Joaquin and his classmate emceed the
Foundation Year Advancement Ceremony.
and collaboration. They often work
together in pairs or groups, learning to
be considerate and mindful of each other,
and to listen to what each student has to
say. Such a combination of curriculum,
pedagogy and environment is difficult to
replicate. At the moment, the Keystone
model is highly specific, and I believe it’s
the future of education.
on Chinese culture, history and identity is
essential for a true mastery of Mandarin.
Father: Given Patricia’s and my own
diverse backgrounds, it is important to us
that Simone and Joaquin grow up with a
broad cultural appreciation and openness,
which will allow them to pursue their
interests and goals in whichever part of the
world they may find themselves. Living in
China, and absorbing Chinese culture and
One of the key elements of our school is the history is a significant step towards that
Chinese Thread. As an expatriate family, goal.
why would you choose a school that has
a strong emphasis on Chinese culture, What have your children’s experiences
history and identity?
been in their first academic year?
Mother: Mastering a language goes Mother: Our children love their friends
beyond classroom walls. I’m no expert, but and if we are away on holiday, they often
I know that the way people live, and the tell us how much they miss them. In a
things they believe in, define their needs very short time, they have been able to
to communicate. As a result, an emphasis form very strong bonds with most of their
classmates. However, their interactions
are limited to when they are in school. It
would be great if they could see each other
in other social settings as well.
How do you, as expatriate parents, manage
communications with teachers and other
parents?
Mother: Our teachers are conversant in
English, so I generally feel comfortable
approaching them directly if there is a
need. The classroom mothers – a parent
representative for each class – are also
helpful if we have a problem. I enjoyed
participating in the Halloween celebration
in our children’s class. It gave me an
opportunity to meet all the children and
some of their parents, and share an
American tradition that I am very familiar
with.
www.keystoneacademy.cn
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