences approach to education is based on American developmental psychologist Howard Gardner’s proposition that there are multiple types of human intelligence that represent different ways of processing information, including logical-mathematical, linguistic, spatial, musical, and interpersonal. In terms of education, this can mean individualizing teaching to suit different students and teaching important materials in multiple ways. A multiple intelligences approach can be applied to a range of curriculums.

Example schools: Daystar Academy; Ivy Academy

Bilingual Approach

Age group: All

Less of a curriculum in itself and more of an approach to teaching and instruction, many international schools in Beijing teach in both English and Chinese. The linguistic split varies between schools; it could be 50:50 or 30:70, and students could be taught by co-teachers in different languages or taught in different languages on different days. It is hoped that a bilingual approach will create well-rounded international individuals that are well-equipped to face a job market that often requires skills in multiple languages.

Example schools: Beijing International Bilingual Academy; Yew Chung International School of Beijing

English National Curriculum

Age group: All

First introduced in 1988, the English National Curriculum sets out the content taught in most key subjects in primary and secondary schools across England and in many schools around the world. The curriculum is highly structured, divided into four “Key Stages” covering ages 5 to 16 (or six including ECE and post-16 A-Level examinations), but is also constantly undergoing development, giving it a high standard of learning. Most students in Beijing who follow this curriculum take IGCSE qualifications at 16 and may then choose A-Levels or the IB Diploma program.

Example schools: British School of Beijing (Sanlitun and Shunyi); Harrow Beijing; Dulwich College Beijing

International Baccalaureate

Age group: All

The International Baccalaureate (IB) has a 52-year history of high-quality international education. Taught at schools around the world and with the IB Diploma recognized by many of the world’s top universities, IB is a natural choice for many expat families. IB schools must be authorized and accredited to offer one or all of the following programs: the Primary Years Programme or PYP (ages 3-12), the Middle Years Programme or MYP (ages 11-16), and the Diploma Programme or IBDP (ages 16-19).

Example schools: International School of Beijing; Huijia Private School; Beijing World Youth Academy

Hybrid Curriculum

Age group: All

This type of curriculum can be described as “the best of both worlds.” Some schools in Beijing apply a combination of the Chinese National Curriculum and internationally-recognized curriculums such as the IB, English National Curriculum, or American Common Core Standards. This flexible approach to learning helps build students with a broad range of international education experience. Core subjects from the Chinese National Curriculum may be taught, but the overall teaching approach may be more Western.

Example schools: Beijing No. 55 High School; Keystone Academy; Western Academy of Beijing

Images: Pexels

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 January issue