The Introduction of International Middle School
2016-03-25
Principal’s Introduction
Middle School represents a major transition in your child’s academic and personal development and growth. In Primary School, children build the foundations for a lifetime of learning, acquiring not just basic knowledge, but also important life skills – sharing, caring, communication, and respect for one’s self and others. Beginning in Middle School, however, they begin to form their identities and to gradually take charge of their own learning. As Middle School students, they will learn to think and act more independently; to use critical thinking to solve complex problems; to be responsible for their own achievement; to explore their passions and interests; and to set long-term goals and work toward them. At Xiwai International Middle School, it is our responsibility to help students along this exciting journey, and give them both the support they need to learn and the freedom they need to grow.To that end, Xiwai International Middle School offers a comprehensive, multifaceted course of study that challenges students to think creatively, discover and nurture their passions, and develop themselves into responsible and successful global citizens. The ultimate goal of most of our students is to study abroad, and at Xiwai, we realize that they will face many challenges when they get there – not just in the classroom, but also in society, as they seek to navigate different cultures and ways of life, and personally, as they cultivate a healthy independence and learn to take care of themselves while pursuing their dreams far from home. At the same time, we recognize the importance of having strong roots – of being well-grounded in one’s own national heritage, culture, history, and traditions, and of being able to represent one’s country proudly on the international stage. In pursuit of this balance, we offer a distinct blend of Eastern and Western, Chinese and international education. Our philosophy of education, our curriculum, and our style of teaching are not the exclusive product of any one country or culture; they are truly global.
As Principal of our International Middle and High School division, I invite you to discover what it is that makes a Xiwai education special. In the following pages, you will find detailed information about our program, our staff, our unique integrated curriculum and courses, and other features of our school. You are welcome to visit, meet our students and teachers, and see for yourself why Xiwai is such an exciting place to learn and grow. I look forward to seeing you on campus!
Sincerely,
Enrico Piccinini
International Middle and High School Principal
Teaching and Curriculum
The Middle School’s innovative curriculum combines intensive, multidisciplinary English language study and project-based learning with required courses in Chinese language and culture, as well as regular excursions to important cultural and historical sites both near and far. Through classes in Chinese culture, students are encouraged to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of their own national heritage and traditions, while a corresponding emphasis on Western-style courses and extracurricular activities – from Studio Art and Music to Photography,
Graphic Design, and intramural athletics – prepares them for the culture and admission requirements of schools abroad. The result of all this academic and cultural synthesis is an education that shapes young adults into both proud Chinese nationals and broad-minded global citizens.
The Middle School’s focus on cross-cultural learning can be seen, not just in the curriculum itself, but in the way that classes are taught and school life is managed. All English classes, for example, are co-taught by one foreign and one Chinese teacher, who plan lessons together, observe each other’s classes, and collaborate on everything from classroom management and communication with parents to developing effective teaching strategies tailored to the specific needs of their students. From their foreign English teachers, students gain exposure to authentic English, an understanding of the varied cultures of English-speaking countries, and firsthand insight into the English-language high school and university systems to which they hope to gain admission. From their Chinese English teachers – many of whom have studied abroad themselves – the students gain invaluable perspective and support from fellow Chinese nationals who understand the specific linguistic and cultural challenges facing Chinese students overseas.
Our determination to provide our students with a global education extends beyond academics into the vastly important sphere of character-building and mentoring – especially critical in a boarding school where students spend their weekdays and evenings on campus, and invaluable for high school students who will soon be leaving the comfort and familiarity of home to live and study thousands of miles away. As in most Chinese schools, students at Xiwai are grouped into homeroom classes. Unlike other Chinese schools, however, Xiwai provides each class with not only a Chinese homeroom teacher, but also a foreign homeroom teacher tasked with providing students with additional guidance and essential information about the unique challenges and opportunities of studying abroad. As with the co-teaching system, the aim here is to combine and consolidate a variety of cultures, experiences, and perspectives to enhance the students’ understanding and well-being.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are an essential part of school admission requirements in English-speaking countries, where students are expected not just to excel academically, but also to challenge themselves and pursue their passions and interests outside the classroom. To that end, we provide many opportunities for students to better themselves and gain valuable experience and life skills. Students can take part in student government through our elected Student Union; volunteer to help the environment and promote sustainable development through Roots and Shoots, a global environmental awareness organization founded by the world-famous Dr. Jane Goodall; participate in intramural sports like basketball and soccer; and apply themselves in Clubs ranging from Music and Dance to Photography and Magazine Journalism. We also offer many opportunities for students to attend study programs in Canada, the United States, Britain, and other countries, where they can gain early exposure to both the challenges and the benefits of living and studying abroad.
Excursion Program
The Excursion Program is unique to Xiwai, and is premised on the belief that the deepest and most meaningful learning takes place outside the classroom and in the real world – where students can apply the knowledge they have learned, expand their intellectual, cultural, and personal horizons, and see how theory translates into practice. Every month, students take at least one day-long field trip to a place of interest connected to what they have been learning in the classroom. Previous locations have included the ancient water town of Wuzhen, with its traditional Chinese architecture and its network of canals; the Shanghai Wild Animal Park, where visitors come face to face with exotic wildlife and deepen their understanding of the natural world and its ecosystems; and a captivating musical performance at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. The purpose of these excursions is to cultivate students’ awareness and appreciation of their own rich cultural heritage, while also instilling in them the values of travel, open-mindedness, and teamwork – all essential qualities for success overseas.
