Recap: 8th International School Expo

ShanghaiFamily上海家庭

Wow that was a fun Sunday! We at Shanghai Family hosted our International School Expo at the Pudong Shangri-la, East Shanghai. The expo was co-sponsored by HuMaNiuWa and Parents&Kids; it was attended by leading education experts, top school reps and parents of students from top international schools. The event attracted over 3,000 participants across an action packed day.

Sessions included panels with international education experts, a roundtable for parents, the finale of an Art & Writing competition and a Principal’s Roundtable. A panel given by parents reflecting on their experience of sending their children to the most respected schools was another of the highlights for families in attendance.

In addition to the forums, there were stands for bilingual kindergartens, schools and international high schools. Over 40 international schools assigned key staff members to answer queries on all things educational, providing an invaluable resource for parents. The expo was also attended by entities from related industries – medical service providers, real estate agencies and organizers of parent and child activities.

1. Social and Emotional Skillsets

At the beginning of the Parent's Forum, Susie Zhang gave a lecture on social and emotional learning. Susie is a certified educator whose philosophy is based on the importance of "respectful relationships" that show equality and continuity, similar to the concept of parental love and strength in family from Chinese tradition.

Susie Zhang

Certified Parent/ Senior Instructor of the Positive Discipline Association, USA

Founder of Wise Edu Plus

Then came Tang Lanlan, Stanford Mother & author, who, on the strength of her studies and experience in China and the U.S. over ten years, shared her insights into how to "bring out the best out of children in the age of globalization."

Tang Lanlan

Stanford Mother & Author

2. Parents Get Involved

During this session, notaries including Tang Lanlan, Forbes cover star Kevin Lee, CEO of edtech company Bangdai, Brian Ong and psychotherapist Yan Xiaoyu from Shanghai United Family Pudong Hospital got together to explore the question of 'preparing our children for the future', each bringing a unique set of observations on raising families in Shanghai and around the world, to the delight of the audience of parents and children.

2. Parents De

3. Framing the Best of Art & Writing

For the Art & Writing Competition, we received over 1,000 art pieces and over 100 writing efforts from the 33 international schools, bilingual schools and kindergartens.

During the ceremony the recipients and their families, as well as school deans and art teachers all gathered for a charity lunch. The charity fundraising effort managed to gather substantial donations, all to be directed to Shanghai Aihao Rehabilitation Center. Liu Le, director of the centre, received the contribution before representatives from HuMaNiuWa, student representative Bella from Harrow International School Shanghai and the Shanghai Charity Foundation.

School Art Exhibition

Art& Writing competition Award Ceremony Lunch

Ms Xie Lingli, vice-chairman of Shanghai Charity Foundation (second left)

Mr Xu Xiongxin, vicesecretaries-general of Shanghai Charity Foundation (third left)

Liu Le, director of the Shanghai Aihao Children Rehabilitation Center (left)

Jenny Wu, general manager of SF&PK&HuMaNiuWa(second right)

4. Principal Forum

The Principals' Forum this year aimed at constructing a new platform to explore international education. Well-known principals from top schools shared their views on cutting edge development in pedagogy. Future trends on student development and different educational modes among international schools were covered in depth.

Charles Ellison, Headmaster of the Harrow International School Shanghai, Iain Riley, Principal of Shanghai Liaoyuan Bilingual School, and Xu Chengzui, Vice Principal of Shanghai Experimental Cambridge International School all participated in the forum.

Principals in deep discussion

During this conversation, Charles Ellison observed that Chinese students are disciplined, open-minded and study-loving – but also that their development is affected by the constraint of having limited free time to explore new interests. He believes that students should better balance life and study, to leave sufficient space for play, exploration or even being bored, to protect their curiosity and drives.

Charles Ellison

Principal of Harrow International School Shanghai

Iain Riley agreed, adding that in his school, traditional culture is balanced with inquiry-based learning. This helps to prepare students that are life-learners. honest, responsible, modest, empathetic and having the vital critical thinking to cope with an ever changing world.

Iain Riley

Principal of Shanghai Liaoyuan Bilingual School

Xu Chengzui focused his remarks on senior high school education, saying that the aim of education is not competition. According to Chengzui, the root of educational anxiety today is the lack of good resources for learners. He suggested that when children are younger, more attention should be given to holistic cultivation; afterwards, during senior high school, students can concentrate more on studies, adding to their chances of admission into elite schools.

Xu Chengzui

Vice Principal of Shanghai experimental Cambridge International School

5. Talking Your Way into Top Schools

The space outside the panel was abuzz with activity. Parents were able to have intimate chats with over 40 top bilingual schools and international high schools, getting to know each school’s ethos and admission policies. All in all, many families were helped in their efforts to lay a solid foundation for their children’s education.

The most important part...

6. Large-Scale FUN for Kids

On the third-floor gallery pieces crafted by the children were on display. The space was decorated with calligraphy and traditional Chinese paintings, giving children the chance to express their talents.

"Impression of Shanghai" Painting

Easter Egg Painting

Wall of Love

Legoland

Making cupcakes

After experiencing all these events, participants got to wear designer raincoats made by Petit Bateau from France. The elegant, yet simple rainwear found its way to dozens households.

This educational forum would not have been possible without the generous support from the Shanghai United Media Group, The Paper, Shanghai Observer, Shanghai Morning Post, East Educational Press of Shanghai Educational Press Group, Shanghai Sheng Xue, First Edu, YOUKU and many more.

We want to say a big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful sponsors, insightful guest speakers and participating exhibitors for their fantastic support and collaboration, as well as the FAMILIES who made our expo a day to remember! We look forward to the next event and without your support this would not be possible.

Little Urban Center Preschool / Future Grow Academy

Concordia International School of Shanghai

Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong

Yew Chung International School of Shanghai

Nord Anglia Chinese International School Shanghai

Finance EMBA Program- Fanhai International School of Finance, Fudan University

Shanghai Community International School

Shanghai United Family Pudong Hospital

Shanghai Shangde Experimental School

Little Scholar Academy

R&F UK

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Shanghai

PureSmile

One Step Ahead

OneSmart Study Tour

MYKIDS Academy

Essence Eyecare Clinic

Games Workshop Warhammer Alliance

Concord Academy

ATHENA Academic English

Kobold

Shanghai Liaoyuan Bilingual School

Sino European International Private School

Mengya Montessori Home

Kang Chiao International School

Yew Wah International Education School

J.Shine Kindergarten

Nord Anglia International School(NAIS) Pudong

Vanke DTD Education

Lycée Français De Shanghai

Shanghai Hong Qiao International School

Shanghai Experimental Foreign Language School

Melody International Bilingual Preschool

International Art Education

You Yi Xue Tang

Sports Lab

Oogie Art

The Second Foreign Language School Affiliated to Shanghai Normal University

Blue Castle Academy

Petit Bateau

See you again for our autumn School Expo!

Those of you who couldn't make our day and want to see more pictures

please scan to view our photo stream, please scan the QR code below.

We published the fantastic art in Parents&Kids and Shanghai Family

Click “READ MORE” to subscribe to our magazines

We hope you will all feel very proud to see your wonderful master pieces in print!

继续滑动看下一个