What’s happening in Beijing’s international school community? Experience cultural heritage, sports matches, and more in this month’s Circuit.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience at Beijing No. 55 High School
On March 29, teachers and students from Beijing No. 55 High School International Students Section went to Daoxianghu Intangible Cultural Heritage Science City. They experienced an intangible cultural heritage project and were impressed by the site. The activity was enjoyable and left the students with a deep appreciation of Chinese civilization and traditional culture.

We All Scream for Ice Cream at BCIS
As part of their studies on innovation, Beijing City International School (BCIS) students decided to hold a pop-up store for three consecutive days, selling sweet frozen treats to excited and happy ES students for a charitable cause.

2019 Harrow Ducker
On March 28, Harrow Beijing held its annual Harrow Ducker at both its Main Campus and City Campus. As a traditional running race, the Harrow Ducker commemorates the contribution of John Lyon, the founder of Harrow School.

Around the World at BWYA
On March 22, Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA) Primary School embraced their cross-cultural spirit for their “International Day.” With assistance from the PTA, the classrooms were decorated in many different countries’ styles, and diverse cultural cuisines were also served as students played games and explored new cultures together.

ISB Hosts APAC Track and Field
The International School of Beijing (ISB) hosted the APAC Track and Field tournament on April 13-14. The event welcomed students from six other schools to compete and test their speed, strength, and agility in traditional running, throwing, and jumping events. The ISB boys’ team placed second, and the girls’ team placed fourth overall.

DCB Students in London for Dulwich Olympiad
Eighty-three Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) students participated in the week-long Dulwich Olympiad in London this past March, which celebrated 400 years of Dulwich College. More than nine hundred students from eleven Dulwich schools engaged in art, music, drama, and sports in venues such as the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the Olympic Pool, and Track.

University Fair at BSB Shunyi
The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) hosted the “Beijing International Schools’ Spring University Fair.” Hundreds of students and parents met 95 University Admissions representatives from around the world who helped to inform students at BSB and the larger Beijing Community about their many future possibilities.

G10 Personal Project Exhibition at CISB
This year, the Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) held its G10 Personal Project Exhibition to much success. Students were given the opportunity to challenge themselves and all participants deserve to be proud of their hard work.

The Fourth Reading Week of HoK
During the first week of March, House of Knowledge (HoK) held its fourth annual Reading Week. During this year’s event, House of Knowledge held fun and interactive activities, games, role-playing activities, and field trips across its three campuses- Shunyi, Chaoyang Park, and Xinglong.

Supporting the Children of Stars on World Autism Day at Beijing BISS International School
A public welfare event entitled “Just Like You” at Beijing BISS International School was held recently with the aim of raising public awareness about autism. The money raised from the auctioning of paintings submitted for the event will be allocated to autistic artists and for the rehabilitation of autistic people through the China Social Welfare Foundation.

Easter Fashion Show at Journey Academy of Beijing
Recently, students at Journey Academy of Beijing dressed up for a fashion show with Spring-themed costumes to display their interesting fashion sense. Following the show, teachers and students also celebrated the Easter holiday together.

Building a Love of Reading at YCIS Beijing
Yew Chung International School of Beijing recently celebrated Literacy Week, a festival of reading, literature, and storytelling. As part of their Literacy Week celebrations, the school hosted visiting authors including Paul French, Curtis Jobling, Martin Kiszko, and Antoinette Portis.

This article appeared in the beijingkids May 2019 Identity issue.
Photos: Courtesy of featured schools.

The students rushed to class to greet their teacher, eager to show off the glittery, goofy, colorful creations bobbing atop their heads for the school’s annual “Crazy Hair Day.” However, when they entered and saw their teacher, they met her with gasps and laughs; their teacher was every bit as passionate about the activity as they were and had ensured that every strand of her hair stood on end like a troll doll.

“Crazy Hair Day” is just one of the many fun and offbeat activities that CBD-based AnRic Little Montessori Room holds for its students every year. During a recent interview, co-founder Yinan An (who is also a lifetime member of the American Montessori Society), along with lead teacher and assistant principal Jennifer Sau, discussed how such outside-the-box activities foster creativity and a sense of community at the school.

Crazy Hair Day gives kids a chance to let their creativity run free

“We don’t celebrate holidays in a conventional way at this school,” explains An. “A lot of holidays, even Children’s Day, have become very commercial, and have too great a focus on buying gifts. We want to have people rethink those notions and focus on education, community, and deeper values.”

AnRic acknowledges and values that different cultures celebrate different holidays, but tries to celebrate those holidays in a more creative way, all the while eschewing commercialism and gift-giving, and aspects that can label a culture. The AnRic staff encourages alternatives like introducing certain foods and traditions or stories regarding the holidays. Case in point: introducing children to the many versions of Santa Claus around the world.

The school’s staff encourage that approach not only with “Crazy Hair Day” — an event that encourages risk-taking and showcases students’ imagination and sense of fun — but also with community-driven events like “Special Visitors Day,” potluck breakfasts and dinners, a New Year party, and a summer fair.

AnRic’s most recent New Year Party, an event enjoyed by students, teachers, and parents

In recent years, AnRic’s summer fairs have happened in conjunction with neighboring Central Park, where bazaars and markets are sometimes put on. While there, students sell homemade snacks or other wares, the proceeds of which are entered into the school’s financial aid fund for children who require financial support for tuition fees, fund facilities for special needs students, and other initiatives. Similarly, on “Special Visitors Day” students are allowed to bring in a guest such as a friend or relative i.e. people who aren’t normally involved in school activities. 

At the school itself, AnRic Little Montessori Room’s staff endeavor to build a sense of community for the student body and their families. Close ties are fostered during annual potluck dinners and breakfasts, for which the highly multicultural student body and their parents stack their classrooms with “everything from baozi to sushi to Swedish meatballs” according to Sau, who adds that this seemingly simple activity offers students a crucial opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures.

Events and activities large and small are a major part of the annual calendar at AnRic

AnRic also holds home visits for all children at the beginning of the school year, which can be a valuable opportunity for the students to play host to their teachers, show what their home life is really like and also help with separation anxiety. Then there is, of course, the New Year party, one of AnRic’s biggest annual events. The New Year party serves as a chance for the students, parents, and staff to gather, dress up a bit, and enjoy a delicious feast together. More importantly, it also helps children develop a sense of art appreciation. Children’s individual artworks are put up for silent auction so children, families, and friends may bid for them. Each class also has an auction for their own annual art project, a collaborative masterpiece of art that every child and teacher in the class helps to create. All the proceeds go to the school’s financial aid fund.

An and Sau say they are heartened by how these activities help the students bond with one another. Another benefit: the enthusiastic reaction of the parents. An says, “We are excited to see the parents join us and get involved. We are lucky to have very supportive parents.”

This post is paid for by AnRic Little Montessori Room.

Photos: AnRic Little Montessori Room